Hello Room 9 Families,

This week we will be working hard on wrapping up several units before the winter break. The math test for Module 3 (multiplication and division) will be on Thursday. The Native American reports (written in class) are due Wednesday. We will also have an open book Social Studies test on Thursday. There will be no spelling homework or spelling tests this week, but there will be math review homework. Kids may work on typing their reports at home, but we will have computer time on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Anyone who wishes to take their report drafts home must check in with me so I can make a back-up copy. Whew -- lots happening!

On Friday, we will enjoy a school Sing-along, as well as our classroom party.

Have a happy and joyful break!
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
Two more weeks until break!  The kids are working hard right now, wrapping up projects and units so there's nothing hanging over our heads until January. There will be a Social Studies test during the final week before break, and a math test on Module 3 of math (multiplication and division). We are also finishing up the California Indians reports. Remember to get plenty of rest, and off to school on time. Please reserve Santa hats for the last week as well. The kids just get too excited seeing the hats every day.
Regards,
Carroll

Hello All,

 Welcome back!  I hope you had a joyful Thanksgiving.

This week we are back to a regular schedule. In math we'll be continuing with both division and multiplication. Our RTI classes will be focusing on poetry for one more week, in particular "Casey at the Bat". We continue with reports on California Indians (in class) and will begin a Social Studies chapter on "Early California". As you can see, we have lots going on and will be pushing hard academically during these next 3 weeks. I know these times can get busy as various holiday activities are added to your schedules, but please work with your kids to include enough time for homework -- and plenty of rest as well.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer

Hello Friends,

I enjoyed meeting and speaking with you about your beautiful children.
Have a joyous and peaceful Thanksgiving break. There will be no homework this week.

Yours,
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
I'm looking forward to meeting with Parents/Guardians this week for conferences. Your child should have brought home a reminder note with your date and time, but if it's been misplaced feel free to email me. School is scheduled from 7:55-12:20 each day, and there is no Afterschool program. The library will be selling books at the book fair each day until 3:30.  I will be handing out report cards at your child's conference.

This week the kids will continue working hard on their research reports on California Indians. In RTI, we are studying poetry. We are working on division in math, and will be practicing the standard algorithm for much of this week. The kids will have a packet and 2 math homework pages as usual, but will not have either during the Thanksgiving week since it's so short.

Have a great Conference Week. I know my kids and I always enjoyed the extra free time!

Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
First of all, thank you to the many parents who contributed to our class Halloween party; the kids had a terrific time!  A special thanks to our Room Parents, Mary, Michelle, and Lori: your plans kept 34 kids busy, happy, and safe!

This week we will be continuing with the content we began over the last couple of weeks. In social studies and ELA, we'll be focusing on California Indians. In math, we will be working on story problems that are most easily solved by multiplying. On last week's Math Exit Ticket I noticed that many kids are understanding how to multiply large numbers using several strategies, but are having trouble with their basic facts. We will be using "100 Second Multiplication" to practice at school,  but if your child is struggling with basic multiplication, I encourage you to support them at home with other resources. Some kids like Multiplication Rap, digital flashcards, digital games, etc. It also works well to make practicing multiplication facts a "driving to..." activity.

Finally, I'm looking for some Parent Volunteers for a few special projects. First, I'd like some shelves built into the entry of the classroom where hooks are currently. Many other rooms have replaced these with shelves, so I'd be able to show pictures for ideas. I can make the classroom available into the evening, or on the weekend if someone is willing to take on this project. Secondly, I'm working on leveling my classroom library so that students can easily find books at their ZPD (just right level). I can send books and directions home for this project. All you need to help is time and a computer or tablet to access the site with the levels. Feel free to contact me at school with any questions about either of these projects.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,
This week will be a busy and fun one!  As Halloween is next Saturday, a portion of Friday will be dedicated to festivities. We will have our usual Spelling Test, Vocabulary and Math Quizzes in the morning before recess at 10:00. At 10:30 the Rio del Mar Halloween Parade will begin. Traditionally, we walk with our Reading Buddies. (Ours are Mrs. Werner's PM Kindergartners.) After that, our Room Parents have planned an awesome party!

In addition, this week our class will be wrapping up the science unit on" Energy For Life and Growth" with a short quiz. We are eagerly moving back to our social studies text, reading about California Indians during RTI, and researching using other sources to write an "All About..." report focusing on one Indian group. Students selected California Indian tribes from a list organized by regions, and then began searching for articles in the computer lab last Friday. The research and report will be written in class, although some students may need to finish up typing as homework. I will let you know when the report becomes homework!

Students also responded to a technology survey in the lab last Friday. Parents, please find the link to the survey on the Rio del Mar home page, and respond as well. I filled mine out last week. If we want any improvements/changes to our implementation of technology, we have to voice our ideas!

Finally, a reminder that there are links to YouTube videos that support the math lessons. I realize that the kids are being taught multiplication in ways that may seem strange or cumbersome. The purpose is to give kids a repertoire of strategies from which to pick. A lot of the drawing is to improve understanding of the underlying concepts that are the foundation of the algorithms we generally use. Rest assured, we will teach the standard algorithm for multiplication as well as the partial product, area model, etc.

Regards,
Carroll Mayer

Some students' "delicious" fruit portraits in the style of Giuseppe Arcimboldo.