Chorus concert tomorrow

Hello,

We had an easy day.  We discussed the differences between towns, cities and counties.  I'd be interested to know their take at this point.  We didn't finish the discussion by any means. 

I'm glad to know that no one got hurt choosing adventure over safety.  That was never my intention, but some kids took some risks, like jumping off of bunk beds. 

I discovered that only three kids in the class have ever celebrated May Day.  No one does May baskets any more.  I wish we could bring back that tradition.  I still do it with my young nephews.  Put some treats in a small basket (or cup), knock on their door, and then run.  They get the goodies after they catch you.  Maybe some of you can encourage your child to start it up with a neighborhood friend tomorrow.  The basket may need instructions, however.  (If you want these treats, you need to catch me!)

Alright, I feel a little under the weather. 

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea

One more day for biome work

Hello,

Mrs. Farrand, school counselor, came in this morning.  It is always uncomfortable to watch the personal space video.  The video has a creepy uncle who smiles a lot, but tries to do inappropriate things with his nephew.  The message for the kids is to 1) say no, 2) get away, and 3) tell what happened to an adult that you trust.  You may want to ask your child their thoughts and feelings about the video.  It isn't a comfortable topic, but one they need to hear about. 

One more day for biome work.  Some groups are really up against it, and paying for earlier unproductive class periods. 

I'm still trying to figure out how to reserve gym time after school for our Quidditch teams.  (Harry Potter Book Club)  This morning I was told that I need to call the bus garage.  Hmmm... now why didn't I think of that sooner?

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea

Funny day

Hello,

We had a funny day.  We have an inflatible deer head at the front of the class that seems to put everyone in kind of a silly mood.

The biome museum due date is fast approaching.  Some are in good shape, some not. 

I introduced four more book choices for book groups.  Some groups are still reading their first one, but those that are steaming ahead, I don't want to hold back.  The book choices included two of my favorites: The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon, and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  Other choices are the Newbery Honor book Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle and The Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting.  Please don't hesitate to ask for an extra copy at home.  Nothing sends the message that you value reading, especially their reading, by reading a book at the same time so you can talk about it. 

I shared one of my favorite quotes from The Mixed-Up Files to the class about "choosing adventure over safety."  I challenged them to choose adventure over safety sometime in the next week, so watch out.  I told them that I wasn't giving them to permission to misbehave.  They can't cut your hair off while you sleep and say, "Mr. Shea challenged me!"  I will give consequences for anyone who I catch doing something out of line.  That's part of the challenge.  They have to weigh the possible consequences with the adventure.  Many of them choose adventure over safety every day when the attempt to run through the halls.  They miss some recess.  They make a choice, and when caught, live with the consequences.  We'll see how this plays out.  It definitely made for some giddy fourth graders for the last half hour of the day.  I wonder what their minds will come up with...

Have a good night.  May you have all of your hair in the morning.

Mr. Shea  

We have a class video and discussion tomorrow with our school counselor, Mrs. Farrand.  The topic will be personal space.

Welcome back

Hello,

We set a due date for the biome projects.  We will open our biome museum Friday afternoon.  We will work in shifts, giving some displays time to close so they may see their cohort's work. 

I hope vacation went well.  The number of reading logs was disappointing.  I need to give them a tally of their total minutes to motivate some of them.  Independent reading at a young age is a key indicator for future success.  Anything that you can do to help nudge them in the right direction here is appreciated.

HBS has Ms. Moll and Mrs. Smith to thank for what has quickly grown into quite an amazing collection of Harriet Beecher Stowe books and collectables.  Some of her books are in display in the office and many rare and vintage collectables can be seen in the lobby. 

We only have seven and a half weeks to go.  Book groups should be wrapping up old books and starting new ones this week.  We will start typing animal reports next week.  International studies, Simple machines and more Maine studies are on the horizon.  Fifth grade will be here before you know it, and before I am ready to give them up.  We need to finish strong so we can be prepared for the next step. 

A few discussion points from today's classes that you might want to bring up: deja vu, women vs. men in roles of power around the world, Cyrus the Sea Serpent, and the new, smaller playground.

Have a good night,

Mr. Shea

Have a good vacation

Thank you to all of the parents for coming in for conferences.  I felt like they went well.  Please know that if you ever have anything that you would like to discuss, get in touch with me.  You don't need to wait for a designated time.  Thank you for all of your support.  I look forward to a strong last couple of months.

Mr. Shea

Conference week

Hello,

We are hard at work on our biome museum.  All of the art involved in this project is keeping them motivated, despite vacation lurking around the corner.  A few groups have been a little too focused on the building and not quite enough on the research part of the project.  We'll get the holes filled in over the next two days. 

Conference times are locked in for seventeen of you.  Thank you for getting those requests in.  Your children should have brought confirmation times home with them.  In general, we will have a half an hour to talk.  If you feel you need more time, please don't hesitate to ask for further time, but it will have to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Our lobby has become a lost and found warehouse.  Please take a look at all of the goods when you come in for your conference this week.  Anything not claimed will be donated to a local charity. 

There will be no weekly challenge in math this week.  Don't forget that Thursday is an early release and that there is no school on Friday. 

Thanks for reading.  I look forward to speaking with you this week.

Mr. Shea 

staff meeting tonight

Hello,

I'm going to ask for a free pass for the rest of the week.  I'll write up the homework, but I've got to get to some of this report card and assessment work.

Thanks for understanding.

Mr. Shea

I'm glad it wasn't April Fool's Day

Hello,

We split into biome groups and started planning our class museum displays.  Here are the directions that the kids received:

Biome Museum

          Your team will be putting together a display for our class biome museum.  You will be graded on your final product and how well you worked together as a team.

           Each team has been given a biome.  You now must do all the research it takes to create a diorama and a poster.  The diorama has to be a three dimensional scene that represents your biome.  The following information must be included in either your diorama or your poster:

1.    Biome title

2.    Biome overview (a short explanation of your biome)

3.    Specific precipitation data

4.    Specific temperature data

5.    Common flora (plant life) and their adaptations

6.    Common fauna (animal life) and their adaptations

7.    Predators

8.    Prey

          Be Creative.  Be Cooperative.  Be Colorful.  Be Correct.

If you are asking why are we starting this before finishing our animal reports, that is a great question. 

The number one reason is computer availability.  I need to be able to get them in the computer lab or at least get use of the laptops on a consistent basis for a good week.  That isn't going to happen until after vacation.  That project, unfortunately, is on hold until then.  Maybe we can come back to it with renewed vigor. 

Students watched part of the Discovery Education's Planet Earth series this afternoon while I got more reading assessments finished.  I need to carve out about three more hours of instructional time to get these assessments done.  The Planet Earth series captures some fantastic video of plants and animals from a variety of different biomes and their struggle for survival.  I'm sure your child can tell you a little bit about it. 

Our after school homework club did a some panning for gold.  I bought some gold mine remains from a geology professor from Georgia.  It was fun, but we only found small bits of tourmaline and amethyst.  I guess I'll have to keep my day job. 

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea