Hi All,
Sorry to be tardy with this post, especially with so much happening these days!
First of all, a big thank you to the parents who drove and chaperoned Friday's field trip in Monterey. Even with the goofy directions, you all found your way and kept your good humor. You are so appreciated.
Secondly, I was overwhelmed last week with all the wonderful treats, lattes, flowers, gifts and cards. Thank you all so much! I felt fussed over the entire week.
As for business, the science project, including "poster" on the file folder, is due this Wednesday. The kids haven't had any other homework, so I expect the the work to be beautifully completed. I will not be sending home math homework for the remainder of the year, but the kids will have one more project to work on at home. The Famous Artist Wax Museum is scheduled for Friday, May 27th from 10:15-11:00. Kids will submit their 2-4 paragraph speeches by Friday, May 20th, and will practice and memorize them at home and school during the week between these two dates. They will also need to put together a "dress up" style costume for the wax museum. Lastly, we are happily finishing up the remaining bits of testing, and have returned to a more normal in class routine.
The final book order was sent home last week, and is due this Wednesday. You can order from the brochures sent home, or online from any of Scholastic's offerings. It's fun to start the summer with new books, and essential that kids continue their daily reading throughout the break. Our class has read over 20 million words this year!
Finally, this Thursday is Open House from 6:30-7:30. Please come by!
Have a great week, and see you Thursday night,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, May 9, 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Hi All,
It's a shock, but we are now entering our final month of the school year. May promises to be a busy month.
First of all, thanks to those of you who came out to help and cheer during Jogging for the Arts. It was lots of fun! Next, thanks to the people who've offered to drive and chaperon for our field trip this Friday. We have enough drivers now!
This week the kids will continue with state testing. We are also still working on math and reading Esperanza Rising, along with Golden Gulch and the watercolor lessons from our Spectra Art teacher. On Thursday, it was impressive to see the kids' plans for science projects, and I look forward to seeing their finished products and hearing their results next week.
Our final big project, which will begin in class this week, is a Famous Artist "Wax Museum". Each kid will research an artist of their choice and then recite a short speech about their life in first person. As with 3rd Grade's Famous American speeches, kids will dress up in character.
Happy May, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
It's a shock, but we are now entering our final month of the school year. May promises to be a busy month.
First of all, thanks to those of you who came out to help and cheer during Jogging for the Arts. It was lots of fun! Next, thanks to the people who've offered to drive and chaperon for our field trip this Friday. We have enough drivers now!
This week the kids will continue with state testing. We are also still working on math and reading Esperanza Rising, along with Golden Gulch and the watercolor lessons from our Spectra Art teacher. On Thursday, it was impressive to see the kids' plans for science projects, and I look forward to seeing their finished products and hearing their results next week.
Our final big project, which will begin in class this week, is a Famous Artist "Wax Museum". Each kid will research an artist of their choice and then recite a short speech about their life in first person. As with 3rd Grade's Famous American speeches, kids will dress up in character.
Happy May, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, April 25, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Hi All,
First of all, thanks for the kind deeds throughout the week. I enjoyed a lovely bouquet, some delicious treats, and a latte! However, that's not too unusual this year. You all have fussed over me many days, and it's always appreciated! Thanks so much!
This week 4th Grade will begin standardized testing. We will be working on the tests 1-2 hours per day, so that kids are at their freshest and most energetic. I will not be using parent volunteers during this period, as our schedule will be shifted around daily.
On Friday, we will be Jogging for the Arts. The kids look forward to this event every year, and it assures us of the funding for arts. Thanks in advance for your work and donations for and to this fundraiser. Coincidentally, we began our first art lesson last week. The kids will be learning about watercolor. Their first project was a California-themed treasure map!
Finally, because of testing, I will not be sending home a normal packet, or math, for the next few weeks. The kids will be bringing home a Science Fair project that they should work on during the next weeks. There is a portion of the project to turn in this Thursday, so please review the assignment with your child right away. I will also put the handout in the Google Classroom, so kids can access additional copies if needed.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
First of all, thanks for the kind deeds throughout the week. I enjoyed a lovely bouquet, some delicious treats, and a latte! However, that's not too unusual this year. You all have fussed over me many days, and it's always appreciated! Thanks so much!
This week 4th Grade will begin standardized testing. We will be working on the tests 1-2 hours per day, so that kids are at their freshest and most energetic. I will not be using parent volunteers during this period, as our schedule will be shifted around daily.
On Friday, we will be Jogging for the Arts. The kids look forward to this event every year, and it assures us of the funding for arts. Thanks in advance for your work and donations for and to this fundraiser. Coincidentally, we began our first art lesson last week. The kids will be learning about watercolor. Their first project was a California-themed treasure map!
Finally, because of testing, I will not be sending home a normal packet, or math, for the next few weeks. The kids will be bringing home a Science Fair project that they should work on during the next weeks. There is a portion of the project to turn in this Thursday, so please review the assignment with your child right away. I will also put the handout in the Google Classroom, so kids can access additional copies if needed.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Hi All,
What a beautiful weekend!
First of all, my compliments to your beautiful children, who sustained a polite, independent "Grand Conversation" on the book Coolies. For 45 minutes they respectfully shared their thoughts about this historical fiction picture book on the Chinese workers who built the transcontinental railroad. Kids mentioned discrimination, family loyalty, asked questions, and made comparisons to other books we've read like Wonder and our Reflections text. Their conversation ended Friday on a bright and powerful note!
On Friday we were also fortunate to have a terrific assembly by the Banana Slug String Band, sponsored by Soquel Creek Water District. In addition, we squeezed in the spelling and vocabulary test and the mid-module test on fractions.
This week will be the final week of RTI, and our last week of spelling words in the homework packet. ( We will still be reading and will still have homework packets!). Packets during the remainder of the year will be project-oriented. The first project will be a science experiment and presentation, which will be due on Tuesday, May 10th. Information will be coming home on next week's packet, but kids can start thinking about simple science experiments now.
Fourth Grade will begin state testing in a week, and parent volunteers will be cancelled during the two week window. While we won't be testing for hours and hours each day, our normal schedule will be shifted about somewhat. We will continue with math lessons on some days, but I don't intend to send math homework during the two weeks of testing. As I mentioned above, RTI will end after this week. Instead, our class will be reading the novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan, and will have independent Reader's Workshop time as well.
It's hard to believe, but our class has used all the pencils, end cap erasers, wipes, and Kleenex sent in at the beginning of the year. If you can send in a bit more (especially pencils), we'd really appreciate it!
Finally, on Monday I'm sending home permission slips for our field trip to Monterey's Custom and Pacific House museums. It is scheduled for Friday, May 6th. Please return the permission slip and $3 ASAP. Email me if you are able to drive on that day, and already have cleared TB tests and fingerprints on file.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
What a beautiful weekend!
First of all, my compliments to your beautiful children, who sustained a polite, independent "Grand Conversation" on the book Coolies. For 45 minutes they respectfully shared their thoughts about this historical fiction picture book on the Chinese workers who built the transcontinental railroad. Kids mentioned discrimination, family loyalty, asked questions, and made comparisons to other books we've read like Wonder and our Reflections text. Their conversation ended Friday on a bright and powerful note!
On Friday we were also fortunate to have a terrific assembly by the Banana Slug String Band, sponsored by Soquel Creek Water District. In addition, we squeezed in the spelling and vocabulary test and the mid-module test on fractions.
This week will be the final week of RTI, and our last week of spelling words in the homework packet. ( We will still be reading and will still have homework packets!). Packets during the remainder of the year will be project-oriented. The first project will be a science experiment and presentation, which will be due on Tuesday, May 10th. Information will be coming home on next week's packet, but kids can start thinking about simple science experiments now.
Fourth Grade will begin state testing in a week, and parent volunteers will be cancelled during the two week window. While we won't be testing for hours and hours each day, our normal schedule will be shifted about somewhat. We will continue with math lessons on some days, but I don't intend to send math homework during the two weeks of testing. As I mentioned above, RTI will end after this week. Instead, our class will be reading the novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan, and will have independent Reader's Workshop time as well.
It's hard to believe, but our class has used all the pencils, end cap erasers, wipes, and Kleenex sent in at the beginning of the year. If you can send in a bit more (especially pencils), we'd really appreciate it!
Finally, on Monday I'm sending home permission slips for our field trip to Monterey's Custom and Pacific House museums. It is scheduled for Friday, May 6th. Please return the permission slip and $3 ASAP. Email me if you are able to drive on that day, and already have cleared TB tests and fingerprints on file.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Hi All,
We will continue with our normal routines this week (in terms of homework.). I've been assigning more activities using technology, so if computer access is an issue for your child, I encourage attendance to the After School program at least once a week. Computers are always available during the second hour. We will have 2 more weeks of spelling, and then weekly homework will include some special projects.
State Testing begins for some grades next week, but we won't start for 2 more weeks.
We will be beginning Golden Gulch this week, which is a simulation activity that the kids work on in teams. We will learn a lot more about the gold rush, as well as team work.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
We will continue with our normal routines this week (in terms of homework.). I've been assigning more activities using technology, so if computer access is an issue for your child, I encourage attendance to the After School program at least once a week. Computers are always available during the second hour. We will have 2 more weeks of spelling, and then weekly homework will include some special projects.
State Testing begins for some grades next week, but we won't start for 2 more weeks.
We will be beginning Golden Gulch this week, which is a simulation activity that the kids work on in teams. We will learn a lot more about the gold rush, as well as team work.
Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer
Monday, April 4, 2016
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
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
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