May 3, 2008

One week of testing done and one more week to go. Thank you for making sure the kids were on time last week, I know the circle drop-off in morning can be a challenge. This next week we will be done with all test by Thursday

Hope to see all of you next Saturday night at the Spring Fling. The kids have a beautiful shell mirror ready for auction…who will be the lucky winner?

Hope you are able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the warmer weather we are experiencing…who knows what it will be like next week.

Mrs. Jones

PS I was looking at the Patriots football schedule for the upcoming year and saw that they will be in SF early in Oct…anybody have leads on tickets

April 29, 2008

We have now completed two days of testing and the kids are doing great. This is a very stressful time for all of us, but I am confident “our” kids are doing the best they can to wade through the pages of questions, reading carefully, and remembering all the reading, math, and test taking strategies we have been working on ALL year. The only homework they will have for the next two weeks will be the reading and completion in the packet of The Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Making Words, and a Sudoku puzzle.

Last call for anyone that would like to be a Mystery Reader, only a few Fridays left. The kids have truly enjoyed our Friday afternoon guests and look forward to each reading. Also, remember we have one more field trip coming up in June, the date and more information coming your way.

Last week we had Miss Kelly, from the Marin Historical Museum in our class for two wonderful lessons about the role of trains in Marin County in the early 1920s…and also the impact of the local dairies in Marin/Sonoma Counties. I hope you child shared what they learned! I for one didn’t know that Redwood trees covered southern Marin up to the time of the 1906 earthquake, those tress were used for lumber to rebuild San Francisco.

Friday will be our last day with Mr. Moody, the dance instructor. The kids have really enjoyed having him here and they have learned a lot under his direction. In this weeks Friday Folder look for the flyer from the music teacher about the up-coming program in June Lastly, don’t forget the Spring Fling is almost here, we have been working on our shell project for auction. The room moms were in Monday working with the kids during lunch, can’t wait to see the finished project. Thanks to all who brought in shells.

During this testing period:

It is not enough to have a good mind.

The main thing is to use it well.

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Have a great week..

Mrs. Jones

April 20, 2008

Welcome back to the blog…with Spring Break and getting ready for Open House I have neglected my postings Open House was a huge success. I know the kids had a wonderful time showing you all their work and projects they have been working on this year. Hard to believe there are only 8 weeks of school left for this year. This upcoming week is the last full week we have before the STAR testing cycle starts. I will be spending this week reviewing materials we have covered this year, taking a few practice test and reminding students how important these test are without putting undue pressure on them I believe some students think school is over now that we have had Open House. Last week in class was an eye opener for me, so we will be returning to structure and routine for the rest of the year. It would be very helpful for all of us if you would spend a few minutes reminding your student the importance of school, why we take standardized test and to be respectful to me and the other children who want to hear what I have to say. I may not believe these test are as important as we make them out to be, but until the State of California and The Department of Education change their thoughts, the test are here to stay. As your child’s teacher I will do what it takes to prepare all students so they in turn can do their best.

Just a reminder, I still have a few spots left if you would like to be a Mystery Reader. If Friday, at 1:00 PM does not work for you we can change the time to fit your schedule. I know the kids love seeing their parent pop into the classroom. Also, their is one more field trip planned for June, a walking tour of downtown Novato…No drivers needed, very fun!

On Dreams and Goals:

If you don’t know where you want to go,

any road will take you there.

African-American Proverb

Have a great week..

Mrs. Jones

March 19, 2007

This may sound like an odd request,  but we have been studying in class about our town of Novato. The next activity I have planned for the kids requires I have 4 Novato City Maps. The kids will be working in teams using the map for a scavenger like hunt.  Please let me know if you might have one we could use for a few days.

Field trip for Friday is all set…we go rain or shine. Please have a wonderful Easter if I don’t see you before Sunday, and remember we have school next week.

Mrs. Jones

March 16, 2008

What a pleasure it is to have more light at night for a baseball game, a refreshing walk or just enjoying time to sit and chat . All is moving forward in room 10. This week we will be having a test in math on chp. 20, division with remainders. Next stop geometry and fractions. Biography banners are due Wednesday, the 26th. Each student will be required to speak about their banner explaining why they chose the symbols they did to represent their person. Report cards will be coming home Friday. It is sometimes confusing to understand what the “numbers” represent because we all grew up receiving letter grades. My goal is for all students to achieve 3s, menaning they have met 3rd grade standards. A 2, means they have an understanding of the standard, but have not mastered the concept. Please do not attach a letter grade to a number grade, they are not the same value.

On Friday, we will be leaving school about 8:40 AM and should be back at Rancho by 2:00 PM. Please have your student dress in layers, pack a sack lunch with water. A hat and comfy shoes is also a good idea. This field trip is all outside, so if it looks like rain please pack an umbrella or a large garbage bag we can make into rain protection. The following Thursday, March 27th, we have scheduled a trip into the city for a docent lead tour of the DeYoung museum. At this time I still need at least 3 more drivers. I’m sorry this is so close to the Pt. Reyes trip, but I do not pick my dates, they are chosen for me.

Lastly, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Open House, April 4th. The kids have been busy working on projects to share with you and also show off about what they have learned so far this year. The annual Scholastic book fair will also be going on that week of school. And yes, the next week is spring break…seems strange because it is not tied to Easter.

You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.

Dr. Seuss (1909-1991)

 

The kids are great, I’m so lucky to have such a great bunch of willing participants!!

 

Mrs. Jones

 

March 3, 2008

If you haven’t a chance to be a mystery reader there are still open dates: 4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 5/30, 6/6…let me know 

March 2, 2008

It is true what they say about March, “In like a lion.” Let’s hope is goes out like a lamb!

The activities in Room 10 continue to produce a lot of excitement and positive energy. This past week we met in our Lit. Circles and discussed the the first three chapters in Charlotte’s Web. I assigned the next readings and page 2 of the Lit. Circles packet that will be discussed on Thursday, March 6th, between 2:15 -2:45. I would welcome 3-4 volunteers to monitor a group, let me know if you are interested. The following weeks we will discuss the book on Thursday mornings 9:45-10:15. I sent home a permission slip for the up coming field trip out to Pt. Reyes, I also need drivers. This week I will be sending out another permission slip and will be requesting parent drivers for that field trip too: destination a docent lead tour of the De Young Museum.

We are wrapping up our study of the Solar System this week and finishing the projects related to our study of the Miwok Indians. Hard to believe that Open House is in 4 weeks and then on to the final push before Star Testing…. We are continuing the “adventure” of long division with remainders. I have observed those students who have a strong recall of multiplication/division math facts are finding remembering all the steps to division less frustrating. The next unit in math we will be working through is geometry, always a fun unit with many math/art projects to stretch the thinking.

Report Cards will be coming out at the end of the month. It has been a long time since you received an official report of your child’s progress, however, the weekly Friday Folder reflects your child’s progress. Please recall when we spoke in November I mentioned the second trimester marks could look very different because this trimester introduced new materials and students may not have mastered them before the end of the reporting period.

On Monday I will be sending home a reading/project sheet for students to complete. The students will receive a sheet with all the information needed to complete the assignment, along with the due date. As always, do not hesitate to contact me through email (sjones@nusd.org) or voice mail (415-897-9082 x562) if you have questions or concerns.

On reading:

The man who does not read good books, has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Have a great week…

Mrs. Jones

PS Did your student tell you about our water experiments this past week?

February 10, 2008

Welcome to post Sunday without football Hope you were able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather. I spent a good portion of Sunday raking leaves and picking up small tree branches, more like twigs actually.

I will be posting information soon about the 2 field trips we have coming up at the end of March. I will need drivers for both. One day we spend out at Pt. Reyes and the other at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco. I would like for any one who wants to volunteer to drive and chaperon get a chance so let me know if you are interested…remember, you must have filled out the driving forms .

When we get back from President’s Week we will be starting Charlotte’s Web, but until then the kids have free choice for their nightly reading. We will be starting division with remainders this week, always a challenge.

I apologize for taking so long to post our latest Mystery Readers, we all love having you come in and sharing your time with us. Wish you could see the faces of the kids when I’m reading off the clues, precious!

Have a great week, maybe I’ll see some of you at the Valentine’s breakfast on Thursday…

Mrs. Jones

t to

Super Bowl Sunday….yikes!

I am a bundle of nerves this morning as I wait for the outcome of today’s game. However, I’ll take the nerves compared to what I had been feeling all week. I’m feeling much better and will be at school tomorrow, however , it will be a light day. I have the pop corn and pop ( diet 7 up) for our “Marble” party tomorrow, if this doesn’t work for you please feel free to bring your own snack. Party will be after lunch.

Depending on the game outcome we could be back to a regular homework schedule tomorrow, we need to sit and wait. 

I have pictures to post today from our last two Mystery Readers, the kids have really enjoyed our guests…thanks parents.

GO PATRIOTS… defense!!!!

Mrs. Jones

On sports and winning:

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.

(misquoted by sportswriter Red Saunders, it became the popular saying,

“Winning isn’t everything-it is the only thing.”)

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970)

January 21, 2008

I told the kids that if the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl there would be NO homework for a week except for nightly reading. I’m happy to keep my promise. Way to go Pats!!  FYI, I also told them if they won the Super Bowl there would be 2 weeks of No homework 

Mrs. Jones

Actually, any grocery shop will do. We need 20 meat trays, 8 1/2 x 6 1/2. If you tell them they are for a class project they don’t usually hesitate. We could use them as soon as possible. We are weaving ……

Mrs. J