Thursday, January 28, 2016

Spelling Bee



Congratulations to the winners of this year's Rio Vista Spelling Bee.  After a tough and spirited competition, Sienna emerged as the winner, and Wendy came in second to be the first runner-up.  Congratulations to all the participants, both fourth and fifth graders, as well.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math:  Mr. Spaulding:  p. 357-359
                      Mrs. Thompson: Fact Families.
                      Ms. Nuzum: p. 297-298.
     2.  If you could talk to Karana, what are three questions you would ask her?  Why?  What do you think she would say?
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A New Title



Today's homework:
     1.  Math:  Mr. Spaulding:  no homework.
                      Mrs. Thompson:  p. 355-356.
                      Ms. Nuzum: p. 291-292.
     2.  Make up a new name for the book Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Explain why that would be a good title.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Island of the Blue Dolphins




Today's homework:
     1.  Math:  no homework .
     2.  Describe Karana's island.  Draw a map of it.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Tomol Canoe



This is the type of canoe Karana of Island of the Blue Dolphins used to try to escape from the island.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: p. 339-340
                   Mrs Thompson:  351-352
                   Ms. Nuzum: 289-290
     2.  Should Karana have kept going in the canoe?  Explain
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Trimester Awards Ceremony



Congratulations to all the Rio Vista Trimester Awards winners!

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: p.333-334.
                   Mrs Thompson: 345-346.
                   Ms. Nuzum: 283-284.
     2.  After Ramo dies, Karana vows to kill all of the wild dogs on the
          island. Does this seem fair to you?  Explain.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Martin Luther King Jr.



I hope everyone enjoyed the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  We are working on a special project at Rio Vista to honor the memory of Dr. King, a Dream Wall for our school library.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: p.329-330.
                   Mrs Thompson: fact families.
                   Ms. Nuzum: p. 273..
     2.  Read for half an hour.
     3.  Get parent initials.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Point of View




It is an important fourth grade standard to understand literary point of view, the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference  between first- and third-person narrations.  The first novel we read the year, Wringer, was told from a third-person perspective, while the book we are presently reading, Island of the Blue Dolphins, is from a first-person point of view.

Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: p.317-318.
                   Mrs Thompson: fact families.
                   Ms. Nuzum: multiplication.
     2.  What is your favorite thing about being a part of our class?  Explain.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Alone on an Island



Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: p.315-316.
                   Mrs Thompson: bring 12 envelopes.
                   Ms. Nuzum: Multiplication facts
     2.  Imagine you had to survive on a deserted island.   List six things you would need.  Explain each item.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Geography Terms



Fourth graders are learning about different landforms and how they change over time.
Today's homework:
     1.  Math Mr. Spaulding: multiplication worksheet.
                   Mrs Thompson: p. 333-334.
                   Ms. Nuzum:p. multiplication
     2.  Should Karana go back and help her brother?  Explain.
     3.  Read for half an hour.
     4.  Get parent initials.