Homework:
4th Grade Math: No Homework
5th Grade Math: Math packet
There is no additional homework this evening in hopes that you will be able to attend The Berkeley School Art Show this evening from 6-8pm.
Optional Homework: Work on biography index cards.
Class Meeting: We focused our energy on choosing an organization to support for our annual TBS Walk-a-Thon. We looked at organizations that help animals in the Bay Area-- Wildcare, Muttville, Lindsay Wildlife Museum Hospital, Rabbit Ears, Home at Last, and a few others. We'll make our final decision by next week.
Portfolios: We began reflecting on our Lewis and Clark work to add to our portfolios. We will continue to reflect on our work throughout the rest of the year and add it to our portfolio.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Homework:
4th Grade Math: Division with remainders and multiplication facts (priority is the division page - do this first)
5th Grade Math: Math packet
Wordly Wise: Please work on WW Lesson 10 for 15-20 minutes.
Biographies: Students can continue to work on their biography notes at home, but this is optional if they have already finished reading their biography book.
Biography Project Update: In class tomorrow we will give a big push to complete as many index cards with information as possible. Our next step is to begin organizing the information to write the essay. On Friday we will discuss the Home Project and provide ideas for the students.
Reminder:
The Berkeley School Annual Student Art Show is this Thursday, February 28th from 6-8pm. Students aged 2-14 years old will be showing their work that they've completed in the arts program at TBS.
Writing Workshop:
Today we had the chance to finish our moments in time on the computers. We worked on revising and editing our moments to make them as descriptive and polished as possible!
Reading Workshop:
To continue our work on making connections, we listened to the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin and read the lyrical book, which is paired with art by Alexander Calder. We practiced making text-text, text-self, and text-world connections as a group and then in our own independent reading.
Buddy Day:
We partnered with our buddies today in a series of relay games!
We got to spend some time with our very own classroom baby, Autumn Roberts. It's great to see how big she is getting and all the new tricks she has learned!
4th Grade Math: Division with remainders and multiplication facts (priority is the division page - do this first)
5th Grade Math: Math packet
Wordly Wise: Please work on WW Lesson 10 for 15-20 minutes.
Biographies: Students can continue to work on their biography notes at home, but this is optional if they have already finished reading their biography book.
Biography Project Update: In class tomorrow we will give a big push to complete as many index cards with information as possible. Our next step is to begin organizing the information to write the essay. On Friday we will discuss the Home Project and provide ideas for the students.
Reminder:
The Berkeley School Annual Student Art Show is this Thursday, February 28th from 6-8pm. Students aged 2-14 years old will be showing their work that they've completed in the arts program at TBS.
Writing Workshop:
Today we had the chance to finish our moments in time on the computers. We worked on revising and editing our moments to make them as descriptive and polished as possible!
Reading Workshop:
To continue our work on making connections, we listened to the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin and read the lyrical book, which is paired with art by Alexander Calder. We practiced making text-text, text-self, and text-world connections as a group and then in our own independent reading.
Buddy Day:
We partnered with our buddies today in a series of relay games!
We got to spend some time with our very own classroom baby, Autumn Roberts. It's great to see how big she is getting and all the new tricks she has learned!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Homework:
4th Grade Math: Mixed review multiple choice problems (some students finished this assignment in class)
5th Grade Math: Math packet
Wordly Wise: Please work on WW Lesson 10 for 15-20 minutes.
Biographies: Students can continue to work on their biography notes at home, but this is optional if they have already finished reading their biography book.
Reminder:
The Berkeley School Annual Student Art Show is this Thursday, February 28th from 6-8pm. Students aged 2-14 years old will be showing their work that they've completed in the arts program at TBS.
Reading Workshop:
To enforce good reading strategies, we spent Reading Workshop working on making connections. While listening to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, students made different connections throughout the story (text-text, text-self, text-world). They will continue to work on making these types of connections in their own reading.
In Math Club, students considered a few classic logic problems with pan balances today, as well as algebraic reasoning questions, in the On Balance packet. Other students worked on Skateboarding problems, involving calculating circumference and measuring distance, probability, and money word problems. The math game today, Color Tile Logic, is an easy game to play at home, similar to Mastermind, that helps teach and hone reasoning skills. Next Math Club will be in two weeks, on March 12, when we'll celebrate Pi Day (3/14)!
Making portfolios and writing information cards for the biography project.
4th Grade Math: Mixed review multiple choice problems (some students finished this assignment in class)
5th Grade Math: Math packet
Wordly Wise: Please work on WW Lesson 10 for 15-20 minutes.
Biographies: Students can continue to work on their biography notes at home, but this is optional if they have already finished reading their biography book.
Reminder:
The Berkeley School Annual Student Art Show is this Thursday, February 28th from 6-8pm. Students aged 2-14 years old will be showing their work that they've completed in the arts program at TBS.
Reading Workshop:
To enforce good reading strategies, we spent Reading Workshop working on making connections. While listening to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, students made different connections throughout the story (text-text, text-self, text-world). They will continue to work on making these types of connections in their own reading.
In Math Club, students considered a few classic logic problems with pan balances today, as well as algebraic reasoning questions, in the On Balance packet. Other students worked on Skateboarding problems, involving calculating circumference and measuring distance, probability, and money word problems. The math game today, Color Tile Logic, is an easy game to play at home, similar to Mastermind, that helps teach and hone reasoning skills. Next Math Club will be in two weeks, on March 12, when we'll celebrate Pi Day (3/14)!
Making portfolios and writing information cards for the biography project.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Welcome Back!
Homework
4th Grade Math: Angles worksheet
5th Grade Math: packet
Biography Project: Students are bringing home a reminder of what to work on tonight. Some students are still looking for information, others are writing information on index cards. Students should bring all books and materials for this project to school each day.
Reading: Students who still have more to read in their biographies should use their reading time this week to still focus on their biography book - however, students may choose to focus on sections of the book that will help them collect information.
Today in Strawberry: We began with a reflection on our week off from school with a partner share and then highlight share with the group. During writer's workshop the students used their vacation as a starting point for a stream of conscious writing activity. Students also focused on completing writing projects from before the break.
Our work on the biography project today included filling out a checklist to see how they are doing finding information about their person. The checklists are coming home tonight to help guide what to focus on and cover any gaps. Students are now filling out index cards with information from their reading, although some still need to locate more information in their books.
4th Grade Math: Angles worksheet
5th Grade Math: packet
Biography Project: Students are bringing home a reminder of what to work on tonight. Some students are still looking for information, others are writing information on index cards. Students should bring all books and materials for this project to school each day.
Reading: Students who still have more to read in their biographies should use their reading time this week to still focus on their biography book - however, students may choose to focus on sections of the book that will help them collect information.
Today in Strawberry: We began with a reflection on our week off from school with a partner share and then highlight share with the group. During writer's workshop the students used their vacation as a starting point for a stream of conscious writing activity. Students also focused on completing writing projects from before the break.
Our work on the biography project today included filling out a checklist to see how they are doing finding information about their person. The checklists are coming home tonight to help guide what to focus on and cover any gaps. Students are now filling out index cards with information from their reading, although some still need to locate more information in their books.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
Our Valentine's Day and field trip to EBMUD watershed was a success! We celebrated our love for nature by planting willow trees in a creek at the EBMUD watershed. Students used hammers and mallets to plant willow branches into the creek, carried tree trunks to help prevent the creek's headcut, and cut down more willow branches to plant! They were wonderful environmentalists and were exhausted after an hour and a half of hard work. We went to a nearby park to eat lunch and get in some play time. We played volleyball, badminton, and all other sorts high-energy activities!
Ticks: We did not come across any ticks at the stream site, but it is advisable to do a tick check at home to be certain.
Thanks to our drivers/workers: Don, Joan, Mark & Keiki!
After our wonderful field trip we headed back to TBS to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Have a wonderful week off in honor of the Presidents.
Ticks: We did not come across any ticks at the stream site, but it is advisable to do a tick check at home to be certain.
Thanks to our drivers/workers: Don, Joan, Mark & Keiki!
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| Our ranger explaining our task for the day-- planting willow trees! |
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| Having fun with the cattails along the creek! |
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| Digging holes. |
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| Hammering in the willow branches. |
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| Hard at work. |
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| Dig! Dig! Dig! |
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| Dig deep! |
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| Carrying a log to block the headcut. |
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| Rolling the log seemed like a more efficient method. |
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| Sawing the logs. |
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| Bones! |
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| Volleyball at the park. |
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| Taking a much needed break after a long day of working hard. |
After our wonderful field trip we headed back to TBS to celebrate Valentine's Day.
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| Homemade treats! |
Have a wonderful week off in honor of the Presidents.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Field Trip & Valentine's Day Tomorrow!
4th Grade Math - no homework
5th Grade Math: Packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive due Thursday: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Reading Homework - Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
Today in Strawberry:
We continued writing and re-writing our Moment in Time stories, watched state videos on Arkansas and Iowa, and continued on our reading goals during Reading Workshop.
Football game during a break.
Card game during lunch break.
Reading Workshop: Students are working on reading goal assignments.
Buddies: Reading "The Lorax," by Dr. Seuss (a tie in with our field trip tomorrow)
Making Valentine's for the Earth with our Buddies.
5th Grade Math: Packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive due Thursday: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Reading Homework - Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
- Boots or shoes that can get MUDDY
- Sunscreen or hat
- Clothes to work in that can get dirty
- Snack & Lunch
- Water bottle (filled)
- Extra pair of shoes & Socks
- Plastic bag for muddy shoes
Today in Strawberry:
We continued writing and re-writing our Moment in Time stories, watched state videos on Arkansas and Iowa, and continued on our reading goals during Reading Workshop.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
4th Grade Math - no homework
5th Grade Math: Packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive due Thursday: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Reading Homework - Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
From Sima: In Math Club most students tried their hand at the Valentine Heart problem, trying to figure out all the possible paths, and how to prove they found them all. The photo shows Lila and Sadie's attempt to document all the paths they calculated should exist. Joey and Lucas discovered that 12 different kinds of pentominoes, puzzle shapes made out of 5 contiguous squares, as well as identifying the one pentomino that has a smaller perimeter than the others. Many kids were intrigued to solve pentomino puzzles with 3-6 pieces. Many of these problems have more than one solution, and they help students think about flipping and rotating figures. Finally, a few students tried their hand at today's math puzzles, particularly, the One-Way Walk.
Writing Workshop: Students took the opportunity this afternoon to complete The Berkeley School's Accreditation survey. After completing the survey, we worked on typing our Moments in Time stories.
Biographies: For those students who are ready to move forward with their biography study, they began recording their sticky note facts on to note cards. These note cards will be used later to help students outline their writing.
Lewis and Clark Wrap-up: To conclude our study of Lewis and Clark, we read about the end of the expedition and the fates of the different members of the Corps of Discovery-- Lewis, Clark, Sacagewea, Meeko, York, Thomas Jefferson, and others.
5th Grade Math: Packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive due Thursday: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Reading Homework - Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
- Boots or shoes that can get MUDDY
- Sunscreen or hat
- Clothes to work in that can get dirty
- Snack & Lunch
- Water bottle (filled)
- Extra pair of shoes & Socks
- Plastic bag for muddy shoes
From Sima: In Math Club most students tried their hand at the Valentine Heart problem, trying to figure out all the possible paths, and how to prove they found them all. The photo shows Lila and Sadie's attempt to document all the paths they calculated should exist. Joey and Lucas discovered that 12 different kinds of pentominoes, puzzle shapes made out of 5 contiguous squares, as well as identifying the one pentomino that has a smaller perimeter than the others. Many kids were intrigued to solve pentomino puzzles with 3-6 pieces. Many of these problems have more than one solution, and they help students think about flipping and rotating figures. Finally, a few students tried their hand at today's math puzzles, particularly, the One-Way Walk.
Writing Workshop: Students took the opportunity this afternoon to complete The Berkeley School's Accreditation survey. After completing the survey, we worked on typing our Moments in Time stories.
Biographies: For those students who are ready to move forward with their biography study, they began recording their sticky note facts on to note cards. These note cards will be used later to help students outline their writing.
Lewis and Clark Wrap-up: To conclude our study of Lewis and Clark, we read about the end of the expedition and the fates of the different members of the Corps of Discovery-- Lewis, Clark, Sacagewea, Meeko, York, Thomas Jefferson, and others.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Valentine's Day cards
Homework:
4th Grade Math: Angles and word problems page
5th Grade Math: packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
4th Grade Math: Angles and word problems page
5th Grade Math: packet
Valentine's Cards: In line with The Berkeley School's Valentine's Day policy, valentines should be inclusive (one for each student in the class) and should not be accompanied by any candy. Homemade and store bought valentines are welcome! There are also options to making cards (see note below). The students are bringing home a list of names of Strawberry Students.
Scholastic Book Drive: Please fill out the book order form(s) and return to school by this Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Biographies: Continue reading the biographies and/or other informative sources while also putting sticky notes at important parts of the reading.
Field Trip Reminder:
We have a field trip to EBMUD Watershed this Thursday, February 14th to plant trees.
Students should wear:
- Boots or shoes that can get MUDDY
- Sunscreen or hat
- Clothes to work in that can get dirty
- Snack & Lunch
- Water bottle (filled)
- Extra pair of shoes & Socks
- Plastic bag for muddy shoes
Friday, February 8, 2013
Happy Friday!
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Scholastic Book Drive: Students are bringing home THREE Scholastic Book catalogs for TBS's Annual Book Drive, a student labeled envelope, as well as directions and explanations for the book orders. After looking through the catalog, please fill out the order form and return to school by next Thursday, February 14th (Valentine's Day). Also, please make checks payable to The Berkeley School.
Please work on reading your biography and taking notes about
important life events, accomplishments, obstacles, etc.
Cerritoberry: We started our Black History Month interest
groups in Cerritoberry today. Students divided into four different groups—sports
and athletes, music and blues, art and poetry, and dance and movement. The
excitement and engagement was present in all four groups—it’s gearing up to be
a fun and interesting look into African American history in the United States.
We continued to read from our read aloud book, Streams to the River, River to the Sea,
with all sorts of new connections from our hike yesterday. Students created
some amazing illustrations that depicted connections from our field trip and the
images from the book.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Corps of Discovery Made It!!!
What an excellent day. While it rained in the morning we helped put together a skeleton of a young gray whale. The whale bones came as a school event, and we were so thrilled to be able to participate before our departure.
Please see the photos of our field trip just after the whale skeleton. It was a great day in Tilden Park. The students were placed in two Corps of Discovery groups and led their own hike based on a map that had "somehow" been damaged and was missing information. Using a compass, scouting parties, and discussion each group made it to the top of Wild Cat Peak.
Each group needed to communicate with Mark (representing a new American Indian tribe along the trail) using sign language and offering gifts to gain passage into the new area.
Sacagawea #1 carrying Meeko on her back.
Foreground, York carrying a heavy barrel of supplies up the slippery mountainside.
Corps 1 on the top!
Sacagawea #2 on the top with Meeko safe in his bundle.
Group 2 raiding the contents of their barrel.
Kissing a banana slug! What a committed member of the team.
The students used small journals to draw, record experiences and plan a shelter.
Building shelters.
The rain storm comes (cups of water).
Headed home.
Thank you to our drivers and chaperones: Mark, Joan, Gina and Don!
Please see the photos of our field trip just after the whale skeleton. It was a great day in Tilden Park. The students were placed in two Corps of Discovery groups and led their own hike based on a map that had "somehow" been damaged and was missing information. Using a compass, scouting parties, and discussion each group made it to the top of Wild Cat Peak.
Discovery Corps group 1 - Lewis and Clark explain the map and plan their route.
Thank you to our drivers and chaperones: Mark, Joan, Gina and Don!
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