Hello All,

I hope you are all enjoying this weekend.

First of all, a big thank you goes out to Ben and Corrie Slyder. Our class got to have an excellent Science Party organized by Ben, a high school Science teacher. He demonstrated some cool properties of matter and light, and gave the kids some tools to take home and replicate the activities. It was an interesting and fun way to end the week!

As you probably know, there will not be a Homework Packet going home this Monday, because last week's packet was not due until this Friday. I imagine everyone will do very well on Friday's Spelling Test because they will have additional time to practice! There will also be a timed multiplication test on Friday, covering the facts through 7. As we do 3 and 4 digit multiplication problems, those kids who have been practicing the facts all year are really seeing a payoff. This will continue as we move into long division. Please make sure your child is practicing multiplication until it is automatic!

In addition, if you have not returned your child's permission slip for the April field trip to the MAH, please do so. We will be going on this trip right after Spring Break, and it's much easier to organize ahead of time.

Finally, the kids are working hard on note-taking for their Famous American speech. This week we will move into writing the first of the five paragraphs. While most of this project will be completed in class, some kids may need the extra support or time that they can get at home to complete the project. I will let you know when this assignment becomes homework, and notify you about the final completion date at that time.

Have a great week,

Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

As mentioned last week, Third Graders are beginning research on their "Famous American" reports. Be sure to send your child with a readable (to him/her) article about their chosen person. If this is not possible, please send a note.

Also, just a reminder that Lit. Circles are due on Tuesdays. I understand that this is particularly difficult to remember when it's a 3 day weekend, but students can bring in completed work ahead of time too. Several of the kids have become "Frequent Fliers" when it comes to missing Lit. Circles, and it has a very negative impact on the entire group, who miss out on that person's contribution to the discussion. Please impress upon your child the importance of being responsible about this obligation.

Finally, I will be sending home permission slips and information about our field trip to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH). As the trip is scheduled right after we return from Spring Break, I need all permission slips and volunteer information before we take the week off. Thanks for your support in this matter.

Take care, and enjoy the week,

Carroll

Hello All,

It was great to see so many at Saturday's Auction Dinner Dance. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend. Parents really had fun dressing up in early 60's style.

This week, we will begin instruction for the 3rd graders' "Famous American" Report. At home, please select a "Famous American" and print an article that your child is able to comfortably read. In addition, I have a variety of short biographies in class, as does the school library. The person selected must be someone who has contributed in a leadership role to American society, not simply a person with celebrity or artistic/athletic talent. Children should have their person chosen by Friday, March 16. Articles to be used for research are due on Tuesday, March 20th. Please send a note if you are unable to print an article at home.

Take care,

Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

This week's homework packet will not include a spelling list. Instead, there are math practice pages and a short article and crossword puzzle. Also, I am hearing from some kids that they don't have enough time to do their Lit. Circles. Please remind your child that this assignment is given weekly, and they need to plan their work time accordingly.

Have a great week,

Carroll

Hi All,

Just a few reminders...

Lit. Circles are due on Tuesdays, and are marked down if the student does not have the prepared job at the group's meeting. Most kids are doing well with this responsibility, and all students are welcome to bring completed assignments into class early and keep them safely in their desk.

For the most part, students did well on our Social Studies test on the US Government. I did delete one portion of the test from the final score, as many children were confused by the format. All students appear to know more about the structures of our government than they did a few weeks ago.

Shana DeBernardo is finishing up our class auction project with the kids this week. Ask your child about it-- and look for it at the auction site. Thanks, Shana, for your great work on this fun project!

Have a great week,

Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

Due to the President's Day holidays, the spelling packet will not be due until a week from this Friday, on February 24th. However, please encourage your child to use the full 2 weeks for practice, as the spelling concept is -augh and -ough! In math, we will continue with fractions.

This Wednesday, Rio del Mar is having its 2nd Annual Book Night. The K-3 book is Stuart Little. Last year, we had a fun and interesting time discussing the selection, and sharing our enthusiasm for reading. I hope to see you there.

Our Valentine Party is scheduled for 12:15-1:15 on Tuesday. Students who bring valentines must include enough for all 29 members of the class.

Have a great week,

Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

I hope you are enjoying another beautiful weekend!

Hopefully, most of you received my email to send in photos from this school year for our yearbook page. Please get your pictures in right away, by Wednesday at the latest.

Kids have been doing very well getting back into the routine of homework, and most have been remembering their daily and weekly responsibilities. However, several children forgot their Lit. Circle homework last week. This is due every Tuesday. Students may bring in the homework early if they are worried about forgetting on Tuesday, but this assignment's grade will be lowered if the work is not returned on time.

Valentine's Day will be here soon. The class party is scheduled immediately after lunch on the 14th, from 12:15-1:15. I will send home a list of students' names this week, so that valentines can be addressed individually. As always, those kids who choose to bring valentines must include all members of the class.

Have a great week,

Carroll