Tuesday

Did you know there are five species of Pacific Salmon? Do some research with the key words,"Pacific Salmon," by trying out Google or some other search engine on a computer. You could write down all five species on a card or piece of paper and tell us during current events. Some of the kids have already brought in news items from the local newspaper, radio, and television.It can be a good way to practice reading while finding out what's going on near and far.

Remember that an important part of homework each day is reading for at least fifteen minutes. Pick a book that's not too easy or difficult.

The first art project, a self-portrait, is nearly finished, and it will be fun to post them on our bulletin board. Maybe a few will appear on this blog as well.

The New Year Begins Thursday

School starts the day after tomorrow. I can't wait to meet all of you in Room 17 at Franklin on Thursday morning.

Today looks like perfect weather for a school day--rain. You might check the weather forecast in the newspaper (usually in section C) or on the television news(any local channel will do), and sometimes we follow the weather in Las Vegas and Portland just for fun. Feel free to take some notes on other interesting current events from newspapers, radio, or television. Then we can talk about them at school each morning.

Remember to bring a book for Silent Reading on Thursday, along with some sharpened pencils and notebook paper. And, check out the "Room 17 Report" below for more information about your new classroom. See you soon!

The countdown is here–three days until the first day of school. We will post reminders on this blog, as well as helpful sites, along with handouts for quick reference. See you soon!

Room 17 Report
Mr. Burnett's Class Franklin School Room 17
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September 2, 2010

Dear Fourth Grade Student and Parents/Guardian:

I want to welcome you to the fourth grade and let you know that I am looking forward to having you in my class this year. You will have an enjoyable and productive year in our room!

You will need to have a book for silent reading at 8:10 each day. You may bring a book from home or find one in our classroom collection.

Since we believe that education is serious business, please do not bring any toys to school because they interfere with learning. Here are other rules you will be expected to follow:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Stay in your seat unless given permission to leave
it.
3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before
speaking.
4. Turn in all assignments on time.

HOMEWORK: Students are responsible for handing their homework in on time. Homework is due the following day and needs to be placed in the correct assignment box before the second bell when school starts. Homework generally consists of unfinished daily assignments, and I ask the students to read for at least fifteen minutes each evening. Occasionally, there will be homework projects that require more than one day to complete, and for these assignments I will give the students a due date.

WHEN ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE: Assignments are usually due the morning after they are assigned. If the assignment is not handed in, the student receives a 0 in the grade book for that assignment, so it is very important that all assignments are completed and turned in on time. Nothing lowers a report card grade faster than missing assignments. If a student is absent, he/ she will have at least two days to make up the assignments after checking with me to see which assignments to make up.

GRADING: No student will receive failing marks on their report card if their assignments are turned in on time and they are trying to do the assignments to the best of their ability. I will present more details on the new report card as they become available to me.

You will earn good grades as long as you listen well in class, follow directions the first time, and complete and turn in assignments on time.

HANDING ASSIGNMENTS BACK: Assignments and papers are returned to the student’s “mail box.” Students are responsible for getting their “mail” and taking it home to show their parents/ guardians. I encourage you to keep assignments rather than throw them away, at least through the end of the trimester. The projects, like the “Family History Report,” you will probably want to keep forever.

I hope some of your questions and concerns about this year have been answered in this letter. You can also check our Franklin website by accessing the Port Angeles School District website. Good communication will help each student succeed in fourth grade. Please contact me with any other questions and concerns.


Sincerely,
Mr. Burnett (565-1853)

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please see me if you are interested in volunteering in the classroom this year.

June 18th

Thanks for a terrific year to all my students and their parents. I'm very proud of this group and no matter what else is happening in the school district or out in the world, our "fouth grade world" here in Room 17 has been a wonderful place for teaching and learning. Have a great summer!
Mr. Burnett

Wednesday

Bonus question: "What is the current common name for influenza? We're reading a story in class called "Marven of the Great North Woods," and the main character is very worried about his family's exposure during the influenza epidemic of 1918. The disease was worse in the cities, and Marven's parents decide to send him far away to a logging camp in Minnesota to protect his health.

Monday

March

Now that Spring has officially "sprung," you could make a long list of some things you associate with what many call the best season of the year. Is it the 'chirping' of frogs, the warmth of the sun(yes, that is the title of a terrific Beach Boys'song!), or maybe absence of numbing cold air in the morning when you go outside to retrieve the local newspaper, which, despite the plastic wrapping, opens at least partially wet from the night's spring rain.


Some people of a certain age find themselves drawn back to the Olympic Peninsula and other locations in the Pacific Northwest at this time of year. Discarding the warm but dusty places in the South or Southwest for the green trees and lawns around here, they are tanned and ready for months of fishing, hiking,or the simple joy of lawn-mowing and all the various forms of yardwork. After a few weeks they likely wonder why they left in the first place.

And what about those 'chirping' frogs and the other soothing sounds from this area during the Spring months? Sure, birds sing in other parts of the country at this time of year, but they don't sound as thrilled and happy with the new season as do the Robins and Sparrows in our town. But pleasing sound of Spring are not limited to the natural world. There are very small, motorized vehicles blaring tinny instrumental children's songs through neighborhoods on the occasional sunny days.

A day is a only day after all, but a Spring day is longer lasting and not only because of Daylight Savings Time. Playing hours, unlike library hours, are extended. That means time for neighborhood fun after dinner and homework are finished such as walking dogs, gardening, riding bikes or horses, or even a few extra jumps on a trampoline.

Did someone just mention food? Of course they did, and if barbecues and springtime don't go together then the world has changed way too fast. Watermelon, corn, Brussel sprouts,lettuce, onions take on new meaning this time of year and the expanded opportunities for exercise as noted above allow us to eat possibly just a bit more without cause for worry. (now write a 'strong ending' for this essay)

Friday and Almost Spring

The list of "Arithmetic Raccoons" from Room 17 continues to grow. Thats good news for our fourth graders since fluency with Math facts is essential a good understanding for all the Math they will need in the years to come. A little extra practice at home is strongly advised.
Yesterday we worked on developing strong beginnings in stories and essays, and the kids became very excited about writing when we worked on a story involving a snowball fight between two sisters. Now everyone wants to know how it ends. We'll work on strong endings next week!

Tuesday

We just started a new read-aloud titled, Frindle, and the kids are liking it so far. Today we read the chapter called Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger is a white-haired teacher who wears her hair in a bun, nevers comes to school in pants, and loves the dictionary. Wouldn't it be great if we could get one of the women teachers here at Franklin to dress up as Mrs. Granger for Halloween or one of the spirit days?