Where did September Go?

It seems like time is really starting to march along. Can you believe that we are now going into October? You would hardly know it by how the weather has been. I guess time flies when you are having fun.
This week we took our first Wordly Wise assessment and started our week two lessons. We started brainstorms on our personal narratives. The topic is about a time when you solved a problem. If you remember a time when you child solved a problem, let them know. Some students told me that they have never solved a problem. I know that our class is too smart to have never solved problems! We will be using graphic organizers to scaffold the writing into smaller components.
This week we will continue with our math open-ended questions. Today's question was, How can you cut a cake into 8 pieces using only 3 cuts?" Ask your child the answer if you can't figure it out. By Friday we will present our mathematician project. We will focus on beautiful work.
In science we are learning about different rock types and the food chain. We are looking for correlations between different habitats Native American communities.
If you have not signed up for a goal setting conference please do so before or after school. I am also available for conferences on Wednesday mornings. Please notify me ahead of time if you wish to have a conference. I don't always have access to internet right now so the phone is the best way to get a hold of me. 619-972-6032
Thanks

Fall is here!

I would like to thank all of the parents who made it to our open house and our beach potluck last week. I really enjoyed getting to meet all of you and learning more about you and your student. Don't forget if you did not sign up for a goal setting conference please come by before of after school to do this. Conferences are beginning on October 11th through the 14th. The 15th is a day off for teacher professional development.

In class we have completed our exploration of the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. We will be comparing these needs to the needs of Native American societies. We will be exploring how different ecosystems influenced the development of Native American tribes. Our science standards will focus on the water cycle, food cycle, and other earth sciences.

For language arts we have begun our learning headquarters writing program. Ask you child to tell you to explain what makes "powerful sentences." We will be reviewing our fifth grade writing standards and creating a poster of what our expectations will be. Also, everyday we are practicing our power writing to improve fluency.

For math we have been focusing on how to post answers in our math journals. We are exploring how to express our mathematical thinking via open-ended math question. We are also exploring our math experiences in our mathematician project.

If you have any questions feel free to call 619-972-6032 or see me before or after school.

Week Three

Well it is now Tuesday of week three. I would just like to say that I am very happy with the community that we are creating with each other. Thank you for turning in all of the paper work. I know that there was a lot to fill out.

Don't forget that this Thursday we will be having our mandatory open house starting at 5:00 for dinner at a cost of $5.00. Starting at 6:00 and 6:30 (half hour each) we will be having conversations about our policies and philosophies. I can't wait to see you then! Don't forget about our pot luck on Saturday. It is posted on my web site with directions.

Thanks,
Bill

2nd Week

I pleased to announce that we have safely arrived at week two. The class is adjusting to the expectations that we all have set. During the next few weeks we will be continuing with our team building and reviewing procedures. We have begun working on our writing journals and our power writing. We will also discuss what our hopes and dreams are for the coming year.

Please remember that if you have not filled out this years registration packet, please do so asap. You can get one from Donna or me if you need an extra copy. Also, remember that each child needs to eat breakfast before coming to school. Many of the students are complaining that they are hungry due to lack of breakfast. As a parent I know it can be difficult sometimes to get everyone feed. Children can't concentrate as well when they are hungry. It makes their job of learning more difficult.

I have a web site up that you can access for additional support links and information. www.billthomas.webs.com

September is Here!

Today we had our first day of class and I am very excited to announce that all went very well. I look forward to getting to know all the students in the upcoming weeks. Be sure to fill out the enrollment form and turn it in to either Donna or me. This has to be done for all students, even returning ones. I need the permission slips filled out so we can utilize the local park and get some exercise.
I have also purchased Wordly Wise vocabulary books for each student so I will need 15 dollars reimbursement to cover my cost. Please let me know if you are not able to cover this cost. Also, I have also changed the day of our beach day. I CANNOT MAKE the original September 11th day. I will be performing at the OB Jazz festival that day. I would like to schedule it for the 18th from 2:00 to 5:00pm. Please continue to pick up your students from the room so we can chat each day. I look forward to sharing all that we have learned from each other.