"and now, the end is near...."

Yes, tomorrow is the last day of the grading period. Report cards will go home a week from then. It's an anxious time for most of us...excited about spring break a few weeks off and thinking about grades!

We wrapped our Gold Rush simulation today. The experience was engaging and gave the kids the opportunity to collaborate. The results were mixed. We had a group lose their earnings when lured by greed, and we had several groups who bet all of their earnings on the unknown and walked away as millionaires! The kids know that tomorrow brings the end assessment for the unit.

We ended our day with a visit from the drama department of UCSC. The prepped the class for the upcoming "Romeo & Juliet" performance on the 17th.

Kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due next Friday)
-Math 85 (1-30)
-science vocabulary due tomorrow (with in-class quiz)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Hola Miercoles

Howdy all. The trimester is winding down. The kids have been given plenty of notice about they are responsible for this week, especially in terms of assessments that will take place on Friday. Friday brings a Gold Rush / Statehood exam and a science vocabulary quiz. We'll be wrapping up our Gold Rush simulation and our reading of The People of Sparks on Thursday.

A student informed the class today that Staples is having a .50 cent sale on white board markers. The kids run through these like mad, and will use them in the 5th and 6th grades as well. Might be a good time to stock up!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Library books due tomorrow
-Reading Log
-Math 84 (1-20)
-Science review questions 1-8 on page 236 of the textbook
-Reading practice book page 257

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. The kids were troopers this morning while working with a ridiculous 4th grade state writing prompt. I am frustrated by State testing in general, becuase the results are not made available to yourselves or I until after the school year ends, and are used primarily to address funding. I applaud the classroom's efforts all the same.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math 83 (1-200
-Science workbook pages 94-95
-Reading practice book pages 251-252

Respectfully, Mr. B

Welcome to the Working Week

Howdy all, and welcome to what will surely be a groovy week. The last week of the second grading period is upon us, and the kids are undoubtedly excited knowing that only twelve weeks of school are left looming on their summer horizion. This week will bring the wrapping up of our Gold Rush and Statehood studies, our State Spring Writing samples (Tuesday & Wednesday), our final performances with SPECTRA (Friday) and a visit from the UCSC Shakespeare-To-Go program on Thursday (1:15 - 2, guests are more than welcome). Please remember that next Monday brings us our trip to Ano Neuvo for the elephant seal tour and hike. I'll e-mail chaperones and drivers no later than Wednesday.

Green Folders have information from Alicia Steinhart regarding classroom support for the May 9th Golf Tournament and Auction. Please be on the lookout for it!

Kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Reading Practice book page 250 (nearly all completed in class)
-Math 82 (15-30)
-Science vocabulary (due and quizzed on this Friday)
-Science workbook pages 96-97 (started in class)
-Green Folders back ASAP.

respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. What a gorgeous day and week we are having. The weather has been amazing, and the kids are crawling wildly out of their winter shells. As many of you know, and for those of you who don't, next Friday is the final day of the second grading period. Much will be happening in the next week as we wrap up our studies of California statehood, the Gold Rush and "Sadako".

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due next Friday)
-Math 81 (1-20)
-Sadako packets (should be completed)
-Pizza Reports (due the 29th, sent home last week in January)
-Statehood and Gold Rush vocabulary (sent home Monday, with quiz tomorrow)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Wednesday!

Just a few quick notes. Both the Sadako literature packet and pizza book reports are due on Friday. The end of the grading period is a week from Friday on March 7th. All work that is missing (you received that with progress reports the other week) may be turned in through Thursday the 6th.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading log
-senetences, pages 51-52
-Reflections review pages 68 & 69

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and Wednesday

Howdy all! I need to make a quick change in tomorrow's Board Meeting announcement. The meeting begins at 7, not at 6, with the doors opening around 6:30. Please remember to fill out an intent to speak card early if you plan on sharing words. Thanks again, and I apologize for confusion with the start time.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Reflections WB pages 66-67 on conflcit resolution
-Science WB pages 90-91 on adaptations
-Pizza Reports and Sadako packets are due on Friday

Respectfully, Mr. B