Monday, May 28, 2012

Hi All,
Happy Memorial Day! This week there will be no regular homework, HOWEVER, students should bring home the Astronomy study guide and prepare for the test on Thursday.

The permission slips for the End-of-the-Year Party at Seacliff were sent home last Monday. I am still missing paperwork and $5 from quite a few kids, and I am a little short on drivers. If these have not been sent in, please do it ASAP.

I can't repeat it enough: Thanks for a fabulous year! Your kids have been such a pleasure and I have really enjoyed our time together.

Take care,
Carroll


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Hi All,
Fun field trip on Thursday; thanks to all the drivers who made it possible! Also, the kids enjoyed another successful choir performance on Thursday night.

This week, we will continue to have nightly math homework. The homework packet contains multiplication practice and a reading log. I am doing a final push on multiplication. The kids are taking quizzes twice a week, with the goal of 90% accuracy in 2 minutes or less. When they reach that goal, students are shifting to 100 second multiplication and then 144 second multiplication. In these programs, the kids recite the factors for a list of products. It is a different way of working with multiplication facts, and prepares them well for using these facts in more advanced math.

Finally, I've wrapped up Literature Circles for the year. The kids should continue reading for pleasure and knowledge, and taking AR tests. Many have reached their goal, but many have not.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Hi All,
It was great to see you all on Thursday night at the Open House. The kids have worked hard this year, and are so proud of all they have accomplished. I have had a great time this year with your kind and responsible children, and am so grateful for the opportunity to have taught them.

This Thursday, our class will be going to the Agricultural History Museum at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Kids should bring their lunches and a light jacket or sweater. On Thursday NIGHT, we will have our spring choir performance at Aptos High. Third Graders are expected to perform at 6:15.

Finally, this week students will have a homework packet with multiplication practice and a Reading Log. Please make sure they follow up with these responsibilities. Lit. Circles will be due on Wednesday.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer


Sunday, May 6, 2012

Hi All,
This week begins with the Famous American speeches.  Kids, please come to school on Monday or Tuesday, dressed appropriately,  ready to give your speech.  We will begin as soon as we can. Students 1-15 (A-J) will speak on Monday and 16-29 (J-T) will go on Tuesday.

We will resume regular math homework this week, but the Homework Packet will only contain multiplication practice and a reading log. I will be giving multiplication timed tests 1-2 times a week for the remainder of the year, as we push towards automaticity with these facts.  The Lit. Circle assignment is due on Wednesday, as we have speeches on Tuesday.

Finally, Open House is scheduled for Thursday night. Please come by and see your child's work.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer