Hello All,
As you know 4th Graders will be taking the state test, referred to as the SBAC or CAASPP, this week. I will not be assigning any regular homework. Please enjoy this time, get plenty of rest, and work on science projects.
All the 4th grade classes will be going on a field trip to Cabrillo College on Friday, May 8th. We are riding on school buses, but are looking for a couple of parents to chaperon. Please let me know if you'd enjoy joining us. Permission slips will come home this week.
Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Hi All,
This week the kids will be bringing home detailed directions for their 4th Grade Science Project. Kids should formulate a topic, choose a question and hypothesis, and write up their procedure this week. It's due on Thursday so I can look them over and return them before the weekend. There are many great websites to help with this process! If kids need extra support, I'm also available after school most days.
In addition, we are assigning students rereading chapters from their RTI books. This will replace the free choice reading on the homework.
Finally, we are asking students to spend some time on the SBAC website to practice the tech skills needed for the test. Encourage them to work on the Language Arts tests, as they seem to have more highlighting, dragging and dropping, etc.
Math homework will be lighter for the next two weeks due to these activities.
Testing will begin on Monday, April 27. Please avoid appointments and tardies!
Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
This week the kids will be bringing home detailed directions for their 4th Grade Science Project. Kids should formulate a topic, choose a question and hypothesis, and write up their procedure this week. It's due on Thursday so I can look them over and return them before the weekend. There are many great websites to help with this process! If kids need extra support, I'm also available after school most days.
In addition, we are assigning students rereading chapters from their RTI books. This will replace the free choice reading on the homework.
Finally, we are asking students to spend some time on the SBAC website to practice the tech skills needed for the test. Encourage them to work on the Language Arts tests, as they seem to have more highlighting, dragging and dropping, etc.
Math homework will be lighter for the next two weeks due to these activities.
Testing will begin on Monday, April 27. Please avoid appointments and tardies!
Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Hi All,
Sadly, Spring Break is drawing to a close. I trust you all found ways to enjoy the time!
This week we'll be beginning several new things. First, we will be reading about, and practicing the "scientific method" in preparation for a 4th grade Science Fair Project. This will be a simplified version of the 6th grade project, and will be homework beginning next week. For those wishing to get a head start, thinking about potential (very manageable) topics/questions is a great way to begin. I will send home directions with due dates next week.
In addition, RTI groups will be starting new historical novels focused on California history. Students will be reading Riding Freedom or Esperanza Rising.
We will also begin some practice for the SBAC, California's new standardized test. I'll be asking kids to do some additional practice tests at home as well, primarily to become comfortable with the various tools available on the program. I've provided a link to the site on the blog. Kids can practice with the tools by logging in as a Guest and taking 3rd or 4th grade tests. There are also tests that are for Grades 3-5, so be aware that some content will be unfamiliar.
Finally, we are going into the most exciting, but also stressful part of the year. Encourage your children to work hard, play hard, but pace themselves.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sadly, Spring Break is drawing to a close. I trust you all found ways to enjoy the time!
This week we'll be beginning several new things. First, we will be reading about, and practicing the "scientific method" in preparation for a 4th grade Science Fair Project. This will be a simplified version of the 6th grade project, and will be homework beginning next week. For those wishing to get a head start, thinking about potential (very manageable) topics/questions is a great way to begin. I will send home directions with due dates next week.
In addition, RTI groups will be starting new historical novels focused on California history. Students will be reading Riding Freedom or Esperanza Rising.
We will also begin some practice for the SBAC, California's new standardized test. I'll be asking kids to do some additional practice tests at home as well, primarily to become comfortable with the various tools available on the program. I've provided a link to the site on the blog. Kids can practice with the tools by logging in as a Guest and taking 3rd or 4th grade tests. There are also tests that are for Grades 3-5, so be aware that some content will be unfamiliar.
Finally, we are going into the most exciting, but also stressful part of the year. Encourage your children to work hard, play hard, but pace themselves.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Hi All,
This week should be a fast one, with Spring Break beginning on Friday.
In RTI, we will continue with our science study on rocks and weathering. We are reading the last lesson on the gold rush in social studies, and will do a simulation on the topic when we return from break. We are enjoying fractions in math.
On Thursday, the kids will attend the Student Talent Show and the Big Spin awards assembly!
When we return from break, we'll have a week of school, and then the 4th Graders will be taking the state tests (SBAC).
Spring is always a busy time, so enjoy the break, but rest up too!
Take care,
Carroll Mayer
This week should be a fast one, with Spring Break beginning on Friday.
In RTI, we will continue with our science study on rocks and weathering. We are reading the last lesson on the gold rush in social studies, and will do a simulation on the topic when we return from break. We are enjoying fractions in math.
On Thursday, the kids will attend the Student Talent Show and the Big Spin awards assembly!
When we return from break, we'll have a week of school, and then the 4th Graders will be taking the state tests (SBAC).
Spring is always a busy time, so enjoy the break, but rest up too!
Take care,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, March 16, 2015
Hi All,
Sorry for the delay!
This week is full of beginnings and endings.
First of all, we have finished reading The Great Horn Spoon in RTI. On Tuesday, the entire 4th grade will be watching the movie of this fun book. Kids may also take the AR test. Our next couple of weeks in RTI will be devoted to reading information, for a science investigation unit.
We have also finished the geometry unit in math. Today we completed the geometry test, and did a partial lesson on our new unit, fractions, but didn't do enough of Lesson 1 to be prepared for homework. Expect fraction homework to begin on Tuesday.
Finally, we will be having a Social Studies test on Friday, focused on Chapter 5, "California, Here We Come!" -- p.185 -217 in Reflections. This is the chapter we read last week and the week before, focused on California settlers before the Gold Rush, and California's separation from Mexico.
The report cards should be coming home this Friday. Thanks for your patience as the district worked out its technical issues.
Take care,
Carroll Mayer
Sorry for the delay!
This week is full of beginnings and endings.
First of all, we have finished reading The Great Horn Spoon in RTI. On Tuesday, the entire 4th grade will be watching the movie of this fun book. Kids may also take the AR test. Our next couple of weeks in RTI will be devoted to reading information, for a science investigation unit.
We have also finished the geometry unit in math. Today we completed the geometry test, and did a partial lesson on our new unit, fractions, but didn't do enough of Lesson 1 to be prepared for homework. Expect fraction homework to begin on Tuesday.
Finally, we will be having a Social Studies test on Friday, focused on Chapter 5, "California, Here We Come!" -- p.185 -217 in Reflections. This is the chapter we read last week and the week before, focused on California settlers before the Gold Rush, and California's separation from Mexico.
The report cards should be coming home this Friday. Thanks for your patience as the district worked out its technical issues.
Take care,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Hi All,
Just a heads up--report cards are being delayed by the district for an extra week, due to technical issues. They will come home a week from Friday, on March 20th.
Otherwise, we continue onto the last few chapters of By the Great Horn Spoon, and wrap up our geometry unit. In social studies, we will be reading about the events leading up to California's statehood. Expect a social studies test during the week of March 16-20th on that topic.
Finally, the kids are researching and writing a procedural text (how to) on preparing for and surviving a natural disaster. Kids may come home with many ideas about family disaster plans!
Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Just a heads up--report cards are being delayed by the district for an extra week, due to technical issues. They will come home a week from Friday, on March 20th.
Otherwise, we continue onto the last few chapters of By the Great Horn Spoon, and wrap up our geometry unit. In social studies, we will be reading about the events leading up to California's statehood. Expect a social studies test during the week of March 16-20th on that topic.
Finally, the kids are researching and writing a procedural text (how to) on preparing for and surviving a natural disaster. Kids may come home with many ideas about family disaster plans!
Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Hi All,
What a beautiful afternoon, after a drizzly Saturday!
This week, we'll be continuing with our reading of By the Great Horn Spoon. There's a link to the audio version of this book on Mr. McMillan's blog, which I encourage kids to listen to as a preview or review of this week's chapters (13-15). In Social Studies, we will be reading about California's progress toward statehood. In math, we'll be working on Geometry for another week and a half, wrapping up with an assessment on approximately 3/12. The trimester officially ends this Wednesday, with report cards coming home on Friday, March 13th.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
What a beautiful afternoon, after a drizzly Saturday!
This week, we'll be continuing with our reading of By the Great Horn Spoon. There's a link to the audio version of this book on Mr. McMillan's blog, which I encourage kids to listen to as a preview or review of this week's chapters (13-15). In Social Studies, we will be reading about California's progress toward statehood. In math, we'll be working on Geometry for another week and a half, wrapping up with an assessment on approximately 3/12. The trimester officially ends this Wednesday, with report cards coming home on Friday, March 13th.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
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