Hi All,
Sorry to be tardy; it's hard to give up the last few hours of Spring Break!
Generally, we are following a normal schedule and will have the usual amount of homework, etc. We will stay with that format until state testing. It will begin for Fourth Grade in about 3 weeks, and at that time homework format and content will vary from day to day. When testing ends, we will continue with more varied homework for the remainder of the year.
We are also increasing the amount of time the kids use the Chrome Books. A lot of our writing assignments are being completed digitally, in order to practice those skills for testing and beyond. On that note, I'm encouraging the kids to bring personal headphones if they are able. I believe the in ear ones will work, as well as any other styles you have on hand. With headphones, the kids will be able to view Brain Pop and You Tube videos, as well as read articles online.
Thanks, and have a great week,
Carroll
Monday, April 4, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Hi All,
This week is short, with lots of excitement due to Spring Break! The homework packet will consist of a Social Studies Ch. 5/6 Review. We will have a test on these chapters on Thursday. The kids will also have math homework on Tuesday and Wednesday as usual.
On Thursday, the 4th -6th graders will have the Big Spin. This is the awards ceremony we have every trimester to recognize students' achievements including sportsmanship, academic achievement (outstanding work ethic), reading (AR word count), attendance, and citizenship. In the final trimester 4th Graders are also eligible for honor roll. After the awards, all students who have not received a pink slip during the trimester are entered in a raffle, and if their name is selected they spin a giant wheel for prizes--thus, the Big Spin.
On other days this week, we will get to see the 2nd grade play, as well as watch the film version of By the Great Horn Spoon.
On another note, a big thank you to Dawn Nemec. She worked with the kids in class ( and several additional hours at home) to put together a gorgeous auction project from Room 9.
Have a great week, and an awesome vacation!
Best regards,
Carroll Mayer
This week is short, with lots of excitement due to Spring Break! The homework packet will consist of a Social Studies Ch. 5/6 Review. We will have a test on these chapters on Thursday. The kids will also have math homework on Tuesday and Wednesday as usual.
On Thursday, the 4th -6th graders will have the Big Spin. This is the awards ceremony we have every trimester to recognize students' achievements including sportsmanship, academic achievement (outstanding work ethic), reading (AR word count), attendance, and citizenship. In the final trimester 4th Graders are also eligible for honor roll. After the awards, all students who have not received a pink slip during the trimester are entered in a raffle, and if their name is selected they spin a giant wheel for prizes--thus, the Big Spin.
On other days this week, we will get to see the 2nd grade play, as well as watch the film version of By the Great Horn Spoon.
On another note, a big thank you to Dawn Nemec. She worked with the kids in class ( and several additional hours at home) to put together a gorgeous auction project from Room 9.
Have a great week, and an awesome vacation!
Best regards,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Hi All,
Awesome rainy weekend! Too bad it's one hour shorter.
This week homework follows the usual pattern. The majority of the class has been responsible and consistent with their work, but if your child has been struggling with this responsibility, the beginning of the trimester is a terrific time to make a clean start.
Please send signed report card envelopes back with your child. They will be reused in June.
Our class now has its own Chrome Books! Along with all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes, we have a cart. This will enable the kids and I to incorporate much more technology throughout the day. We don't yet have headphones, but kids who have them may bring them to use during the appropriate times.
Have a great week!
Carroll Mayer
Awesome rainy weekend! Too bad it's one hour shorter.
This week homework follows the usual pattern. The majority of the class has been responsible and consistent with their work, but if your child has been struggling with this responsibility, the beginning of the trimester is a terrific time to make a clean start.
Please send signed report card envelopes back with your child. They will be reused in June.
Our class now has its own Chrome Books! Along with all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes, we have a cart. This will enable the kids and I to incorporate much more technology throughout the day. We don't yet have headphones, but kids who have them may bring them to use during the appropriate times.
Have a great week!
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Hi All,
I hope you're enjoying this rain-filled weekend!
This week, we'll continue our study of fractions. I've been pleased with the kids' understanding of this challenging math concept so far. We'll also continue to focus on analyzing story problems carefully, and applying the strategies that each student prefers to solve them accurately.
We finished our persuasive letters to Congressman Farr, and will be signing and mailing them off this week. We are also nearing the end of our terrific historical novel, By the Great Horn Spoon. Kids may take AR tests on this book when they've completed it. In addition, I've been conferencing with students and setting last trimester AR goals. All students are keeping a goal at least as high as Trimester 2. I am also challenging them again to make 10% of their AR points with nonfiction. The kids read daily in class, but are expected to read a minimum of 20-30 minutes per day outside of school as well. Kids this age also still enjoy listening to books read by their parents!
Report cards will come home this Friday. Please regard the report card as an opportunity for discussion and goal-setting. This final trimester goes by fast, but there is still plenty of time to grow!
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
I hope you're enjoying this rain-filled weekend!
This week, we'll continue our study of fractions. I've been pleased with the kids' understanding of this challenging math concept so far. We'll also continue to focus on analyzing story problems carefully, and applying the strategies that each student prefers to solve them accurately.
We finished our persuasive letters to Congressman Farr, and will be signing and mailing them off this week. We are also nearing the end of our terrific historical novel, By the Great Horn Spoon. Kids may take AR tests on this book when they've completed it. In addition, I've been conferencing with students and setting last trimester AR goals. All students are keeping a goal at least as high as Trimester 2. I am also challenging them again to make 10% of their AR points with nonfiction. The kids read daily in class, but are expected to read a minimum of 20-30 minutes per day outside of school as well. Kids this age also still enjoy listening to books read by their parents!
Report cards will come home this Friday. Please regard the report card as an opportunity for discussion and goal-setting. This final trimester goes by fast, but there is still plenty of time to grow!
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, February 29, 2016
Hi All,
I'm sorry to be tardy with this post. Weekends are just too short!
The trimester ends this Wednesday. I know many kids have been "thinking" about their AR goals, but the deadline is almost here. All AR tests taken after Wednesday will go toward the final trimester's goal. If your child is struggling with meeting their target, please remind them that making mistakes (like not completing work on time) is an opportunity to grow. A missed deadline is a great time to talk about pacing yourself, and making plans. Some kids haven't taken tests on all the books they've read. Others haven't read enough. (They should be reading every night, and also read independently about 25 minutes a day in class.) Finally, please remember that AR is not an end in itself-- it's supposed to be an opportunity for kids to have structured, yet independent reading at their level. If your child is reading a lot, but not taking tests, that's a different challenge.
Aside from that, we continue with fractions this week, and will be for quite a while. Fractions are one of the hardest concepts, and I encourage you to use the YouTube videos as a resource. As with other units, kids will represent and work with fractions in a variety of ways, some of which are new to most adults. Please encourage your child to be open to all the ways.
We have also shifted back to Social Studies, and will be reading about the period leading up to the Gold Rush. Soon, we will be starting a simulation activity called Golden Gulch. Finally, children are wrapping up their persuasive letters to Congressman Sam Farr regarding ocean health, and they will be mailed next week. Please contact me if you do not wish your child to use their home address in their letter.
Have a great week. Report cards will be sent home next Friday, March 11th.
Carroll
I'm sorry to be tardy with this post. Weekends are just too short!
The trimester ends this Wednesday. I know many kids have been "thinking" about their AR goals, but the deadline is almost here. All AR tests taken after Wednesday will go toward the final trimester's goal. If your child is struggling with meeting their target, please remind them that making mistakes (like not completing work on time) is an opportunity to grow. A missed deadline is a great time to talk about pacing yourself, and making plans. Some kids haven't taken tests on all the books they've read. Others haven't read enough. (They should be reading every night, and also read independently about 25 minutes a day in class.) Finally, please remember that AR is not an end in itself-- it's supposed to be an opportunity for kids to have structured, yet independent reading at their level. If your child is reading a lot, but not taking tests, that's a different challenge.
Aside from that, we continue with fractions this week, and will be for quite a while. Fractions are one of the hardest concepts, and I encourage you to use the YouTube videos as a resource. As with other units, kids will represent and work with fractions in a variety of ways, some of which are new to most adults. Please encourage your child to be open to all the ways.
We have also shifted back to Social Studies, and will be reading about the period leading up to the Gold Rush. Soon, we will be starting a simulation activity called Golden Gulch. Finally, children are wrapping up their persuasive letters to Congressman Sam Farr regarding ocean health, and they will be mailed next week. Please contact me if you do not wish your child to use their home address in their letter.
Have a great week. Report cards will be sent home next Friday, March 11th.
Carroll
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Hi All,
First of all, thanks so much to all of you who came on our mission field trip last Friday. It was a beautiful day, and the kids loved exploring Mission San Juan Bautista! We learned that they have special activities on the first Saturday of each month, and I know many of the kids would love to return and share them with siblings and other family members. This Tuesday, we have another great opportunity--our Math Festival. The kids will have the chance to work on the many hands-on activities during the day, and families are encouraged to return together in the evening. They also need volunteer help with Tuesday's activities. Please contact Mrs. Davis, or call the school if you are able to help.
This week, we begin fractions. As with other units, the emphasis is on kids understanding the concept and knowing how to work with fractions in a deep way. I highly recommend the YouTube videos by Dwayne Habecker, and encourage you and your children to watch them as we work on this concept that many find challenging.
Module 5, Lesson 1
We are approaching the end of the trimester. Many of the kids have worked hard and already met their AR goal for the term. However, there are some kids that have not. Please review this with your child. Along with the regular goal, I asked the kids to read 10% nonfiction, and it is noted at the bottom of their progress page when they log into the site. (The purpose of the goal is to track students' reading, and make sure that they are getting enough reading practice, and comprehending the books they choose. Kids who are struggling to meet their goal may not be reading enough, may be selecting books that they are not ready to read independently, or may be procrastinating with taking the tests. )
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
First of all, thanks so much to all of you who came on our mission field trip last Friday. It was a beautiful day, and the kids loved exploring Mission San Juan Bautista! We learned that they have special activities on the first Saturday of each month, and I know many of the kids would love to return and share them with siblings and other family members. This Tuesday, we have another great opportunity--our Math Festival. The kids will have the chance to work on the many hands-on activities during the day, and families are encouraged to return together in the evening. They also need volunteer help with Tuesday's activities. Please contact Mrs. Davis, or call the school if you are able to help.
This week, we begin fractions. As with other units, the emphasis is on kids understanding the concept and knowing how to work with fractions in a deep way. I highly recommend the YouTube videos by Dwayne Habecker, and encourage you and your children to watch them as we work on this concept that many find challenging.
Module 5, Lesson 1
We are approaching the end of the trimester. Many of the kids have worked hard and already met their AR goal for the term. However, there are some kids that have not. Please review this with your child. Along with the regular goal, I asked the kids to read 10% nonfiction, and it is noted at the bottom of their progress page when they log into the site. (The purpose of the goal is to track students' reading, and make sure that they are getting enough reading practice, and comprehending the books they choose. Kids who are struggling to meet their goal may not be reading enough, may be selecting books that they are not ready to read independently, or may be procrastinating with taking the tests. )
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, February 15, 2016
Hi All,
I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Presidents' Day!
This week's homework packet was sent home last Tuesday, and is due on Friday. We will have a spelling and vocabulary test first thing on Friday, and then head off on our field trip to Mission San Juan Bautista. The Fourth Grade will be returning from the mission in time to hear a presentation on bullying from Brian Stow, also scheduled for Friday, at 1:00. There are a few children who still need to return their permission slips.
We will wrap up our Geometry unit with a module test on Thursday, so math homework this week will be review for the test. We'll begin studying fractions on February 22 with the Math Festival also scheduled for that week, on Tuesday, February 23rd. There will be a night time component to the festival, so please save the date.
Finally, a big thank you to all our Room Parents, Lori, Mary, and Michelle, who planned another great celebration for Valentine's Day. Thanks, as well, to the parents who came by and contributed to the party with treats, drinks, and other necessities. Thanks also, to those of you who have volunteered to drive to the mission. We have enough drivers, and I will be contacting all to confirm plans.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Presidents' Day!
This week's homework packet was sent home last Tuesday, and is due on Friday. We will have a spelling and vocabulary test first thing on Friday, and then head off on our field trip to Mission San Juan Bautista. The Fourth Grade will be returning from the mission in time to hear a presentation on bullying from Brian Stow, also scheduled for Friday, at 1:00. There are a few children who still need to return their permission slips.
We will wrap up our Geometry unit with a module test on Thursday, so math homework this week will be review for the test. We'll begin studying fractions on February 22 with the Math Festival also scheduled for that week, on Tuesday, February 23rd. There will be a night time component to the festival, so please save the date.
Finally, a big thank you to all our Room Parents, Lori, Mary, and Michelle, who planned another great celebration for Valentine's Day. Thanks, as well, to the parents who came by and contributed to the party with treats, drinks, and other necessities. Thanks also, to those of you who have volunteered to drive to the mission. We have enough drivers, and I will be contacting all to confirm plans.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
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