Mr. McMillan's Class

Week of December 7th - 11th

2009-12-07T15:21:00.001-08:00

Dear families,

I have two videos this week and wanted this one to be watched first. It is another math video intended to explain double digit multiplication. I encourage your kids to watch this one and the video below this. I think they can be useful tools to understanding multiplication.

Hope all is well,

Mr. Mc

Week of December 7th - 11th

2009-12-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

Dear families,

I have recorded the following movie to help you and your kids understand double digit multiplication. I know the majority of us remember learning this, but may have never truly understood what we were doing. I hope this will help.

Mr. Mc

P.S. Also, there's some McMoney to be had...

Week of November 30th -December 4th

2009-11-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

Dear families,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I know I enjoyed spending the time with my family. A couple of quick notes:

- The field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is on! We are going Thursday and plan to spend the entire day. Please make sure your child packs a lunch as we will be eating there.
- The animal reports and projects were great! I graded them over the break and your child's science scores are sure to go up! They will be passed back this Thursday and your kids will be bringing their projects home in the next couple of days. There are some wonderful photos above for you to enjoy.
- Friday will be a big test day. Help your kids study for a Ch. 10 math test (multiplication) and their spelling and vocabulary test. We will also be taking an open book social studies test as well. We will be having some game show reviews which are always very helpful (and popular!)

Hope all is well!

Mr. Mc

2009-11-30T22:36:00.001-08:00

Oral Presentations

2009-11-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

Dear families,

At the request of some students here are the guidelines for the oral presentations which the students will be giving this week. They have spent some time preparing their presentation in class but can work on it more at home if needed. They helped set the guidelines and seem comfortable with them. So, here they are:

Oral Presentation Expectations:

1. Introduction (who you are and what animal you chose).
2. Share an interesting detail from each section of your report
3. Share special addition (or additions) and explain how you made it
4. Food chain
5. Questions from the audience (3)

Hope that helps!

Mr. Mc

Week of November 16th - 20th

2009-11-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Dear families,

Thanks for helping the kids complete wonderful animal projects! I am very impressed with their work. They have all (with the exception of a few sick kids) finished their reports. We are going to use some time this week to do presentation. The kids will have the opportunity to teach us a little about their animal as well as explain how they did their project. Should be fun.

This is our last week before the Thanksgiving break and it should be fun. More math (a break from algebra!), a great new story, and science presentations. Hope you all have a great week!

Mr. Mc

Week of November 2nd - 6th

2009-11-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

Dear families,

Thanks for all of the families that came to the Halloween parade or helped with our successful party (or both!) The kids had a great time and there are some wonderful pictures below to remember the day. Please enjoy!

The biggest news of the week is that we will be beginning our animal reports on endangered animals. There is a purple page that explains the process that was sent home Monday with the kids. I also put a link of the page to the right under "Endangered Animal Reports Sites". We went over the guidelines and I think the kids are clear on the process. The most important thing to know is that the majority of the report will be written and typed in class this week, and next week there will be no homework to allow time for projects and any final typing not finished at school.

Please take some time to explore the web sites with your child so they can settle on an animal early. The reports and projects will be due Friday, November 13th.

Our chapter 8 math test will be this Thursday and I have an exciting tool that I think will help both parents and students. Due to the generosity of many parents I was able to purchase a document camera. A document camera allows me to project 3-D images onto the screen with the use of a camera. I can solve a math problem or show a student example in real time on the projector screen. Also, I can capture video of me solving a problem and save it as a movie that you all can watch whenever you want.

So, I have tried my first movie and have posted it here. Please check it out and let me know if it was successful. Hope it is another way to connect what we do at school with your home.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

2009-11-02T14:17:00.001-08:00

Week of October 24th -October 30th

2009-10-23T21:43:00.001-07:00

Dear families,

Big week coming up!

Monday will be our last ceramics class and the kids will be painting the pieces they have created. They will also have the opportunity to attend an assembly that will explain a possible adoption of a school in Afghanistan. An organization is looking to find sister schools that will help provide an education for orphaned children from Afghanistan. I think it will open their eyes to other parts of the world and the struggles that we often don't have to face.

On a different note, the kids will be also be participating in their first Monday morning meeting as an entire school. All classes will be meeting on the upper grade playground each Monday to do the flag salute, sing a patriotic song, and discuss a monthly theme. This month's theme is appropriately "Pride". I think it will be a great community builder.

Our continuing focus on algebra will continue with a new chapter on variables (Parents: If 3x + 4 = 10, what is x?) The kids will have to continuing using the knowledge form last chapter but add a few new wrinkles to their bag of tricks. I have updated the challenge pages as well as the review pages. Please use them to help your child with any concepts you see on the homework.

Our first spelling pretest had three students pass on Monday, and subsequently take on the challenge list last week. I am proud to say that these three students all got a 100% on a ridiculously hard list! Congrats to them and look for more kids to pass this next week. Good luck with the challenge words!

The Halloween parade will be Friday at 8:30 (I believe). I look forward to seeing some great costumes and a fun filled day. We are having a party in the afternoon and will have a relaxing, no stress day in class. Hope to see some of you there.

Lastly, "Crazy Hat Day" was a success and I have included a slide show below of our kids. Enjoy! Have a great week.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

2009-10-23T21:40:00.001-07:00

Week of October 12 - 16

2009-10-11T22:02:00.001-07:00

Dear families,

Well, it's conference week so that means I will be seeing all of you some time this week. One of many things I hope to explain are some new math options I have prepared for you.

In preparing the progress reports for the students I realized that I have a great math class. There are some kids who could truly benefit from some challenging math activities and I want to make them available on the blog. Please look below the "Math Concept" and find a new group of links entitled "Math Challenges". I have made 2-3 challenging math pages available for each chapter. Warning: Some are difficult! Parents - you might have to get involved with these! Please take a look and see if they interest you. Each page is worth $3 of McMoney - it's worth the extra effort!

I also realize that some kids need a bit of review and extra practice for each chapter. I am also adding a link entitled "Math Review" that will have up to 5 extra pages that will reinforce the skills of the chapter. I am going to allow these pages to replace any assigned math homework pages (one page replaces another). You might find these more straightforward and more appropriate for your child. All you have to do is print them out and attach them to your homework. Kids, if you chose to do these as extra pages they will earn you $1 McMoney! I hope this creates a little extra incentive for improving your math at home.

I can't wait to meet with you and I hope that our time together is valuable. See you soon!

Mr. Mc

Week of October 5th -October 9th

2009-10-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Dear families,

Parent conference are right around the corner. I wanted to share the schedule with you. I have sent an e-mail and a hard copy home, but I thought this might help those who check the blog regularly.

See you soon!

Mr. Mc

Conference Times
Monday (10/12)

12:40 Mariah
1:00 Carly
1:20 Matthew
1:40 Abigail
2:00 Edwin
2:20 Emily S.
2:40 Jonathon

Tuesday (10/13)

12:40 Annika
1:00 Heather
1:20 Haley
1:40 Sara
2:00 Curtis
2:20 Michael
2:40 Miranda

Wednesday (10/14)

12:40 Bella
1:00 Madelyn
1:20 Jaden
1:40 Emily W.
2:00 Mia
2:20 Will
2:40

Thursday (10/15)

12:40 Cameron
1:00 Dana
1:20 Jada
1:40 Jeremy
2:00 Blake
2:20
2:40 Josh

Friday (10/16)

12:40 J.P.
1:00 Trinity
1:20 Amanda
1:40 Joe
2:00 Max
2:20 Maverick
2:40

Week of September 28th - October 2nd

2009-09-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

Dear families,

I hope all is well with you at home. I have a few announcements and reminders for you regarding Room 10. Here they are:

- We are lucky to have a talented ceramics teacher, Jenni Ward, who will be coming for four weeks to do ceramics with our class. The kids will create three original pieces (one each week) and then use the fourth week to paint them. She was here last year and the kids really enjoy her. So, look forward to some great art in the coming month.
- Today we will kick off our science unit and begin studying Living Things (plants, animals, etc.). Our Big Idea is: All living things need energy and matter to grow. In the coming weeks your kids might be talking about producers, consumers, and decomposers. They'll also be learning about food chains and food webs. Look for a letter to either come home or be posted on the blog that will give you some ideas for the home if you want to extend science.
- The Harvest Carnival is this Friday and I (maybe regrettably) have volunteered to do the Dunk Tank. So, if you're kids are looking for a way to pay me back for anything, Friday is their chance. I will be in the tank from 7:15 - 7:45 (or until I freeze). I hope to see you all there - the carnival should be great.
- Conferences are coming up the week of October 12 - 16. I look forward to meeting with all of you and sharing a progress report from the first two months. I have a lot of scores to share and hope to explain a few things and answer any questions you might have. The school brings someone in to schedule everything so look for your conference times to come home soon.
- Time for Kids has been a big success! Many kids have chosen to do some extra work and earn $5 McMoney at the same time. It's a fun way to discuss current events with your kids.
- Last but not least, a new $5 McMoney bill has been out into circulation! On the suggestion of one of my students, I have printed some new money. Should be a lot of un.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

Week of September 14th - 18th

2009-09-14T14:28:00.001-07:00

Dear parents,

Things have been going really well here in Room 10 but busy, busy, busy!

We have been learning all about California's 4 regions and their distinct features. We're the third biggest state and we have learned that because of that each part of the state is a little bit different. The kids will be finishing up a great first chapter with a region poster and accompanying paragraphs. I look forward to see how they represent the different regions that make up our wonderful state.

Math has been a blast this year and the kids are really responding well to our routine. I have begun integrating some multiplication practice at the beginning of each lesson to warm them up and build on last year. We have also been motivated by mini-celebrities, podium practice and of course, McMoney challenges. Please ask your kids what all of these things are so they can fill you in! The test scores through the first three chapters have been amazing and I couldn't be happier!

We have started singing some Oldies rock an roll so please listen to the songs in the music player and don't be surprised if your kids are singing "Rock Around the Clock" or "Surfin' U.S.A" as they do their work!

Parent conferences are coming soon so please return your form so they can schedule your time. With 34 conferences I am going to need your flexibility with scheduling. I am sure everything will work out just fine (although I might be exhausted by the end of the week).

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

Week of August 31 - September 4

2009-08-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

Dear families,

Things are going smoothly here in Room 10. Some quick notes:

- Thanks to all those who made it to the Back to School Night. I had a great time meeting you all and I look forward to other opportunities to get together.
- McMoney is a smash hit! I had 15 kids do 4 EXTRA PAGES OF MATH for homework in order to earn McMoney. Several others chose to do 2 extra pages. I am blown away how this incentive has made them work so hard. Kudos to them!
- Some new pictures have been added below the songbook playlist. You all have a face to add to the music you're listening to. These will change as we learn about other genres. For now, enjoy the oldies!
- Starting this week I will be sending home a Thursday folder that has student work and office notes inside. They are to be returned Friday morning with the student's homework inside. This helps me stay organized and insures that you're getting all the paperwork at the same time.

Hope all is well!

Mr. Mc

2009-08-24T21:43:00.001-07:00

Week of August 24 - 28

2009-08-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Dear families,

Things are starting to run real smoothly in class. We have begun our second full week and the kids (and I) are starting to figure out the routine. We have a fun week planned - here are some quick highlights.

We're beginning our first work in Social Studies. My plan is to alternate our mornings with reading/language arts one week and social studies the next. I like to have one foot in the fictional world of stories and the other in history. We're beginning with a little Geography review and getting used to the textbook with a scavenger hunt and several geography activities.

The spelling list is a continuation of last week's pattern with a focus on homonyms. You'll notice that the vocabulary words are geography words. There will be a spelling/vocabulary test on Friday.

The first chapter in math went really well! There were several perfect scores and some near misses. Chapter 2 is an extension of the first chapter so I expect some great scores as well.

I will be sending your child's work home Thursdays in a "Thursday Folder". This is something that helps me stay organized and also helps get all your child's work and office fliers home in one piece. They can then use these folders to bring their homework in the next day (unless they have a special folder they want to use instead).

Back to School Night is Thursday and I believe we drew the late slot: 7:30 - 8:15. I will hopefully answer all of your questions then and help give you a feel for the year your student will have. It should be fun and I look forward to meeting all of you.

Hope all is well,
Mr. Mc

Week of August 17 - 21

2009-08-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Families,

Welcome back to school! As hard as it can be to get back into the school routine, the excitement of a new school year usually helps shift the mindset of both students and teachers. I couldn't be happier to be back at Rio with the unique opportunity to move up a grade with the kids. As many of you might know, I taught third grade last year and because of rotations, PE time, and grade level activities I had the pleasure to meet many (if not all) of last year's third graders. They have all become fourth graders and I am excited to make the jump with them.

I try to use this blog weekly to communicate with all of the families. It's a chance to keep you in tune with what's going on in Room 10. I know many of you are excited to help in class and on field trips and I can't wait for anything you can offer. For those of you who can't make time for class visits please use this blog as a way to get an inside look on our class. I will post specific class details like homework, math concepts, spelling lists, and other important information. I will also use the blog as a way to share fun website links, photos of the kids, and a music player that lets you groove to our class playlist. Also, there is a class wish list that will let you know how you can help your child's class. Please check it out!

Please use the first few weeks of school to help get your child back in the swing of things. I am sure I will meet all of you at the Back to School Night on August 27th and we can use that time to discuss some specifics if you have any questions. Unless they are burning questions you can save them all for that night. If you ever have any quick questions that might need a quicker response please feel free to e-mail me at patrick_mcmillan@pvusd.net.

I hope many of you have e-mail and I would love to communicate with you that way. I am going to send a note home with your child's first homework asking for two things: Your e-mail address (whatever address you check the most is the one I want) and permission to post photos of your child on my blog.

I look forward to another great year at Rio! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks so much,
Mr. McMillan