3/4 Byrne

More Opera Information

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:13:01 -1000

All children will report to their classrooms by 5:00 pm.
They should be dressed in board shorts or surf shorts, a t-shirt, and slippers.
Girls should have their hair in a ponytail.
In the classroom the children will receive their costume bag. They will change their t-shirts into the official program t-shirt provided by the school and their capes or other costuming. They will place the t-shirt they wore to school in their costume bag (with their name on it).
The teacher will walk the students down to Scudder Hall for warm-up. The children will bring their costume bag with them.
Upon completion of the opera, the children will return to Scudder, where they will change back into their own t-shirts (girls will change in the kitchen area), neatly fold their performance t-shirt and cape or other costuming, and replace it in their costume bag.
Children will be dismissed from Scudder Hall after they change and parents have signed them out.

Kite Day!

Fri, 02 May 2008 09:13:23 -1000

Please check out our pictures from Kite Day! Kite Day is an old Mid-Pacific tradition that we brought back to celebrate our 100 years in Manoa. To prepare for Kite Day, each student made his own kite with a Manoa or Mid-Pacific theme. We also helped the preschoolers make their kites. Your children were patient and helpful with their preschool friends. I think you would have been very proud of them!

On Kite Day we first had an assembly to learn about the history of Kite Day. Then we joined the middle school and high school on the football field to fly kites. Before our class flew their own kites, they helped their new preschool friends fly theirs. It was an amazing sight to see all those kites in the air at one time!

Opera News:
***After the performances, you may pick up your child in Scudder dining hall. Please make sure you check out with me.
***Your child should wear board shorts and slippers to the performance.

Homework News:
Some of your children may be working on typing at home. I will check off their homework checklist if they need to finish typing at home. They should be using their keyboarding skills and do this on their own! We will be doing editing and revisions in class.

I have found that copying and pasting their writing into an email is the easiest way to get their writing to and from school because we don't have to worry about different programs. Your child will probably need help with that step. Thank you!

Book Orders are Due Wednesday, April 30!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:22:28 -1000

This is the last book order of the year. It is a good time to plan for some summer reading. Here are some books that I know and like:
Lucky: #12, 13, 23, 43, 48, 51, 53, 58, and 75.
Arrow (April): #3, 5, 16, 17, 21, 22, 37, 39, 51, 52, 57, 58, 59, 62, 71, and 76.
Arrow (May): #6, 9, 15, 23, 54, 57, 58, and 78.
*Please make one check out to Scholastic. Thanks, happy shopping!

News from Na Pueo

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:11:56 -1000

Congratulations to our fourth graders for completing a very long week of testing! They worked really hard and deserve a restful weekend.

In class we have been working on finishing up our Ahupua`a/Kahala `o puna research. Here is the research checklist that the kids are following:

inquiry checklist kahalaopuna.pdf
We have also been trying very hard to finish our legends. We used this project to increase our understanding of story structure by breaking a story down into its main elements and then retelling our own version of the legend. We also took this project one step further to learn about illustration and other important publishing skills. The students planned out each illustration by looking carefully at the part of the story they were going to illustrate. They listed all the elements that were present. For example, in Maui Goes Fishing: Maui, his fishhook, Maui’s three brothers, Maui’s canoe, and the ocean. Then they had to identify the most important elements, describe the feeling, and determine what the relationship was to the other elements. For example, Maui and his brothers are in the canoe, the canoe is small in a very rough ocean, and you can’t see the fishhook. From there, the students created their illustrations with watercolors. When their illustrations were finished, we got to learn and practice some very important publishing skills. The students used the digital camera to take close-up pictures of their paintings, imported them into iPhoto, cropped them, exported them onto a Pages document, changed the size, created text boxes, cut and pasted their words onto the page, and adjusted size, font, and color so that their words made the most impact. Very impressive! Here is an example of a page.

Kai's page.pdf

S.A.T. Test

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:03:24 -1000

For the past few months, we have been preparing for the S.A.T. test. We have been meeting to practice and talk about test-taking strategies. Now it is time to apply that practice to the actual test. The fourth graders will be taking the test next week, April 21-25. The test will take place every morning in Mrs. Lorenzana’s classroom. If you know of any possible conflicts for your child, please let me know immediately! While the fourth graders are taking the test, the third graders will work with Ms. Byrne. Please read on for some more S.A.T. information.

Exploring the Manoa Ahupua`a

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:48:35 -1000

Thank you so much for joining us for dinner on Friday and pitching in to help! We hope you had a good time. I know that the kids sure did. The displays that you saw were a visual representation of the research that the children have been doing. Students will continue to research and compile their information to create a glossary for the opera.Our field trips were so full of wonderful moments, that I think I will just pick one from each of our stops and let the pictures and your children tell you the rest of the story.

As we walked through the Manoa Chinese Cemetery, the students discovered that it was the same cemetery where Obake, the HTY play that we saw in the beginning of the year, took place. In Koganji, the Buddhist temple, your children were respectful, quiet, and asked so many good questions that they even stumped our guide on a few of them. At the lo`i kalo at the Hawaiian Studies department of the University of Hawaii we got to sit in an actual hale and hike upstream to where they divert the water into their intact auwai system. We got to see how the water was transported to the lo`i, flowed through the first patch to the patch downhill, and through each of the patches until it reached the lowest patch and emptied back into the stream. It was a very powerful lesson on the importance of clean water.

Next, we walked through Waikiki, including portions of the beach, where I got to watch your children’s very funny reactions to all the interesting people that we saw. On the catamaran ride, we got to travel to the outer edge of our ahupua`a, which we learned was either to the edge of the reef or a mile out to sea. We definitely went there — and beyond! As we sailed back and were approaching the waves, the children connected back to the first version of Kahala `o puna that we had read and asked if I thought that was where Kauhi had paddled Kahala `o puna out on his surfboard. Although we arrived back to school late due to some problems with the transportation, our parent still greeted us with very patient, smiling faces!

The next day, before we made lei for you, I reminded them that whatever they were talking about, or thinking, or feeling went into the lei that they were making for you. It was one of our most pleasant hours as they put all their love into the lei that they gave you that evening.

Even though it rained on us at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we were still able to enjoy playing Hawaiian games, tasting poi, and getting very tattooed. As we watched the canoe parade, the Tahitian canoe was waiting to paddle out, and they chatted with our kids and asked them to cheer extra loud for them. Did we ever! The kids were rewarded with waves during the performance and lots of special attention.

All in all, it was an amazing two days. Thank you for you support!

Field Trip News

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:15:31 -1000

Our action-packed days of Hawaiian Studies adventures have arrived!

Next week Thursday, 4/10/08, and Friday, 4/11/08, the third and fourth grade classes will be exploring Manoa and traveling to the North Shore to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here is the itinerary for both trips:

Polynesian Cultural Center
Fukumoto/Holzman Thursday, 4/10/08
Byrne/Lorenzana Friday, 4/11/08

7:40 am -10:30 am       Morning at school preparing for Friday’s dinner.
10:30 am                   Leave Mid-Pac
11:15 am                 Eat lunch at Kualoa Beach Park
12:30 pm -3:30 pm       Explore Polynesian Cultural Center
4:45 pm                      Pick up your child at Mid-Pac (Thursday only) at upper pick-up

Ahupua`a of Manoa (wear your “Day in Manoa” t-shirt)
Byrne/Lorenzana Thursday, 4/10/08
Fukumoto/Holzman Friday, 4/11/08

8:00 am -9:00 am.         Manoa Chinese Cemetery.
9:00 am -9:30 am.         Return to Mid-Pac for a restroom stop.
9:30 am -10:30 am.   Koganji Temple
11:00 am -12:00 pm.   University of Hawai`i Hawaiian Studies Center (Lo'i Kalo) ***Please fill out release form.
12:00 pm -1:00 pm.       Lunch at Hawaiian Studies Center.
1:30 pm -2:30 pm.        Historic sites on Waikiki Beach, including a walk through the Moana Hotel.
3:00 pm -4:00 pm.        Maita`i catamaran ride.
4:30 pm.                      Depart Waikiki from Monsarrat Avenue behind the Waikiki Bandstand.
4:45 pm                       Pick up your child at Mid-Pac (Thursday only)at upper pick-up

Please contact your child’s teacher if the Thursday pick-up time is going to be a problem for you. We will do our best to arrange rides or child-care for you.
Reminders:
1. Bring lunch and snack for both days!
2. Wear either your “Day in Manoa” t-shirt (Manoa Ahupua`a day) or dark green Mid-Pac shirt (Polynesian Cultural     Center).
3. Bring a water bottle.
4. Wear a hat/visor.
5. Put on sunscreen! Bring some to re-apply.
6. Bring slippers or reef walkers for the boat (Manoa Ahupua`a day).
7. You may want to bring a small towel on Manoa Ahupua`a day(not for swimming but in case your feet get wet or     sandy).
8. You may want to bring a change of clothes for Friday’s dinner.
9. Please turn in the attached release form to your child’s teacher.

Dinner Information:
Please meet us at 5:30 at Scudder Dining Hall (lower campus).
5:30-6:00 Browse displays and watch slide show.
6:00-7:00 Eat!
***If you signed up to help set up, please meet us at Scudder at 5:00.
***If you signed up to help serve, please check in with Ms. Byrne when you get there.
***If you signed up to help clean up, we’ll give you instructions after dinner.
Thank you in advance for your help!

New Pictures in the Gallery

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:58:03 -1000

Check out the new pictures in the photo gallery.

1. Opera Preparations. Our class went to visit the set of Romeo and Juliet to gather information and ideas for our own production. We also met with Mrs. LeBlanc’s class to brainstorm ideas and create sketches of what we thought our set should look like.

2. Literature Circles. Groups are meeting to prepare a final presentation to their classmates about either the setting or the main character in their book. They are preparing a visual with a description and supporting evidence from the book.

3. Easter Crafts and Ho`olaule`a. The Meyer family donated Easter crafts for us to do as a class. We decorated Easter eggs and made egg people. Check out our creations! We also had a great time at Ho`olaule`a!

Ho`olaule`a 2008

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:49:42 -1000

It's the time of year again for Ho`olaule`a. Ho`laule`a is an all-school event which features delicious food, live music, and fun games. This year's Ho`olaule`a will take place on Friday, March 14, the last day of school before Spring Break. We are recommending that students buy $5.00 - $7.00 worth of scrip. This should provide them with enough scrip to get something good to eat and play games. Scrip is also available for purchase at the Ho`olaule`a if you have not ordered from the office. Our class is looking for some parent chaperones for that day. If you are available, please contact Ms. Byrne via e-mail or send in a note! If you can't make it during the day, the event runs until 7:00 p.m., so feel free to bring your families! Ho`olaule`a is always a fun way to kick off Spring Break!

Please make sure to mark Friday, April 11, on your calendars! Last week the 3/4 Multiage class families received a Save-the-Date flyer in their yellow envelopes. On Friday, April 11, the 3/4 Multiage classes will be having a dinner to celebrate our learning in Hawaiian Studies. The dinner will be the conclusion of two days of field trips. More information will be given about the field trips next week! Be sure to check the website regularly.

Inquiry Groups

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:56:35 -1000

Here are our Inquiry Groups:
Hawaiian Language:
M.M.
T M.
J.N.
R.B.

Hokule`a/ Voyaging:
K.C.
C.S.
N.K.
J.K.

Plants:
M.T.
M.S.
N.L.

Heiau/Religion:
S.C.
D.M.P.
H.L.
J.M.

Holua Sledding/Hawaiian Games:
K.F.
M.H.
C.S.

Food:
S.R.
S.H.
J.M.
H.S.
K.K.

Hale:
K.O.
L.S.
D.S.

Ali`i:
K.M.
E.K.
N.P.
M.K.
R.N.

Birds:
V.A.
K.Y.
K.N.
A.O.
M.M.
T.H.
C.K.

Accreditation

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:55:50 -1000

Mid-Pacific is accredited jointly by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and the Accrediting Commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Independent schools undergo this accreditation process as a method of evaluating strengths, identifying areas of weakness, and developing plans of action. This process is vital to the continuing development of any school. We have started our accreditation at Mid-Pacific, and you will soon be asked to participate, most likely in the form of a survey (or several). I encourage you to share your feedback. It is very important.

But that’s not why I’m writing about this. I am telling you about accreditation because I was asked to serve on a visiting committee for Hawaii Preparatory Academy on Hawaii Island. The final piece of accreditation is a review of all documentation and a visit from a committee of administrators and educators from Hawaii and the West Coast. That is what I will be doing at HPA this coming week. I will be on Hawaii Island from Sunday morning until Wednesday evening. I am looking forward to an intense few days of learning and writing. I’ll be back in school Thursday.

Kahala `o puna Inquiry

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:28:26 -1000

We have started a new inquiry project. As you all know, we are putting on the opera Kahala`o puna this spring. Our class is in charge of designing sets for the opera. To prepare for that, we read the libretto (script) of the opera. After each student reviewed the libretto carefully, they listed three things they wanted to learn more about. The students came up with many great ideas like holua sleds, how ali`i lived, Hawaiian language, and what food people in old Hawai`i ate. Because Mrs. Lorenzana’s class went through the same process, we decided to create inquiry groups with students from both classes. We are still working out the specific members for each group, and we will start meetings next week. The first thing that each group will do is create five questions that they need to answer about their topic. Once they have those five questions, they will start their research.

***Next Wednesday we will be visiting the set of Romeo and Juliet to learn about how the professionals create their sets. We will be leaving Mid-Pac at 10:00 and returning by 12:00. We will have regular lunch at school.

Jump Rope for Heart

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:20:38 -1000

Check out our Jump Rope for Heart pictures!

Vocabulary Story Rubrics

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:49:43 -1000

This week we created a rubric for the students' vocabulary stories. First, I gave the class a selection of good vocabulary stories that their classmates have written. As a table group, they read the stories and discussed what makes a good vocabulary story. Then, as a whole group, we listed what traits make up the best possible vocabulary story and called those 4’s. From there we figured out what those behaviors would look like in the worst possible vocabulary story and called those 1’s. Then we filled in the in-between behaviors and decided what 2’s and 3’s looked like. We did this so that the students have a clear sense of what is expected and a tool for assessing themselves on whether or not they reached those expectations and what they can still strive for. Starting this week, the Pueo will be bringing home a rubric that they should fill out after they complete their vocabulary story. The form will be two-sided. They will fill out one side and leave the other side blank for me to fill out. I included a copy of the rubric in the homework section if you want to take a look or if you need an extra.

Exciting New Happenings!

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:59:27 -1000

We have started a lot of new exciting projects. We are practicing keyboarding as part of our morning routine. Students are working through a series of eight lessons that focus on using home-row. Ask your child to show you their home-row. By the time the students are finished with all eight lessons, they will have practiced each letter on the keyboard from home-row. At this point, many of the students' hands are too small to comfortably reach each of the keys, so there is some movement of their hands from home-row. This is ok, but they should always come back to home-row. From now on, I expect them to use home-row when they are typing. You should, too.

In addition, we are practicing handwriting! We are reviewing each letter in class and then practicing. They will do some practice in school and bring the remainder home to complete. You will notice that handwriting has been added to our homework schedule and checklist. At this point, I am not requiring students to use cursive because we haven’t finished all the letters, but eventually I will be asking them to use cursive for certain assignments.

Another project that I’m really excited about is our legend project. I was inspired by something James Rumford told us when he came to read Kahala `o puna to the students. He said about his retold Kahala `o puna legend, “This is not my story, but these are my words.” Because we were already working with story maps to help us organize our writing pieces, I thought it would be appropriate to integrate that language arts work with our Hawaiian studies work. The students were already familiar with mapping because we worked as a class to create a story map of James Rumford’s Kahala `o puna. I had the students read a number of Hawaiian legends on their own. We also read several Maui legends as a follow-up to the HTY play, Maui vs. Hercules. Each student chose a legend that they liked and filled out a story map for that legend. Then, they created another story map of their own version of the legend, which they will be writing. The students and I are all very excited about their versions of the legends. I will keep you updated!