Lucky us!

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We have been absolutely spoiled these past few days with some amazing guests. Yesterday, Mr. Southall was able to come in and share some of his research with the class. He is a marine biologist, and doing some pretty amazing work with sound. The kids can check out some of the material that was covered at www.dosits.org. Very groovy stuff. Today, we were treated to some projects that were completed by the AP Environmental Studies students from Aptos High. Thanks Dr. LaHue!

Tomorrow brings us a Rio Rockers musical performance, Mr. McMillan's music project, and our viewing of the Hiroshima documentary. Should be an enlightening and enjoyable day.

Friday is the last day to submit any work for credit, aswriting report cards are how I will be spending my Memorial Day weekend. I was very firm with date, as have been all the Rio teachers, so no exceptions will be made when kids try to turn in late work next week. Report cards and Blue Folders will go home with kids next Friday. I will not be sending home Blue Folders on Tuesday next week.

Tonight, the kids should only need to complete math 27.5.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had some fun today playing with the concept of static electricity. If the kids are running around trying to shock you tonight, I apologize. We'll continue our exploration of electricity and magnetism during these last days of schools with some great hands on activities and experiments. I'll post some pictures if I remember to bring in my camera!

We got into a heavy discussion yesterday regarding the bombing of Hiroshima. The kids were amazed and horrified by the before and after images of the city, realizing the power of atomic energy as a weapon. We are midway through the story of Sadako. The kids have found the material to be enthralling.

I know that several of you committed time and energy into yesterday's staff appreciation luncheon, and I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you. The lunch was amazing!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- math 27.4 (continuing with perimeter and area)
- science practice book pages 2-9 (most were completed in class)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday & Wednesday

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

- reading log (due tomorrow)
- math 27.2 & 27.3
- complete Reflections practice pages 71-81 (if necessary, as they will be collected tomorrow as well)

Much thanks, Mr. B

Monday & the week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Wow, the clock is really ticking here! We have eight days left together, and each is packed full of goodness. Tuesday brings our year-end math benchmark and the beginning of our study of Hiroshima. Wednesday brings a scientist sharing his research on ocean mammals. Thursday we will be fortunate enough to be visited by high school students sharing their environmental studies work. Friday we will be treated to Mr. McMillan's musical history extravaganza. Should make for some excitement.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log (due Wednesday)
- blue folders
- math 27.1
- Reflections practice book pages 80 - 81 (I will be collecting practice book pages 71-81 on Wednesday.)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Thursday & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Another day of some pretty groovy presentations has passed us by, and the kids are anxious for the balance of them on Friday. Just a friendly reminder for the next couple of days, as I will be working at the district office tomorrow. Friday brings us a quick rocks and minerals quiz. The kids will need to turn in their science practice books on that day as well, with pages 114 - 139 completed. The may cross out page 133, as we did not complete that experiment.
The kids should also complete the following by Friday: math 26.5 and two reading log entries.

Respectfully, Mr.Bryant

Tuesday & Wednesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Sorry to be posting so late, but I had an eye injury that required a quick trip to the doctor's. Antibiotics are in effect!
Today's first venture into the California reports was impressive. The kids have clearly taken a great deal of pride in their work, and are anxious to share their knowledge with their peers.
Tomorrow brings us our postponed Number the Stars chapter quiz. We'll be looking at chapters 9 -12. Their will not be a final written quiz for this book, as the kids will access the Accelerated Readers program for that assessment.
A friendly reminder that I will be out at a training on Thursday and that Mrs. Abelar will be here in my place.
Friday brings us a quick rocks and mineral quiz. Honestly, it will be a brief 10 short-answer questions to deal with.
Aside from the aforementioned, the kids should be working with their reading log and math lesson 26.2 & 26.3


Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday & the week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had a very nice first day back, and are looking forward to a fun week together. The week will bring closure to our Number the Stars reading and our adventures into rocks and minerals. We'll transition into Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes next week, as well as electricity and magnetism. The kids are also very excited to be sharing their respective California reports this week, and I have already been sent some impressive presentations. Five brave souls have offered to go first tomorrow, and they are: CeCe, Ryan, McKenna, Bobby and Brianna. The following folks will present on Wednesday: Shayla, Trevor, Sky, Joshua, Rachel, Lucas C., Blake, Logan, Madison, Kourosh, Megan, Mason, Roland and Lucas B. The balance of the class will present on Friday, as I will be out for a math training on Thursday. Mrs. Abelar will be here in my place.

Tonight, the kids should be putting the finishing touches on their California reports. All written work is due tomorrow. Visual aides do not need to be here until the scheduled presentation day. The kids are also responsible for their reading log and math 26.1

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant