This week we will be conducting an experiment that compares salt water and fresh water.  Students will make their own hypothesis on how the salinity of water will affect objects buoyancy and then conduct an experiment to support or disprove their hypothesis. 

There are no regular classes on Thursday!  We will be having an exhibition from 10:00 to 11:15 in the auditorium at St. Theresa’s.  Kindergarten and first grade student will be performing songs and poems.  Please arrive with your student at around 9:45 and take them home after the exhibition.  At the conclusion of the exhibition please collect your student and head out to your car.  The fourth grade exhibition starts at 11:30 and we need to make sure that the space is cleared.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you all!

The first semester is over, pat yourself on the back!  Progress reports will be sent home in early February.  If you have any questions about the progress report please feel free to either email me at bwilliams@kcsohana.com or call me at 344-5860. 

Thank you so much for all you work this year and here’s to a wonderful second half of the year!

This week we will continue our exploration of the ocean.  We have talked about the differences between ocean mammals and fish, animals that live in the tide pools and the dangers of pollution on our oceans.  Students have also begun learning a song that helps them remember the names of the four major oceans.

This Thursday we will be conducting an experiment that compares salt and fresh water.  Students will focus on making a hypothesis and analyzing the collected data to either support or contradict their original hypothesis.

This week we will also be conducting AIMS testing. It is important for your student attend both days in order to complete the testing, thank you for your cooperation.

Many of you have already turned in work samples and I am very impressed with all the learning that is going on at home.  I will return your folders to you on Thursday.  For those of you who have yet to turn in samples, please do so this week. 

On January 26th, we have Exhibition Day. Gr. K-3 will be starting at 10 a.m. We will not have class that day, so please arrive with your student and plan to stay about an hour.

The semester ends next week.  At that time your K12 work should be 40% to 50% complete.  I will be writing student progress reports and I will use class work, testing results, work samples and K12 progress when compiling your student report.   

Thank you for all you do and I look forward to a stellar week!

Aloha Families!

Last Thursday we started our ocean unit.  We had fun doing math with goldfish and the first graders are working on an acrostic ocean poem.  This week we will continue our studies by learning a song about the four main oceans and taking a look at the plants and animals that live in the ocean.   First graders will be making a chart that shows the three zones of the ocean, and we will discuss how humans use and impact the ocean.

Please take a look at this website for a virtual tidepool tour: http://montereybay.noaa.gov/visitor/TidePool/welcome.html

Please select two or three pieces of student work from each K12 unit and bring it in either Tuesday or Thursday.  I will add this work to your students file for use in their portfolios.

The semester ends on January 20.  At that time your student should be 50% complete in their online work.  If you do not meet this benchmark it will be reflected in your child’s progress report that is sent home in February. 

On January 26th we will have an exhibition starting at 10 am.  The kindergarteners and first graders will be singing a few songs and reciting some poems.  We will not have class on that day, so please arrive with your student by about 9:45. 

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy winter break.  I look forward to seeing you all on January 5th. 

Wow, I can’t believe it but this is the last week of school for 2011!

This week we will be doing some fun winter art activities as well as continuing to focus on our reading, writing and math skills. 

On Thursday we will join the 3rd graders and watch the second graders sing and dance the Macarena and Mexican Hat dance before returning to the room to make a yummy holiday treat. 

As a class we have been sharing about thing that make us happy and things that we are thankful for.  The student’s responses have been so thoughtful, and as parents, you are very, very well loved and appreciated!

On Friday I will be doing a final pre-break K12 progress check to determine who needs to continue working through break in order to be up-to-date in K12.  I am looking for percentages in the 30’s so please keep working with this goal in mind.  When we return in January there are only a few weeks before progress reports are sent out, and your K12 progress with contribute to the marks given on the report card. 

Please feel free to contact me either via email or phone with any questions or concerns. 

I hope your Holidays are happy, healthy and joyous!