Sunday, December 15, 2013

Hi All,
This week the kids will have a regular Homework Packet,  with a review list for spelling.  I realize many children will have extra holiday busyness, but please encourage your kids to plan ahead with their schoolwork.   There will also be math homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

We are continuing with our research on Ohlone Indians this week, with the student groups giving short presentations. In math, we will be learning about perimeter.

In addition, please watch this week for information about the Famous American report. There will not be any work assigned over break, but many students find it's a good time to read a biography and get some background information on their person. Please don't have your child write a report over break, as this is mostly an in-class project.

Finally, thanks to all that sent in donations for Toys for Tots, and to Kristen Barrett for organizing our classroom toy drive. A special visitor is collecting the toys on Monday. Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. Danish are also organizing a class party on Friday!

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Hi All,

Thanks to all who were able to drive on our field trip to the Aptos History Museum.  I know many adults learned right along with the kids, and it's great to see how enthusiastic and respectful they were in their desire to learn about local history.

This week we will continue studying about Native Americans in RTI, as well as during our social studies block.  In math, the kids will proceed with the geometry unit, learning lots of new words to use in describing triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons.

Kristin Barret, our Room Parent, has also arranged for the class to participate in a Toys for Tots Drive.  They will be writing letters explaining the purpose of Toys for Tots this week, and if they wish, may bring in toys by Monday, December 16th. Student leadership is also collecting spare change to donate toward another organization. Donations to both these causes are completely voluntary.

Student leadership has also planned a school-wide holiday pajama day for this Friday, December 13th. Kids may wear pajamas, and/or Santa hats if they wish.

Have a great week, and stay warm!
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Hi All,
I hope you enjoyed a joyous Thanksgiving, with lots of time for friends and family!

This week, the children's Homework Packet will not contain a spelling list, but poems to memorize instead.  Encourage your child to practice the poems, and also focus on clear speech, excellent posture, and appropriate eye contact.  The packet also contains multiplication, and we are still learning Rhymes 'n Times sayings and reviewing old rhymes daily. Your child should be reviewing multiplication facts at home a few minutes each day.

In Math, we move on to Geometry.  There are a lot of vocabulary words in this unit, so discussing various concepts and observations using the terms will be great reinforcement. For example, they will be studying parallel lines, and right angles on Monday.   In RTI, we will be reading about Native Americans (Social Studies text and anthology story Dancing Rainbows).  The strategy for the next 2 weeks is Summarize and the skill is Topic, Main Idea, and Details.  We will also be researching the Ohlone during our Social Studies block.

In addition, we have a field trip to the Aptos History Museum scheduled for this Thursday.  All parents who have volunteered to drive are welcome; this is an interesting opportunity to learn a little local history. However, several kids have not returned their permission slips, so if your child is one of them, please send it in on Monday!

I am also missing a few report card envelopes.  Please return your child's ASAP, as they are reused next term.

Finally, please no Santa hats during these first few weeks of December.  The kids get very excited as the holidays near, so the hats just add fuel to the fire.  In the past I've allowed them the last week before break, and as long as this remains okay with Mrs. Dorney, that will be my policy.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer