Wacky Wednesday

Wacky indeed!  Happy Leap Day everyone.  Take a look at what we had to deal with in order to get some learning done today!  Of course I came to school non-wacky as usual; I'm that dedicated. ;-)   Can you believe someone had the nerve to wear a Cubs hat?!  I'd never mention names or call out the student who had the unfortunate taste of wearing the Cubs hat, right Seth?  So sad.  Has the time with me this year not enriched the students' understanding and knowledge of quality baseball teams?  I mean, really. . .the Cubs?

Also, the students have been completing sudoku puzzles this week.  I shared the following website with them and thought you all might enjoy accessing it at home, too: http://www.jigsawdoku.com/  Enjoy what's left of your leap day.  Just think, the next leap day will be during your child's last year before high school, and the following leap year will be when this group graduates from high school!  I better be invited to all of those graduation parties!

Liberty's Kids

Our class has been studying the Revolutionary War as you know.  (I am still trying to get those last two songs added.  Fret not!)  A few years back PBS had a show called Liberty's Kids that is an animated walk through the Revolutionary War as seen throuh the eyes of two young journalists and Ben Franklin.  Each episode contains fun things like Continental Cartoons (said with a French accent--ask your child) and a theme song.  Here is our class's version of the Liberty's Kids theme song.  Enjoy!

And for those of you who are wondering, no the class does not sing all day long as it might seem. :-)  For the record, I am not a singer at all, so it might seem odd to have all of these songs as a part of our class.  I guess it goes to show that the students run the show from time to time around here!!

Times Line

It's been some time since I've posted TIMES LINE results.  Today the students took another timed test and here is who made the cut:

TIMES LINE 

* indicate members of the 100s Club!

4

5

6

7*

8*

10*

11

12*

13*

14*

16

17*

18*

19*

22*

Well done!!

I am still trying to get the final videos posted.  I'll get them up there somehow!

Revolution Tunes

As we have learned about the American Revolutionary War, the students have learned some songs about some of the famous people and events.  I'll add them throughout the weekend as time permits.  Enjoy--

Trouble Brewing

Midnight Riders

Bring Us Water Molly Pitcher

Keep On Sewing

Row, Row, Row the Boats



It's a Non-Party

Since we cannot have a Valentine's Party, we will instead have a "Non-Party."  Please feel free to use the comments section here to discuss and communicate among yourselves about what you would be willing to send in for the "Non-Party."  No one needs to feel as if they have to send in anything.  I just want you to have the opportunity to make arrangements if there is interest.  Thanks!

Online Learning Activities

Good afternoon.  I shared a website with the students that offers several excellent math learning activities.  The site is for PBS's Cyberchase.  The first activity requires students to match equivalent fractions.  You can find it here: http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/melvins-make-match/  Another activity is to find 13 ways to make one half.  That is at this link: http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/thirteen-ways-looking-half/

Thanks for the emails and notes asking about how I'm feeling.  I am fine, but will probably have a cough or congestion for several weeks.  Once it sets in, I don't give it up too easily.  The online grade book was reopened Monday while I was out.  I plan to update all grades this weekend.  If you have been checking, I'm sorry for the delay.  Look for updated grades on Sunday and work to come home Monday.  Thanks so much!

Also thanks go out to the moms of 7 and 13 for heading up the teacher luncheon last week.  Thanks to those of you who contributed items for that.  You all go above and beyond to make the teachers and staff here feel appreciated.

Snow Days and Holidays

It's been awhile since my last update.  It seems as if everyone had a great Christmas break.  If the students got half of what they've claimed, they were truly blessed!  In the meanwhile, we are back to work and trying go get into our routines again at school.  The mysterious snow day Friday will throw us off a little, but we are moving along in the right direction preparing for TCAP.  Expect report cards tomorrow.

Today we are out of school to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.  I took a group of students there several years back, and I have to say that it might be the most memorable day of my teaching career.  It is a deeply powerful and moving place.  The museum is located in the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated.  The lessons and stories shared there are well worth the price of admission.

On a much less serious note, this Friday is our field trip to the symphony.  Please send in your permission slips, lunch option, and money as soon as possible.  Have a great day off, and I'll see everyone bright and early tomorrow!