Monday, February 29, 2016

Hi All,
I'm sorry to be tardy with this post. Weekends are just too short!

The trimester ends this Wednesday. I know many kids have been "thinking" about their AR goals, but the deadline is almost here. All AR tests taken after Wednesday will go toward the final trimester's goal. If your child is struggling with meeting their target, please remind them that making mistakes (like not completing work on time) is an opportunity to grow. A missed deadline is a great time to talk about pacing yourself, and making plans. Some kids haven't taken tests on all the books they've read. Others haven't read enough. (They should be reading every night, and also read independently about 25 minutes a day in class.) Finally, please remember that AR is not an end in itself-- it's supposed to be an opportunity for kids to have structured, yet independent reading at their level. If your child is reading a lot, but not taking tests, that's a different challenge.

Aside from that, we continue with fractions this week, and will be for quite a while. Fractions are one of the hardest concepts, and I encourage you to use the YouTube videos as a resource. As with other units, kids will represent and work with fractions in a variety of ways, some of which are new to most adults. Please encourage your child to be open to all the ways.

We have also shifted back to Social Studies, and will be reading about the period leading up to the Gold Rush. Soon, we will be starting a simulation activity called Golden Gulch. Finally, children are wrapping up their persuasive letters to Congressman Sam Farr regarding ocean health, and they will be mailed next week. Please contact me if you do not wish your child to use their home address in their letter.

Have a great week. Report cards will be sent home next Friday, March 11th.

Carroll

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Hi All,

First of all, thanks so much to all of you who came on our mission field trip last Friday. It was a beautiful day, and the kids loved exploring Mission San Juan Bautista!  We learned that they have special activities on the first Saturday of each month, and I know many of the kids would love to return and share them with siblings and other family members. This Tuesday, we have another great opportunity--our Math Festival. The kids will have the chance to work on the many hands-on activities during the day, and families are encouraged to return together in the evening. They also need volunteer help with Tuesday's activities. Please contact Mrs. Davis, or call the school if you are able to help.

This week, we begin fractions. As with other units, the emphasis is on kids understanding the concept and knowing how to work with fractions in a deep way. I highly recommend the YouTube videos by Dwayne Habecker, and encourage you and your children to watch them as we work on this concept that many find challenging.
Module 5, Lesson 1


We are approaching the end of the trimester. Many of the kids have worked hard and already met their AR goal for the term. However, there are some kids that have not. Please review this with your  child. Along with the regular goal, I asked the kids to read 10% nonfiction, and it is noted at the bottom of their progress page when they log into the site. (The purpose of the goal is to track students' reading, and make sure that they are getting enough reading practice, and comprehending the books they choose. Kids who are struggling to meet their goal may not be reading enough, may be selecting books that they are not ready to read independently, or may be procrastinating with taking the tests. )

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Monday, February 15, 2016

Hi All,
I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Presidents' Day!

This week's homework packet was sent home last Tuesday, and is due on Friday. We will have a spelling and vocabulary test first thing on Friday, and then head off on our field trip to Mission San Juan Bautista. The Fourth Grade will be returning from the mission in time to hear a presentation on bullying from Brian Stow, also scheduled for Friday, at 1:00. There are a few children who still need to return their permission slips.

We will wrap up our Geometry unit with a module test on Thursday, so math homework this week will be review for the test.  We'll begin studying fractions on February 22 with the  Math Festival also scheduled for that week, on Tuesday, February 23rd. There will be a night time component to the festival, so please save the date.

Finally, a big thank you to all our Room Parents, Lori, Mary, and Michelle, who planned another great celebration for Valentine's Day. Thanks, as well, to the parents who came by and contributed to the party with treats, drinks, and other necessities. Thanks also, to those of you who have volunteered to drive to the mission. We have enough drivers, and I will be contacting all to confirm plans.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, February 7, 2016

HI All,

I hope you are enjoying the first of two! three-day weekends.  Because of the short weeks, we will have one homework packet that will extend over the entire period.  The spelling test will be scheduled for Friday, February 19th, and that's when the entire packet will be due.

In terms of academic content, we are continuing units already begun during previous weeks.  Geometry will wrap up during the week ending 2/19, and I anticipate a Module test on that Thursday. We've shifted from Social Studies to Science, so that we can learn about ecosystems. The kids are loving By the Great Horn Spoon, and should be able to tell you all about it. Finally, we are working on persuasive letters to our congressman, proposing ideas for addressing the problems we see occurring with our ocean habitat.

Our Valentine's Day party is scheduled for this Friday, February 12th, at the end of the day.  Kids may bring valentines, but need enough for all 34 students.  Valentines are not required. Here is a link to a class list. 2015-16 Class List

Finally, the 4th Grade field trip to Mission San Juan Bautista is scheduled for Friday, February 19th, from 9-1:00. I have many, but not all permission slips returned.  Currently, I have seats for 26 kids, so I need 2-3 more drivers, depending on car size. If you are able to drive, but would prefer to be a back-up, please let me know. (You will still need to have all paperwork in order.)  Thanks for all your help.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer