Sunday, April 30, 2017

Hi All,

What a terrific weekend! I hope you enjoyed this gorgeous weather. It felt like it began early with the festive Jogging for the Arts event. Thanks to all who donated and/or came out to support our kids!

This week students are wrapping up their California Reports (in class). At home, everyone should be well into fun projects on their topics, which are due on Wednesday. They will be presenting to classmates on Wednesday and Thursday.

In math, we are completing our Geometry unit and will have our Unit test on Friday. I will send home a study sheet, but kids should be able to identify all types of quadrilaterals, each type of triangle, and estimate and measure angles. They should also know how to calculate area and perimeter.

Finally, Open House is this Thursday from 6:30-7:30. I look forward to seeing you all then!

All the best,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Hi All,

Just a head's up for the week!

First of all, the kids are bringing home a handout explaining the California project they are working on as this week's homework. In case the information gets misplaced, I'm copying it  to the bottom of this post. The goal is to work creatively on a project applying the information gathered for the written report, which we are doing at school.

Secondly, Jogging for the Arts is this Friday. It's a favorite fundraiser, and a great opportunity for the kids to support the school through their efforts.

Have a great week!

Carroll Mayer


California Research Project

You have worked so hard in class to write an amazing research report on a topic related to California. Now it’s time to make the report come alive by creating a visual aide that supports your report!

This visual aide will be done at home and will replace the homework choice board. There are several ideas so we know there will be something for you. If you have an incredible idea that is not on this list, just let your teacher know and we can add it to our list so future students can benefit.

If your visual aide requires the use of technology be sure to communicate with your teacher on the best way to share it with the class. If you can find a way to get it onto your Google Drive then it will be super easy to share with the class.

Visual Aide Ideas

Diorama - Find an empty shoebox and create a scene that represents your topic
Brochure - Create a tri-fold description with visuals that teaches us about your topic
Photo essay - Share important images about your topic with captions explaining their importance
Google Slides - Include photos, graphics, diagrams, text, and more to teach about your topic.
Video - Make a video about your topic! Get creative and we’ll sit back and enjoy.
Board game - Design your own board game that is related to your topic - Come up with rules, game pieces, game board, and anything else needed to play the game
Painting - Paint something that is inspired by your topic
Puppet show - Create a puppet show that dramatizes your topic
Song or dance - Create an original dance or song inspired by your topic
Skit or play - Partner up with some friends who chose the same topic and create a short skit to teach us about your topic
Mobile - Create a hanging “sculpture” to display in class
Sculpture - Use modeling clay or any other materials to create a sculpture about your topic
Game show - Create a game show and invite us to participate during your presentation
Coloring book - Draw several illustrations that we can color in - just like a real coloring book
Poster - Create a poster that displays some important information about your topic
Float - Decorate the outside of a shoebox in a way that is informative and creative

Any other ideas, ask your teacher!

Important Dates
Monday, April 24th - Project description goes home

Wednesday, May 3rd -  Visual Aid due

That’s 9 days to work on your project! Get started early and have fun!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Hi All,
How time flies!  I trust you've all had a terrific week off, and are rarin' to push through these next couple months of school!

In RTI we are beginning a poetry unit. The kids are all very excited. They also did a terrific job during our biography unit, and seemed to learn a lot about the genre, as well as many significant people.

In math, we are continuing with geometry, which has many vocabulary words. Many kids find this topic to be extremely interesting, but encourage your kids to put some time into Moby Max, BrainPop, or the workbook ( up to page 102 this week.) This will help with all the new and vaguely familiar words!

In writing, kids are working on a California research report. I'm excited to read about topics as diverse as the role of Chinese-Americans in Ca, the state government, the transcontinental railroad, as well as old favorites like the missions and California Indians. All research and writing is taking place at school, although kids who have fallen behind might be given work to complete at home. I'll send an email if your child is in that category.

Finally, in Social Studies we are learning about the period leading up to California's statehood, from the ranches of early California, through the Bear Flag revolt, and including the Gold Rush. It's a big, exciting topic!

Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer