Hi All,

Here we are, already beginning the second full week of school!

Thank you, thank you for all the donations of supplies. We are well outfitted with skinny Expo pens, pencils, and cleaning supplies. For now, I can barely close the cupboards, but I'll let you know if/when I run low!!  We use a lot of materials ( two boxes of Kleenex this week on beginning of the year sniffles.) Thanks, also, for those special nurturing gifts...the yummy bread and lattes. I feel very fortunate to be part of such a kind and generous community.

Most students have returned the paperwork that was due last Friday. If your child hasn't, please send it in right away. This includes the special Cotsen permission slip.

A reminder that TB tests and fingerprints are mandatory for adults helping in the class or driving on field trips. If you took care of this in our district last year, your info. is still valid. If you didn't do this last year, please consider taking care of these requirements, even if you are only able to drive on a single field trip per year.

This week the kids will be bringing home more typical homework. I will be giving them a handout on Monday that includes spelling words, a reading log, and Social Studies reading and questions. Those assignments are due on Fridays. In addition, the kids will bring home math homework on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and those assignments will be due the following day. We will be spending time in class reviewing the homework, so kids will best benefit from it if they come to class prepared with the work when it's due. I appreciate your support with this. For math this week, I've posted some links to YouTube videos of teachers presenting portions of the material. If you or your child need some support, please take a look. I realize that math is taught quite differently now than it was when we were kids, but I think the content is very interesting and much more thorough than it was in the past.

Finally, please feel free to email me with questions and concerns as they arise. I don't often respond to emails during class time, but will usually get back to you after school.

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to 4th grade, in Room 9!  I'm excited to begin a great new year.  My name is Ms. Mayer, and I will have met and seen many of you around the school.  This is my 12th year teaching at Rio del Mar, and my second year of 4th Grade. The shift from primary to intermediate grades has been a stimulating one for me, and I'm sure it will be for you as well.

To the right of this post you will see a supply list.  I really would like all students to have a homework folder and a clean sock.  Please don't get a binder.  They take up a lot of space in the desk and backpack, and are hard to organize.  The rest of the supplies are materials that we consume a lot of in the class, and will be shared with others in the room.  My priorities are good pencils and whiteboard pens. As we use them throughout the year, feel free to bring additional supplies whenever you're able. Anyone who is unable to purchase supplies will be provided with them, as I purchase materials with Parent Alliance funds as well!

Parents, please email me with your preferred contact information.  It's also helpful if you subscribe to the blog, as I post regularly.  I encourage you to have your child make checking the blog a part of their weekly routine as well.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Take care,
Carroll Mayer

Dear Families,

Thank you for a terrific year!  Fourth Grade has been a great academic adventure for me; I've had an exciting time learning about tape diagrams and California history right along with the kids.  This week, there is no homework.

Our grade level party is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, as it's not a Restructured Day.  The  Room Parents, Brandi and Julie,  are requesting a $5.00 donation by Tuesday to pay for the activities and treats.

Once  again, thanks to all of you for the tremendous support you've given your children and me. The transition from primary to intermediate grades is not an easy one, and recent changes in education created even more challenge. It's been wonderful to see the way the kids have risen to the increased rigor of the new standards.

Have a spectacular summer, and drop by and say "hi" when we're back in school,
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

Happy Mother's Day!  

This week we're returning to our homework routine. There will be a "packet" on Monday, and math homework most nights. 

We are also getting back to our RTI schedule, reading Esperanza Rising and Riding Freedom. Kids will present their Science Projects to the class Monday - Wednesday. We are also beginning a new writing project, and finishing up a Social Studies unit on railroads and communication in California during the period following the gold rush. 

A giant thank you to Jennifer  and Christa, for volunteering to trek around Cabrillo College with some very excited kids; and to Michael Pebworth for being our guide. The kids got a positive picture of the school, and some of the opportunities available on the campus. 

Finally, the Open House is this Thursday, May 14 at 6:30. I look forward to seeing you then!

Have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Hi All,

I hope you've had a great weekend!

While many members of the class have finished testing, we will still spend 1 or 2 more blocks of time dedicated to this activity. Students have been reading as they complete testing, and on Friday worked on an assignment in our Google Classroom (a network exclusively for students and teachers). Kids will also have more time on the Chrome Books for this assignment during the day.  The assignment is due for all on Wednesday, so if your child says that he/she is still actively testing, please allow some screen time at home to complete this assignment. During these remaining weeks of school I will be assigning various work to complete and submit digitally, through our Google Classroom.

The other big focus for homework is completion of the Science Fair project. This homework is due on Friday, May 8th. Students should have their full written project, as outlined in the handout sent home 2 weeks ago. I'm looking forward to seeing their experiments, and hearing their presentations during the week of May 11th.

On Friday, we'll be visiting Cabrillo College for our field trip. I need  a second form ( from Cabrillo) as well as the signed permission slips ASAP. I'll send home Cabrillo's form Monday. I'd also like one more chaperon. Try to get these forms in Tuesday.

This week our class is also beginning a 4 week Geology class, presented by Learn to Discover.  We'll begin on Monday, but the class is normally scheduled for Friday.

Thanks, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer

Hello,
I forgot to mention the final Scholastic book order. If you wish to purchase books, please send in an order by May 1, or order online using the class code posted on the blog.
Thanks,
Carroll Mayer

Hello All,
As you know 4th Graders will be taking the state test, referred to as the SBAC or CAASPP, this week. I will not be assigning any regular homework. Please enjoy this time, get plenty of rest, and work on science projects.

All the 4th grade classes will be going on a field trip to Cabrillo College on Friday, May 8th. We are riding on school buses, but are looking for a couple of parents to chaperon. Please let me know if you'd enjoy joining us. Permission slips will come home this week.

Take care, and have a great week,
Carroll Mayer