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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.