Sunday, August 26, 2018

Hi All,

After a long week of testing, we are finally taking off! This week, I’ll be sending home the 4th Grade Choice Board, and that will be your child’s weekly homework for the year. Tomorrow, the kids and I will spend some time discussing it, but I will also clarify questions at Back-to-School Night on September 6th. I am also sending home the Bridges Math Home Workbook, which is one of the many options on the Choice Board.

We’ve begun the first math unit, which is on Multiplicative thinking. For many kids, it’s a big shift to think in multiples instead of adding. They will be learning many multiplication strategies beyond the arrays and memorization they worked on in 3rd Grade. In reading, we are building stamina, and learning comprehension strategies, including Notice and Note “signposts”.  We are having tons of fun in science, and are studying how eyes work. We are also beginning twice monthly singing, with the entire 4th Grade!

The Afterschool Program begins this Monday. I will be teaching 4th Graders on Monday and Thursday. If you are planning on having your child attend, please submit the forms sent home during Week 1, or available at the Afterschool link.

A thank you for the donations of classroom supplies, gift cards, and dollars!

Have a great week,

Carroll Mayer


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Hi All,

Here we go, a full week!

This week we will be doing some beginning of the year assessments —MAP tests and AR levels. MAP tests measure both reading and math. We will also continue with community building activities, our 2 Read-Aloud ( The Wild Robot and Tiger Rising), and begin our first math unit, on multiplication and division. Last week,  we also began our first science unit, on “Human Body, Senses, and the Brain”, and will continue with our investigations.  I will not be sending homework, but I encourage children to read daily. If you have not already done so, please return parent paperwork.

All the best,

Carroll Mayer

Monday, August 13, 2018

Hi Fourth Graders and Parents,

Welcome to 4th Grade!  I am excited to start a new year and have lots of fun ideas to share with you all. I have met many of you over the years, but here's a brief bio. I've taught at Rio del Mar for 15 years, and it's my 5th year in 4th Grade.  I have 2 adult children who attended Rio, and I live in the neighborhood with my husband. I love reading, including children's books, and play Bridge weekly (with Mrs. Clouse!) I love beach walks and am very grateful for the amazing summer we just had.
I also got to travel to Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii!

I usually update the blog weekly, often on Sunday. Please try to check for new information regularly. Parents, if you subscribe to this blog in the space above, you will receive emails when I post. I won't be arranging volunteers until Back-to-School Night, on September 6th, but it'd be great if you submit driver information as we will have a field trip to the aquarium this the fall. We are required by the district to turn in all paperwork long before the actual activity, so updated info. is very helpful. If you wish to volunteer regularly, or even drive on a trip, you need to have fingerprints and TB tests on file with the office. Fingerprinting is done at the PV District Office.

This first week will be focused primarily on community, although we will be doing some great math activities from Jo Boaler's WIM (Week of Inspirational Math.) Google Youcubed if you want to read about it. Homework is assigned to the parents---you know the packet!  Please try to return it this first week. I'd also like you to email me with your preferred email addresses.

I will be reading two books aloud to the kids during these first few weeks: Tiger Rising and The Wild Robot. Kids may bring their own copies of these books to follow along if they wish. 

Finally, I have a small list of supplies, but provide all materials needed.  Our materials are mostly communal, and I find that many kids are distracted by cool new erasers, sharpeners, notebooks, etc. So I'd prefer you keep those items at home. If you wish to contribute to the class supplies, donations to the class are welcome.  I am also thrilled with gift cards to Amazon, Staples, Palace, and Bookshop Santa Cruz, as I make purchases throughout the year. Checks to our classroom fund are also handy!

Feel free to email with any questions,

Carroll Mayer