Greetings Family of Room E4!
We've had two more wild weeks here in the hills of Tiburon, and I believe we are all looking forward to a long three-day weekend. Before we go, we'd like to share a little glimpse into our world.
We've had two more wild weeks here in the hills of Tiburon, and I believe we are all looking forward to a long three-day weekend. Before we go, we'd like to share a little glimpse into our world.
MOSAIC CAMP
Last week E4 students Hannah, Lucy, and Kendall went to MOSAIC camp where they spent four nights with "three classes from schools that differ markedly in socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic make-up... giving the students the opportunity to experience firsthand a diverse setting in which all are welcomed and respected." We are proud of them for going, but we excited to have them back to share the MOSAIC values with us!
Last week E4 students Hannah, Lucy, and Kendall went to MOSAIC camp where they spent four nights with "three classes from schools that differ markedly in socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic make-up... giving the students the opportunity to experience firsthand a diverse setting in which all are welcomed and respected." We are proud of them for going, but we excited to have them back to share the MOSAIC values with us!
Tales of the Night
Thanks to parent volunteers Elaine Nolan, Julie Cooke, Courtney Finnegan, Margaret DeSomma, Robert Giebler and Rose Costa, we were able to see Tales of the Night at the San Rafael Theater last Tuesday. Here is a teaser if you haven't seen it yet (although our version was dubbed in English).
Thanks to parent volunteers Elaine Nolan, Julie Cooke, Courtney Finnegan, Margaret DeSomma, Robert Giebler and Rose Costa, we were able to see Tales of the Night at the San Rafael Theater last Tuesday. Here is a teaser if you haven't seen it yet (although our version was dubbed in English).
Below: Bel Aire students after the show.
Art Class
This month we have had the pleasure of receiving weekly art classes with Ms. Caldwell. Click on her website to learn more.
This month we have had the pleasure of receiving weekly art classes with Ms. Caldwell. Click on her website to learn more.
Math - Working with Decimals
For the past two weeks we have been working with decimals. Next Wednesday we will take our Unit 2 math test which deals primarily with decimal-related problems. To assist in student learning and to help them to take the review process into their own hands, I have expanded the math section of this website to include tutorial videos and links to practice problem. Click on the following links to see more on arithmetic, decimals, and algebra.
For the past two weeks we have been working with decimals. Next Wednesday we will take our Unit 2 math test which deals primarily with decimal-related problems. To assist in student learning and to help them to take the review process into their own hands, I have expanded the math section of this website to include tutorial videos and links to practice problem. Click on the following links to see more on arithmetic, decimals, and algebra.
Science - How plants grow and leaf classification
For the past three weeks we have been investigating plant systems and learning how to classify them by their leaves. This included a discovery activity where we collected different leaf samples from around the Bel Aire campus and then categorized them in various ways with our table groups.
For the past three weeks we have been investigating plant systems and learning how to classify them by their leaves. This included a discovery activity where we collected different leaf samples from around the Bel Aire campus and then categorized them in various ways with our table groups.
Yesterday we took a test on vascular plants and I was very proud of the results.
Tech Buddies
Today we had 4th-grade tech buddies from Ms. Brigulio's class join us to share their projects on Toontastic. We then had some creative freedom to continue working on Toontastic with them.
Today we had 4th-grade tech buddies from Ms. Brigulio's class join us to share their projects on Toontastic. We then had some creative freedom to continue working on Toontastic with them.
Seminars
We have continued with seminars this week (we are in week 3 of 6). My group is currently working on building a 3D model of a house. Students in the other seminars are doing everything from creative writing to science exploration to learning about Shakespeare.
We have continued with seminars this week (we are in week 3 of 6). My group is currently working on building a 3D model of a house. Students in the other seminars are doing everything from creative writing to science exploration to learning about Shakespeare.
Narrative Writing
We have started the brainstorming and exploration stages of narrative writing. All students have written a list of "seed" ideas and have started to "water" them to see which memories will make for a great story.
We have started the brainstorming and exploration stages of narrative writing. All students have written a list of "seed" ideas and have started to "water" them to see which memories will make for a great story.
Explorer Project
Students have been partnered up with a classmate, and they have chosen an explorer to research for a class project. All groups will share out their final project to the class, and they get to choose how they will present it: Comic Life, Pages Brochure, iMovie, Toontastic or Keynote.
Students have been partnered up with a classmate, and they have chosen an explorer to research for a class project. All groups will share out their final project to the class, and they get to choose how they will present it: Comic Life, Pages Brochure, iMovie, Toontastic or Keynote.
As a final reminder, we do not have school on Monday (staff development day). Enjoy your long weekend with your child! I am very fortunate to be working with such a wonderful class!
-Paul
-Paul