January 14 - Update

Dear Parents,

We have had a successful start to the year 2015. The students have returned excited, enthusiastic, engaged and ready to learn.

Students are reviewing and familiarizing themselves with multiplication and division facts.  They are working on multiplying large numbers (100s and 1,000s) looking for patterns in their problem solving.  They are also learning to use different strategies to solve word problems ie: working backwards to find the solution.

We will be starting Literature Circles within the next week.  Students will be grouped and focused on analyzing the different text features of the book they are reading.

Your student is also learning that Legos are not just for play but to learn.  We are focused on science and engineering as they learn about the different types of gears and how they “mesh” together to make an object move.  They are also are learning how weight controls velocity.  During Tech Time your student has been building a “puff mobile” in which they must construct a vehicle that will go the furthest distance by just a puff of air.  Here again they are learning about weight distribution and aerodynamics.  Their creativity is definitely helping them to think about the possible designs to develop the automobiles of the future.

Within the next month we will begin the study of the California Regions and Missions.  Students will begin to research their projects looking at it from the eye of an architect and developer.  They will create drawings, a 3D model and provide information to persuade other students why they should visit their selected mission.  They will create a power point presentation and/or a visual display to convince others why they should visit their historical mission with an emphasis on the specific California Region in which their mission was built.  Parents will be invited to view the presentations.

Upcoming happenings and events:

January 12^th – February 6^th   Playground Coin Drive

January 19^th                           No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 20^th                           Blueberry Twist Lunch and Benefit Dinner

January 27^th                           Windsync Contemporary Musical Group Performance Field Trip

February 13^th                         No School – Lincoln’s Birthday

February 16^th –  20^th             No School – Mid Year Break          

Weekly Update December 14

Dear Parents,

Only one week left before a well-deserved break. We are going to be wrapping up a few things this week as well as prepare for the Semester Showcase scheduled for this Thursday evening. On Wednesday, we are going to be taking two tests. The first will be a grammar test and the second will be a math test covering algebra and function tables.  I also want to inform you that there is a Scholastic Book Faire scheduled to be held Monday through Thursday in the multi-purpose room.  Scholastic provides an excellent array of books for all reading levels at reasonable prices.  The book faire will be open until 5:00 each afternoon.  This is a great opportunity to purchase those last minute Christmas gifts.

On Thursday evening we have our Semester Showcase starting at 6:00. We would like the students to arrive at 5:30, as we will be singing along with the 5^th grade class as guests arrive prior to the performance beginning. Our students will also preform a selection of songs on their recorders during the performance. This event is not required, but it would be nice to see as many students, parents and family in attendance as possible. If a student does attend we ask that parent stay to watch the performance. (Please do not drop off and leave.)

On Friday, we are going to celebrate the end of the quarter. If you would be willing to provide food, beverages, etc. for our class celebration please email me. If you would like to help organize this event please let me know and I will send you the names and email addresses of those who have offered to help.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very happy, restful, and peaceful holiday and hope that you are able to spend time with family and friends and most of all relax. I will see you in the New Year!

Mr. Williams

STREAM Closed Today

Hello Everyone,

I just got word that school is school today. Please be safe and I will see you all tomorrow. )

(Here is the email from Mr. Phillips.)

Hi All,

I'm sorry for the late notice, but since our authorizing school district (OCESD) has decided to close today, we will also close school today, just to be safe.

We want you and your child(ren) to be safe, so we will follow this cautious path.

We will plan to see you tomorrow.

Thank you.

Don Phillips

Director, STREAM Charter School

Week of December 7th Update

Dear Parents,

I hope you have been enjoying this much-needed rain and preparing yourself for the upcoming holiday season.

Your students will be completing their algebra unit with a math test the beginning of next week.  We will also be concluding our mini science research project by next week in which the students have been engaged in learning how to use their iPads effectively, using Google software and other resources and applications to assist them in their research.  They have learned how to upload pictures, share documents, among other useful tools to help prepare them for larger projects scheduled as the school year progresses.  The students have been excited to learn that an iPad is not just for games but a useful educational tool to them.

Reminder of upcoming events:

Tuesday, December 9^th – Blueberry Twist is providing lunch for all students.

Wednesday, December 10^th – Blueberry Twist Dinner Benefit.

Thursday, December 18^th – First Semester Showcase; 6:00 pm at the Nazarene Church.  Our class will be performing several songs on their recorders and singing a selection of Christmas Carols.

Friday, December 19^th – End of the second quarter.

Winter Break is December 22^nd through January 2^nd. 

Monday, January 5^th – School resumes.

Make sure to check the website for pictures from our last Student of the Month Assembly as well as our Snap Electronics Unit.

Have a great week.

Check These Videos Out

Hello Everyone-
First off I am sorry these are coming up later then I said. I did not get out of school until late and am just getting home. Each video takes about 20 minutes to do so it will take me some time to get all three videos up. They will come up one at a time as I am working on them. If you can finish watching them all tonight I will give you some time in class tomorrow to watch them as well.

Log into Google at home

Commenting on the Website

Log into Google Classroom

Once you have watched these movies I would like you please please leave a comment at the end of this post.

Week of November 3rd Update

November 2, 2014

Dear Parents,

I hope you all enjoyed your extra hour of sleep this weekend!

I would like to thank the parents that gave their time to organize our class event for our Game Board Play Day last Friday.  The continental breakfast was amazing thanks to the generosity of our Room Echo Parents.  I would also like to extend a thank you to all our parents that attended the event and had the opportunity to see what their students have been doing in class and to see the successes of what their imaginations can accomplish.  We all hope you had the opportunity to participate in many of the board games.  The students had a great time creating these games and this week we will complete the project as part of our math studies to analyze the data the students collected.  Pictures of this event will be under the blogger heading on the website www.schooldaystoday.com.

The iPads for our class have arrived and we have already begun using them.  Please have your student come to class with headphones that preferably have a microphone so they will be able to use their iPad to its fullest advantage.  As a reminder these headphones will remain at school and each will be individually bagged with your students name.

This week I will be conducting reading assessments in preparation for our next Literature Study.

Reminders:

·      Keep collecting your Box Tops for Education Coupons.

·      Scan your shopping receipts for Shoparoo.

·      Thursday, November 6^th is our next Fundraiser Dinner at Denny’s.  Just mention STREAM to your server and Denny’s will donate 20% of your bill back to STREAM.

·      Tuesday, November 11^th is a school holiday – Veteran’s Day.  If your family will be taking advantage of a long weekend and your student will not be in class on Monday, November 10^th please let me know so I can prepare an Independent Study Plan.

As always if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. 

October Student of the Month

(Click here for entire album.)

Game Board Project

(Click here to view entire album.)

If you took any pictures of the event and would not mind sharing them with me. Can you please email me.