little protestors!

Howdy all. I am super impressed with the efforts of the Girl Scouts to raise awareness of the State Budget issue / crisis. Our very own Emily, Haley, Jessica and Beth were in front of the school collecting signatures after class today. They were joined by sixth grade students who had created picket signs designed to draw parent and community support! Way to go!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due tomorrow)
-Math 19A (due tomorrow)
-Biome study guide (due tomorrow)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Short Wednesday

Howdy all. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Math 99 (all)
-library books are due tomorrow
-continue studying for Friday's land biome quiz. Study guide due that day as well.

The kids are aware, and now you are too, that they will need to submit a science fair question and hypothesis that will guide their projects next Monday.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. We had fun with a smelly invisible ink project today. If the kids are interested in completing the assignment again at home, simply mix equal parts onion juice, lemon juice, and add a dash of granulated sugar. Let it dry, and then hold the paper up to a bright light. The acids in the juice will eat away at the paper, making the areas exposed to the mixture brighter than the unexposed areas! Truly secret agent stuff.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Math 98 (all)
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-continue studying for Friday's land biome quiz

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Monday

Howdy all, and welcome to the working week. The kids are getting antsy realising that there are but eight weeks of school left! I honestly cannot blame them, as my mind is leaning toward floating leisurely in Lake Tahoe for a few weeks.

This week brings about a change in homework and focus as the kids have been given the outlines and expectations for their science faire projects. With the WWII report information and expectations going home last week, the kids now have an ample amount of work to keep them occupied for the duration of the school year. The kids will still be responsible for math and reading logs on a nightly basis, but should focus their efforts on the WWII and science projects.

As far as testing is concerned, we will have short quizzes on material that we cover, but substantial unit tests are all but finished. The kids can expect Theme tests for the literature units as we complete them, but larger science and social studies tests are done. Math tests will continue as they have, with tests after every 5 lessons. The state STAR testing will take up the first two weeks in May. I am really hoping that these don't increase stress levels for the kids. I will attempt to keep the testing environment relaxed. We'll make cider and cocoa each morning. Testing will last 4 days, spread out over two weeks and will consist of math and language arts. The kids took their writing exams in March. You'll get results for all of these lovely experiments in aptitude over the summer.

Finally, whew, I am happy to announce that the class will be making a movie! During our STAR testing window, we'll be filming a movie on Cow Hill (behind the school) that we will premiere at the Open House on May 22nd. We'll need help with props, so I'll keep folks aprised of required goodies as we get to filming.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Green Folders
-Math lesson 97 (all)
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-study for land biome quiz this Friday. Biome study guide due at that time, but cannot be used for quiz.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Good Times

Howdy all. Thanks to the kids who brought in leaves for our study today. We learned how to classify them by the shape and edge. Very fun. Speaking of fun, tomorrow afternoon brings us our BIG SPIN assembly to honor students who excelled in academics and modeled good behavior during the second trimester. We'll be in the MPR from 1:15 - 2 if you would like to join us.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math 18A
-Biome study guide cover ( needs to include title and name, and should include a color illustration that represents the subject matter.)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Hola Miercoles

Howdy all. I completely neglected to remind the kids to gather a leaves for tomorrow's science experiment. If folks have time, please collect a small lunch sack of leaves that we can use tomorrow. We'll be looking at leaves from deciduous trees only, so no pine needles please! Thanks for the last minute help. It is much appreciated.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 95 (all)
-Reading practice book pages 319 & 320 on pronouns

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday Terrors

Howdy all. These kids play the meanest April Fools jokes. I think I was informed that my fly was down about a dozen times. I actually fell for it the first time. And then I was told that a few of the students were moving away at the end of the week, and then the rest were taking extended vacations next week. Such imaginations!

We began our exploratory research for WWII report topics today and about 2/3 of the class has committed to a subject matter. I'll post reminders about timeframes and expectations periodically, but these reports are being structured and written in the comfort of your homes...not in class. A few folks have raised concern about the content of the WWII reports, so I will repeat here what I informed folks of way back at our Back-To-School Night last September. The reports themselves and the subject matter that we deal with in class with our readings and literature studies are simply meant to broaden perspectives of world cutures and events. It is in no way glorifying the idea or effects of war. I know the subject matter is often considered controversial, but in light of the state of the world today, it is more than relevant.

Tomorrow is a short day. Mrs. Sawyer will also be holding her used book sale after school. All books will be a quarter.

Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 94 (1-20)
-Reading Practice book pages 316 & 317

Respectfully, Mr. B