Hi All,
Here it is --March already!

Last week, third graders began note taking on their Famous American, using an organizer. They will continue with their research, and then begin writing a report on their person. Second graders should have a person chosen, and an article, by Tuesday. They will also be doing research, and taking notes for their game cards. All of the research and writing for both groups will be done in class. The third graders will do their final drafts at home, which may be typed or hand written.

Please remind your children to pace themselves and plan ahead for their Lit Circle assignments. It is evident when the kids are poorly prepared, and effects the whole group when children come to school with sloppy work, or unfinished assignments. This is the only mark that will be lowered if it is turned in late, because it impacts the entire Lit. Circle.

A big thank you to the parents who offered to provide the class with more dry erase pens, and thank you Benson family for sending them. I've found the white boards to be an invaluable tool for math class. The children really enjoy using them, and we save paper too!

Finally, please remember to send in the permission slips for the Natural History Museum. Both second and third graders from our class are attending, although this is typically a third grade trip. I still need drivers as well. I do not need money,however, as this is the trip the was originally scheduled and paid for in December.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Dear Room 24 Families,
Happy birthday George Washington! As you all know by now, third graders will begin researching their chosen "Famous American" subjects this week. The kids will work on this project in class for the next several weeks, and then bring home a draft to copy or type, and to rework into a first person speech. The second graders will also be reading biographies, but will complete a different project. Second graders will be researching a "Famous Person" and then designing game cards that highlight the achievements of their person. Parents of second graders are encouraged to discuss potential figures for their children to research. Please encourage your child to select people who have contributed to our society's well-being. Books and articles are most easily located on historical figures, but the kids' options are open.

Have a good week!
Carroll

Hi All,
Well, I hope you enjoyed this last three day weekend! It will be a long time until we have another one.

First of all, thank you to all the parents who made the Valentine's Day party successful, especially our fabulous room parents: Cynthia, Sandi, and Jennifer. The kids really enjoyed the party and didn't get too sugared up.

This week third graders should make their final choices of their Famous Americans, and locate a book and Internet article. The completed "Bibliography" is due on Friday instead of a spelling test or homework. Second graders will also be doing a Famous Person research project, but I have not sent home the requirements yet.

Finally, I've rescheduled our field trip to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. It will be on March 10th and I will send home permission slips and requests for drivers shortly.

Have a great week,
Carroll

Hi All,
We get to have another "normal" week! Tomorrow, and every Monday, student leadership is requesting that people dress in Rio clothes, or the school colors (blue and white). This Monday we will also have our second class with Jenni, the Spectra Art teacher. As the next 2 Mondays are holidays, our art class will stretch into March. We will also have our second meeting with Catherine Murray, the Spanish teacher.

Lit. Circles continue to go well. Once again, every student remembered their assignments and was ready to participate in the group. Unfortunately, several third graders neglected their spelling homework. "Seal Surfer" was due last Friday and "Two Days in May" is due this week. I am also seeing an epidemic of "No Name" papers. When you look over your child's homework, or when you look at returned papers, please note if this is an issue for your kid. If it is, please reinforce the development of this important habit.

Finally, a big thank you to the Benson family for their purchase of a vacuum cleaner for our class. As you all know, the floors of the classroom can get bad, especially after special projects.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
What a week we've just experienced! The field trip was an informative one. Parents seemed to learn as much about Aptos history as the kids. Thanks to all of you who were able to support the class by chaperoning.

The kids are now great at the rainy day routines, and have learned how to manage umbrellas, raincoats, etc. They have even learned at school in the dark!

This week, we return to a regular schedule. Third graders will bring home a homework packet on Monday which is due this Friday. Both grades have Lit Circle assignments, also due on Friday. The kids were very successful at remembering to bring in last week's Lit. Circle, although several said that they had done it all the night before. Please continue to remind them to pace themselves and not save all the work for Thursday afternoon. One of the important lessons of homework is time management, and work quality really suffers when that habit is not established.

Finally, we are beginning Spectra Art (pottery) with Jenni Ward. She will teach our class on Mondays for the next 4 weeks. Later in the year the class will have Spectra Art on a different topic. As I hope your child has shared with you, we also have the good fortune to begin Spanish class with Catherine Murray on alternate Fridays. She is a dynamic teacher and really sets a positive tone about learning a new language. Thanks to all of you for the fund raising that makes these great activities possible!

Take care, and have a great week.
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
I hope you all enjoyed this 3 day weekend. My family and I really appreciated the time, and even enjoyed the rain.

This Friday, all the homework I sent home last week will be due. Third graders will take their spelling tests, and students will share their Lit. Circle assignments. I saw many Lit. Circle books noted on Reading Logs last Friday. Just a reminder, these are due every Friday! In math, Second graders will be finishing their unit on regrouping in subtraction, and Third Graders will begin a unit on fractions. I appreciate all the parent support in math. I find this program to be interesting and rigorous and I'm glad to have parent comments regarding the homework.

This Wednesday, I will be at a District Training. Mrs. Nigh will be substituting.

On Thursday our class will be going on a field trip to the Aptos History Museum.
Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to drive. However, many students have not turned in their permission slips; please make sure to do this right away.

Thanks again,
Carroll

Welcome back!

This week we are going to start gently. Third graders will have a spelling packet, but it won't be due until a week from Friday, on the 22nd. As promised, Literature Circle assignments will now be homework. Students will bring home their new "jobs" and books on Wednesday, but this work will not be due until the 22nd as well. After that, students will receive their weekly assignments at the Friday meeting, and have a week to complete it. The reading portion of this assignment may be noted in the Reading Logs. Just a reminder, this homework must be completed on time as the prepared discussion is an important part of Literature Circles.

See you soon,
Carroll