the Red and the Tree

Congratulations to our classroom representatives for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Sachi and CeCe were elected by secret ballot in class today from a field of seven interested candidates. We look forward to their efforts in the coming year and wish them success!

We had our first adventure in the computer lab today, where we explored the Monterey Bay Aquarium website and spent some time researching some potential ocean animal report materials.

Our Titantic documentary, "Ghosts of the Abyss", was a huge hit with the class. Many of the kids are eager to see the expanded version of the documentary, as we watched the 60 minute version. The disc is available via Netflix for interested parties.

Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- study for tomorrow's spelling quiz
- math 3.1 (pp 19-20)
- if possible, continue exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium website for potential ocean animal report subjects (there is a link in the bottom right corner)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday and beyond

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. There seems to be a rough flu making the rounds and several of the kids are feeling the effects. Please make sure that the kids are eating a healthy breakfast and getting a decent sleep each night. We don't need a bunch off sick kids running around.

Tomorrow we will be holding our in-class elections for student leadership. I'll post results on the blog tomorrow afternoon.

We are wrapping up our short story regarding the sinking of the Titanic tomorrow. The class will be watching a G-rated documentary on the technology used to explore the wreckage. It's a very cool watch.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math problem of the week #1
- reading practice book page 50

respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Happy September First

Howdy, and thanks for checking in. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- nature log entry
- math review page (handout, both sides)
- reading practice book pages 41 - 42

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday and the week

Howdy, and thanks for checking in. I wanted to take a quick moment to thank the families that attended last Thursday's Back to School Night. I know I tend to ramble, so I sincerely hope that folks walked away feeling comfortable and confident with your child's placement. Again, if you have questions or concerns regarding curriculum, etc., please feel free to e-mail me.

We will have two assessments this week, both of which are listed here on the blog calendar. I will send the kids home on Tuesday with a math review page to tackle prior to Wednesday's exam.

Blue Folders have new reading logs as well as Accelerated Reader goals for the first grading trimester. I have hand written student access codes and passwords in the upper left hand corner of each page so that you may monitor their progress from home, should you choose to.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

- Blue folders
- math 2.5, pages 17 & 18
- reading practice book pages 38 & 45 ("Finding the Titanic" spelling list can be torn from page 411)
- reading log

Please ensure that blue folders are returned to school in a timely manner, and by Friday of each school week.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

a cool website

The kids and I were going over how earthquakes affect the lives of folks living along fault lines and reviewed the content of the US Geological Survey website in that process. Many of the kids want to explore the site further, and it can be accessed at

www.usgs.gov

Have a groovy weekend, Mr. Bryant

Thursday and Back to School Night

I've got my fingers crossed for a stellar turnout tonight from 7:30 - 8:15 (in the classroom) for our groovy Back to School Night. I'll share as much as possible, and still leave time for those all important questions and whatnot. I'm not handing out materials, so if you can't make it you can still stay current with the classroom by checking in with this blog.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- math 2.4, pages 15 & 16
- study for tomorrow's spelling quiz
- reading log is due tomorrow

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday & human DNA

Kourosh was kind enough to share his human DNA experiment with the class today, and several of the students were interested in duplicating the procedure at home. Here are his step-by-step instructions:
First, get one cup water and add a half teaspoon of salt. Stir well. Put the salt water in your mouth and swish it around. Spit the water out into a clean cup. In another cup, mix dish soap and water. Add it to the salt water you spat out. Stir, but don't try to make bubbles. Take cold 70% rubbing alcohol and put it around the edge of the cup. Wait 1 - 2 minutes. The small white pieces that are visible are human DNA. You can take those pieces and put them in small containers of pure alcohol to make them last!

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-reading log
-math practice book pages 13 - 14, lesson 2.3
-reading practice book pages 26 - 27

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant