Thursday & Friday, and thanks Nancy!

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We've been experimenting with some self-directed research this week, and the kids are having a very fun time exploring things like optical illusions, perspective in art, and working collaboratively on presentations that incorporate poetry, music or drama. I am excited about their enthusiasm, and am eager to share some of their work with you. How am I going to do that, you may ask? Well, we now have a classroom photo book that can be accessed on-line. A huge shout out to Nancy Beech who set it up. She sent out an email to each family about contributing to the page, and I will link the page shortly to this one. Thanks again Nancy!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log (due tomorrow)
- math practice quiz (through chapter 11)
- study for spelling quiz

Respectfully,
Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

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

- reading log
- Saxon math, lesson 26, pages 112-114, problems 1-20
- Reading practice book pages 178 - 179 (Venn diagrams) and some students may need to complete pages 186 & 187 from class today regarding verbs

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday

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

- reading log
- nature log entry
- Saxon math, lesson 23, pages 100-101, problems 1-20
- Reflections practice book pages 33 & 34 (many started in class)

I suggested to the kids today that they utilize both their Reflections practice book pages and their Chapter 3 Social Studies notes to prepare themselves for next week's test, as they will not be able to use their notes during the exam. While we will more than likely review the content Jeopardy-style next Tuesday, I would also strongly recommend that the kids reread their Reflections text (pages 110 - 138).

Respectively, Mr. Bryant

Monday and beyond...

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. These next two weeks will be writing intensive. The kids had a groovy time writing and sharing short stories today, and tomorrow will begin a project that will carry us through the week.

The kids will have a spelling and math quiz this Friday. The spelling quiz will come from the "Cendrillon" story we shared today, and the math quiz will cover up and through unit 11. We'll be spending this week working with multi-digit multiplication.

The class decided this past Friday to have a potluck, multi-cultural party as we head off for Winter Break next week. You'll each receive an e-mail from Nancy Beech in the next day or so outlining what to expect and how to help.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log (due Friday)
- math lesson 11.2 from the blue book
- reading practice book pages 182 & 183
- study words for spelling quiz

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Thursday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. As promised, we ventured into new territory today with our reading and language curriculum. On Thursdays and Fridays of weeks we spend working with short stories from our reading text, the kids will be given opportunities to extend their understanding of the content by participating in 3 enrichment activities of their choosing. For these three weeks leading up to the Winter Break, the kids will be choosing from 9 possible activities that they may work on individually or collaboratively. End results may be shared with the class, or they may be submitted directly to me for review. It is my sincere hope that the kids engage with material that piques their interests and fosters a deeper understanding of the materials that we cover as a group. As a starting activity, we began to work with perspective in storytelling. The activity was two-fold in its approach; yesterday we worked with storyboards to retell a narrative without using words, only imagery. Today, and continuing tomorrow, we are working with visual perspective. How does an ant see the world compared to a giraffe? The kids have been very excited about this change, and it is something I am excited to offer, as it instills a great deal of ownership and personal responsibility for one's self and work.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 11.1, pages 91-92 of blue math book
- study for "The Stranger" spelling quiz

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. The kids were quite enthusiastic with the new math text today. We are looking forward to weaving the two texts to best support the learning of the class. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- Saxon math lesson 22, problems 1-20
- Stranger storyboards (many were completed in class)
- Reflections textbook review questions 1-5, page 139
- please remember to bring in library books

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday & math

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Hopefully you notice that the kids have a new math book that they are working with today. As I mentioned at Back-to-School Night, I have implemented a second textbook in our math curriculum. The Saxon math program is a rigorous one, but is a program that I have experienced nothing but success with. For kids that struggle with math, the program will provide them with the opportunity for daily concept review, as well as a much simpler approach when dealing with new content. For those that excel in math, the content will also enrich their understanding and challenge them with relevant, standards-based material. I will continue to use the Houghton-Mifflin math text in our day-to-day classroom sessions, but the Saxon text will be the basis for their homework and assessments from here on out.

Yes, this is a week of changes. Come Thursday I will write of the language curriculum enrichment that will be implemented in the classroom.

We have also begun a classroom crackdown on students who are falling behind in their assignments. Yes, unfortunately students have begun losing recess and lunch time to make up nature logs, reading logs, and work in general. Not my favorite thing, but needing to instill the notion of responsibility and ownership for one's self and their work. Hopefully it is a short-lived endeavor.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log
- nature log
- Saxon math lesson 21, problems 1-20
- reading practice book pages 158 & 159

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant