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Ms. Kathryn Bonzo » About Ms. Bonzo

About Ms. Bonzo

 Welcome to 4th Grade!   Raise the Roof!
 
     A little background: My teaching career started in St. Augustine, Florida, after graduating from the University of South Alabama. Then, my husband and I lived, taught, and traveled overseas for almost a decade in Algeria, Singapore, and the Dominican Republic before coming to Idaho.  We moved here in 1994 with our daughter and have really enjoyed being involved in the community and participating in all kinds of outdoor opportunities. 
 
    I have taught and coached kids from preschool to high school. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching majoring in History from the University of in 1999 and have always continued to add to my professional and content knowledge.
 
     A little about the present at MCS: The students in 4th Grade get to integrate what they have learned from K-3. It is a special year developmentally because kids at this age want to be active and make a difference in the world. One way that I like to help grow their curiosity and interests is to take them off campus for field trips and do my best to bring in experts (which are often parents:)).
 
 

Classes

Posts

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Wednesday Storyweavers Share!
 
          There is a job during our Morning Meetings where the Story Weavers pick a story to share. Eliza and Lila were excellent examples of how real cooperation works.
They started talking last week when they realized this would be their weekly class job. They discussed two books because each wanted to read something that they really liked.  They agreed on one and exchanged ideas and planned ahead by reading over it.
It was a terrific example of how the class has grown because the kids listening allowed the story and made connections that were shared after the reading.
As I reminded them, they are learning to be a good audience just as much as being presenters. YAY!! 
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Making the Dog and Cat Toys for HSoP
 
The discussion and lessons from the Human Society were so exciting and interactive that we didn't even make the toys.  So, yesterday morning, we took an hour and did the whole project from cutting up the t-shirts or pants, to making the strips and braiding.  You can see Medora and Max in the first step of the project.
With only 7 kids that knew how to braid, it was good to share that skill and help others learn that and knot tying.
The kids finished about 30 toys that will last seven days for one dog. They felt really good about doing something to help the animals at the shelter.
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Humane Society of Palouse talks about helping their animals!
 
The kids wanted to help out in our community so we contacted the HSoP who came in and had a great discussion with the kids and helped them learn what they can do-- like how to volunteer or donate items. It was so neat to hear how much the kids want to learn about what they can do.
 
Thank you Lauren and Sierah!
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Library Books (Please look around your homes and see if you have one of the class library books.)
Report Cards and Classwork Examples
 
Hi Families,
 
    It's the start of the 3rd Quarter!  The kids have grown so much!
Today, lots of items will be coming home that show some good examples of things we did in the 2nd Quarter.
    I wrote a note on every report card, plus a reminder--- please-- turn in 3 Reading Logs. That is an expectation for each quarter and it teaches responsibility for the kids to fill out the log and get it signed by a family member. 
    Also, there is some helpful Lexia information included too.
    You may see work coming home to be finished. We are at the place in the year where the kids know the criteria for what they are doing and need to meet getting things done in 4th-grade time too. They are ready and they are excited together.
Plus, we are talking about a project for the Humane Society of the Palouse. Stay Tuned!
Thanks, Ms. Bonzo
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Testing Minerals for Hardness and Streak
 
These two kids are deeply studying minerals!  It is a good sign when you only see the tops of their heads! :)
Using one of the kits that have 15 minerals and the tools to learn how to test the minerals inside for hardness, luster, streak. Working together, they figured out which minerals are harder than our fingernails, but not as hard as a nail or glass. It is a a process to see that doing the science has steps for discovery.
 
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Karissa and Clarissssa finally meet!
 
Karissa has been so excited all year and finally when January started, she knew this was the month. Every day she has asked, "When are we going to hold Clarissssa?"
You can tell that Karissa is reallllllly happy!!! 
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Meeting our class pet, Clarissssa!
 
The kids have been ready to meet her and now that they are all used to each other, today was the day!
With the help of Ms. Miller, the kids pet and then held this lovely creature.
During our Morning Meeting, the kids shared thoughts and emotions about snakes, being scared, and what they learned. It was interesting as usual and eye-opening for all of them.
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The ideas that are connected to MLKJr.
 
         We started Social Studies listening to excerpts from the 1963 I Have a Dream Speech and discussion about the people and ideas that have to do with freedom and human rights. They clapped many times during the speech.
          Then I put six words up on the board MLKJr, Rosa Parks, Equality, Civil Rights, or Abraham Lincoln that they could research in Newsela. They had time to read a bit, and then brought the article title forward on the web of ideas.
          Each student had a chance to share what more they learned about one of the articles.   
          Learning to use Newsela as a research tool specifically for certain ideas is important because they saw the connections of the ideas.
From the Mountain of Despair a Stone of Hope.
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5007 Pounds of Plastic Film so far!!
 
Emily and Spencer are the Trex Kids this week and have been busy as more of our school families are dropping off material. This picture shows them from one morning gathering and weighing the plastic. They are holding 19 pounds.
 
 
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Sums and Differences Crossword Puzzle
 
The kids worked with their job partner to practice math facts doing 4 digit equations. Then after they had filled in the puzzle, they go over their work practicing with a calculator.
Here, Clover and Karissa discuss their work. It is important for them to have time to work through problems and figure out how to talk about them. 
 
 
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MCS Plastic Film Collection
5000 pounds or 2 1/2 tons for this school year!
 
Spencer and Emily are holding 19 pounds of plastic that came in yesterday during the school day.
Just this week, and it's Wednesday, our total so far is 45 pounds.
 
The City of Moscow collection total on Saturday was 2400 pounds!
 
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Is Snow Colder than 0 Degrees Celsius?
 
Working with their job partner, a 10-minute sand timer,  and a thermometer, the kids chose 4 locations to test. They sang Happy Birthday 3 times and then took a reading. 
Once everyone was done-- with time to spare, we took one more reading at the front of the school. 
When we returned back to class, the kids sorted the data, wrote results, and drew a few conclusions. They also noted what was easy and hard about doing the science.
 They worked together really well!!
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❄Playing Inside a Snowglobe!❄
The weather was perfect at recess this afternoon for all kinds of fun. It was so nice-- and felt so warm, it was the perfect day for a picture. Everybody was present!
These kids are really coming along together socially and academically.
 
👏A good way to start 2022!
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Enchanted Elf Escapades!! 
 
The Exchange was so fun! Each elf gave and received a gift! They were gracious and fun all together, just like a good elf group!
Each has an elf name now too!
Thursday will be fun as they give homemade gifts.
Check out my blogs from previous years:
2017-2018 School Year 
2016-2017 School Year
2015-2016 School Year
2014-2015 School Year