Hello,
It's my least favorite time of the year: preparing report cards. I like the conferences. I don't like preparing for them. It might be better if I was more organized. (Where in the world did I put those spelling grades?!) It is all worth it in the end, but it is a bit of a frazzled time.
On top of that, I had a schedule change today which makes it impossible for us to have Movie Club on Thursday. I will be at an IEP meeting right after school and one can never tell how long that they will last.
I repeat: Movie Club is cancelled on Thursday the 20th.
That is this Thursday.
I'm sorry for the late notice. I have some conferences scheduled for that night and I can still do those, but if you only scheduled them then because of Movie Club, we can change to another day/night if you would like.
We got another letter from our former classmate who moved south on us. It is always great to hear from her. She let us know that she is doing well learning the countries and capitals of the world. She also sent us a picture of herself in her Halloween costume.
Our class finally took their chemistry test today. I'll try to get those all corrected tonight, but I'm sure your child will have a sense on how they did.
We also got into the computer lab today to start typing out final drafts of our persuasive letters. The students have done a good job of writing drafts and getting these things as close to perfect as they can. I'll be anxious to see and hear your reactions.
I'm not sure that I'll be getting around to the blog for the rest of the week. I have conferences after school every day for the next week and if I'm not involved in one, I'll be preparing for the next. Thanks for understanding.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Mr. Shea
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Bike/Walk to school tomorrow
Hello,
I think the little "rock" video that our movie club did last week attracted a few new members. Most of the class, fifteen, stayed after. It is nice to have them all interested, but I only got to work with a few at homework time.
I think that large number is also why I feel so drained. I'm going to keep this short so I can hit the hay early tonight.
The book fair has started. Thank you for buying a book or two. The money earned goes to the parent group. They support us with field trip money and free books from Scholastic. I did notice that the Harry Potter set with the new artwork isn't at the fair. It is on our new book order form for 49 bucks which is well off the $124 retail. Let me know if you are interested.
Our read aloud, Wonder, by RJ Palacio, has most of the class hooked. You should ask your child about it. The book has allowed us to have some very good discussions about many topics that I am really glad we are discussing before Jr. high: popularity, lying, empathy, being yourself, courage etc. I'm enjoying the variety of narrators, which is one of the main reasons that I chose the book. It is giving us so much to talk about that we haven't been getting through it very fast. We're only half way through. At this rate, we'll only have one more read aloud this year. That's not going to happen.
Thank you to everyone for returning conference slips. If you didn't get a written time brought home today, email me, and I'll get you squared away.
My eyelids are drooping.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
I think the little "rock" video that our movie club did last week attracted a few new members. Most of the class, fifteen, stayed after. It is nice to have them all interested, but I only got to work with a few at homework time.
I think that large number is also why I feel so drained. I'm going to keep this short so I can hit the hay early tonight.
The book fair has started. Thank you for buying a book or two. The money earned goes to the parent group. They support us with field trip money and free books from Scholastic. I did notice that the Harry Potter set with the new artwork isn't at the fair. It is on our new book order form for 49 bucks which is well off the $124 retail. Let me know if you are interested.
Our read aloud, Wonder, by RJ Palacio, has most of the class hooked. You should ask your child about it. The book has allowed us to have some very good discussions about many topics that I am really glad we are discussing before Jr. high: popularity, lying, empathy, being yourself, courage etc. I'm enjoying the variety of narrators, which is one of the main reasons that I chose the book. It is giving us so much to talk about that we haven't been getting through it very fast. We're only half way through. At this rate, we'll only have one more read aloud this year. That's not going to happen.
Thank you to everyone for returning conference slips. If you didn't get a written time brought home today, email me, and I'll get you squared away.
My eyelids are drooping.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Magic Alarm Clock
Hello,
Ask your child about my magic alarm clock. It can read my mind. Every morning it rings at the exact time that I predict that it will ring.
Tonight's writing assignment is to write about tricking someone. It can be true or fictional.
We will be getting a visit from Calvin's mother on Friday. She will talk to us about her son and his epilepsy. Here is a link to her blog which describes some of last week's art class that she witnessed:
room of white
We'll have another day of chemistry review before our test. There was quite a bit of confusion on the difference between a physical change and chemical change. We'll go back over that in a more visual way.
Our school wide book sale is set up. Our class will get to preview it tomorrow.
Please send in the conference time slips tomorrow. I'd like to get back to everyone by tomorrow with a time.
I was impressed with the long division skills that I saw in class today. The biggest struggle came from the few who are shaky on their multiplication facts. We'll be tackling the multiple digit long division by the end of the week.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Ask your child about my magic alarm clock. It can read my mind. Every morning it rings at the exact time that I predict that it will ring.
Tonight's writing assignment is to write about tricking someone. It can be true or fictional.
We will be getting a visit from Calvin's mother on Friday. She will talk to us about her son and his epilepsy. Here is a link to her blog which describes some of last week's art class that she witnessed:
room of white
We'll have another day of chemistry review before our test. There was quite a bit of confusion on the difference between a physical change and chemical change. We'll go back over that in a more visual way.
Our school wide book sale is set up. Our class will get to preview it tomorrow.
Please send in the conference time slips tomorrow. I'd like to get back to everyone by tomorrow with a time.
I was impressed with the long division skills that I saw in class today. The biggest struggle came from the few who are shaky on their multiplication facts. We'll be tackling the multiple digit long division by the end of the week.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Conference slips went home
Hello,
Your child should have brought a conference sign up sheet home tonight. Please ask for one if you didn't see it tonight.
We talked a little about the bullying situation in the NFL that has played itself out on national television. Ask your child what they think about it.
I planned on going over the chemistry study guide today, but we only got to the first page. We'll finish going over it tomorrow and schedule the test for Thursday.
We are now starting every single school day with silent reading. I am reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. She makes a very strong case for why this should be the way all kids start their day. I put this new decision on the board this morning and there was a cheer, followed by the quietest morning that I've heard in a long time as kids dove into their books. Okay, seems like a good decision so far.
We're going to be talking a lot about division over these next few weeks. The book assumes we know it inside and out, including our facts and long division. I don't see that as being the case. We'll spend the next few days on it even though the homework will be multiple digit multiplication. We should have no trouble with the multiple digit multiplication based on our prior work. Now we'll prep for the division before we get to that page in the book.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Your child should have brought a conference sign up sheet home tonight. Please ask for one if you didn't see it tonight.
We talked a little about the bullying situation in the NFL that has played itself out on national television. Ask your child what they think about it.
I planned on going over the chemistry study guide today, but we only got to the first page. We'll finish going over it tomorrow and schedule the test for Thursday.
We are now starting every single school day with silent reading. I am reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. She makes a very strong case for why this should be the way all kids start their day. I put this new decision on the board this morning and there was a cheer, followed by the quietest morning that I've heard in a long time as kids dove into their books. Okay, seems like a good decision so far.
We're going to be talking a lot about division over these next few weeks. The book assumes we know it inside and out, including our facts and long division. I don't see that as being the case. We'll spend the next few days on it even though the homework will be multiple digit multiplication. We should have no trouble with the multiple digit multiplication based on our prior work. Now we'll prep for the division before we get to that page in the book.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Too much homework?
Hello,
I've heard from a few parents of students from other classes about the amount of homework being given at HBS. Here are my thoughts. We're supposed to average about ten minutes of homework a night for each grade level, meaning 3rd grade should have thirty minutes, 4th - forty minutes, 5th -fifty, etc. I expect everyone to read 20 minutes a night. That leaves about a half an hour for other work. I assume that math will take ten to fifteen, leaving only fifteen for anything else. If math homework ever takes more than twenty, I tell my students to stop doing it and come in and tell me what was taking so long. There is a major exception here however, and it has come into play twice in the last couple of weeks. I'll call it the "make your own bed" exception. Students had three weeks to read a historical fiction novel. Some waited and waited and waited. They needed to read over a hundred pages in one night to finish. (They made their own bed, they have to lie in it.) Last night I gave two multiplication "mad minutes" for homework. Now we spent a lot of time on multiplication last year. Many students know most, if not all, of their facts. Last night's homework took them about two minutes. I heard from the ones who hadn't learned their facts. One spent over an hour on the problems. They're suffering because they didn't do their jobs last year.
Here is what I said to those students. "I don't want you spending an hour on your math homework. When you struggle on your homework because you don't know your facts, I'd rather that you spend twenty minutes with your flash cards. I know you can figure out 9 x 5. I don't want you to. I want you to spend that time trying to memorize it with your flash cards."
I spent quite a bit of class time on two flash card strategies that I want them to be using. I talked with them about putting in the time. The kids that know the facts are no smarter than the kids that don't. They just put in the time. When teachers told them last year that they will really struggle later on if they don't know the facts... "later on" came quickly. It is another case of making their beds. I hope they spend the next few weeks "remaking their beds."
Our density experiments went really well this afternoon. Some of the objects that were dropped in the various liquids shocked us by floating or dropping unlike we had anticipated. It was very neat to see the objects of different densities react to the liquids.
Persuasive rough drafts should get finished tonight. We worked on them today. If your child is keeping the topic secret from you, know that you will be informed very soon.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
I've heard from a few parents of students from other classes about the amount of homework being given at HBS. Here are my thoughts. We're supposed to average about ten minutes of homework a night for each grade level, meaning 3rd grade should have thirty minutes, 4th - forty minutes, 5th -fifty, etc. I expect everyone to read 20 minutes a night. That leaves about a half an hour for other work. I assume that math will take ten to fifteen, leaving only fifteen for anything else. If math homework ever takes more than twenty, I tell my students to stop doing it and come in and tell me what was taking so long. There is a major exception here however, and it has come into play twice in the last couple of weeks. I'll call it the "make your own bed" exception. Students had three weeks to read a historical fiction novel. Some waited and waited and waited. They needed to read over a hundred pages in one night to finish. (They made their own bed, they have to lie in it.) Last night I gave two multiplication "mad minutes" for homework. Now we spent a lot of time on multiplication last year. Many students know most, if not all, of their facts. Last night's homework took them about two minutes. I heard from the ones who hadn't learned their facts. One spent over an hour on the problems. They're suffering because they didn't do their jobs last year.
Here is what I said to those students. "I don't want you spending an hour on your math homework. When you struggle on your homework because you don't know your facts, I'd rather that you spend twenty minutes with your flash cards. I know you can figure out 9 x 5. I don't want you to. I want you to spend that time trying to memorize it with your flash cards."
I spent quite a bit of class time on two flash card strategies that I want them to be using. I talked with them about putting in the time. The kids that know the facts are no smarter than the kids that don't. They just put in the time. When teachers told them last year that they will really struggle later on if they don't know the facts... "later on" came quickly. It is another case of making their beds. I hope they spend the next few weeks "remaking their beds."
Our density experiments went really well this afternoon. Some of the objects that were dropped in the various liquids shocked us by floating or dropping unlike we had anticipated. It was very neat to see the objects of different densities react to the liquids.
Persuasive rough drafts should get finished tonight. We worked on them today. If your child is keeping the topic secret from you, know that you will be informed very soon.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Densities of liquids
Hello,
We dropped a lot of different liquids on top of each other. We did a bunch of mini-experiments with liquids that the kids brought in and then we tried to recreate this:
I was impressed with how well it worked, although the rubbing alcohol dove through the vegetable oil and mixed with our colored water. Pretty neat. And pretty.
We will be writing persuasive letters in the coming days. The students need to come up with topics and then they will try to persuade you to take their side on that topic. I'm looking for proper letter writing skills, and the ability to edit and revise their paper to the best of their ability.
Please randomly ask your child multiplication facts over the next few weeks. Our major trouble with the multiple digit multiplication is the single digit facts.
I've got to run to a birthday party.
Good night.
Mr. Shea
We dropped a lot of different liquids on top of each other. We did a bunch of mini-experiments with liquids that the kids brought in and then we tried to recreate this:
I was impressed with how well it worked, although the rubbing alcohol dove through the vegetable oil and mixed with our colored water. Pretty neat. And pretty.
We will be writing persuasive letters in the coming days. The students need to come up with topics and then they will try to persuade you to take their side on that topic. I'm looking for proper letter writing skills, and the ability to edit and revise their paper to the best of their ability.
Please randomly ask your child multiplication facts over the next few weeks. Our major trouble with the multiple digit multiplication is the single digit facts.
I've got to run to a birthday party.
Good night.
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Daze testing
Hello,
The class completed their Daze reading tests today. You will get to see their results at the upcoming conferences. (I need to get out sign up sheets.) Mrs. Whitney was able to call up students one by one and go over their test with them. I'll score the tests and work with students one on one to finish any questions that they didn't get to. It is a timed test and no one was able to finish all of the questions.
We will be doing some liquid density experiments tomorrow. I bought some honey, Karo syrup, dishwashing liquid, vegetable oil and rubbing alcohol at Hannaford's last night. Students are welcome to bring in other liquids so we can test density.
It is election day. Please vote if you haven't. Take your child with you if you can.
I'm writing this early so I can get to basketball right after homework club.
Thanks for understanding,
Mr. Shea
The class completed their Daze reading tests today. You will get to see their results at the upcoming conferences. (I need to get out sign up sheets.) Mrs. Whitney was able to call up students one by one and go over their test with them. I'll score the tests and work with students one on one to finish any questions that they didn't get to. It is a timed test and no one was able to finish all of the questions.
We will be doing some liquid density experiments tomorrow. I bought some honey, Karo syrup, dishwashing liquid, vegetable oil and rubbing alcohol at Hannaford's last night. Students are welcome to bring in other liquids so we can test density.
It is election day. Please vote if you haven't. Take your child with you if you can.
I'm writing this early so I can get to basketball right after homework club.
Thanks for understanding,
Mr. Shea
Monday, November 4, 2013
Dictator James
Hello,
The people of this land could not enter the gates of the kingdom this morning without coming across this message:
I came and took over the lands of room 120. The people were wary of me at first, but I showed them quickly that I was their new leader, and not to be trifled with. I was enraged when they tried to pledge allegiance to their old flag and their old ways. They quickly saw the errors in their ways. Here are a few of the new pledges of allegiance to me written by my subjects:
I pledge allegiance to Dictator James. He is great and so smart. For his excellency I am grateful. To him we respect, always and forever.
I pledge allegiance to my smart, powerful and wise leader. I wish that he will never fall from his rightful throne. For he is the best man in this realm and this shall always stay.
And my personal favorite:
I pledge allegiance to Dictator James, to whom I am most loyal to. I live to serve my majesty's desire and to honor his intelligence. I am forever in awe of his marvelous strength and his amazing, cunning movements. I live to serve and admire the greatness, to whom I am forever in debt to, Dictator James.
Ahhh, these peasants learned so fast. They quickly forgot about their old ways. Life became more simple for them. In time, without the distraction of having to think for themselves, they will become more consistent workers. Our daily calisthenics will make them grow stronger and give them more endurance. Our three minute jog this morning was, in a word, pathetic. The push-ups, very weak. We will improve. We will live up to the name of our new town, Superior. We will learn that the blessings of democracy are greatly exaggerated.
Your highness,
Dictator James
The people of this land could not enter the gates of the kingdom this morning without coming across this message:
Welcome
My name is Dictator James.
I have come to your land to make things better for you. I have many skills and much power. I know how a country should run. You no longer need to worry about elections
or making laws. I will take care of everything.
I have renamed this land Superior, for that is what we will
be. Your job is to work hard. If you do as I ask you will be very
happy. I am very pleased to help your
country run smoothly. Honor me by doing
your job.
Your leader,
Dictator James
I came and took over the lands of room 120. The people were wary of me at first, but I showed them quickly that I was their new leader, and not to be trifled with. I was enraged when they tried to pledge allegiance to their old flag and their old ways. They quickly saw the errors in their ways. Here are a few of the new pledges of allegiance to me written by my subjects:
I pledge allegiance to Dictator James. He is great and so smart. For his excellency I am grateful. To him we respect, always and forever.
I pledge allegiance to my smart, powerful and wise leader. I wish that he will never fall from his rightful throne. For he is the best man in this realm and this shall always stay.
And my personal favorite:
I pledge allegiance to Dictator James, to whom I am most loyal to. I live to serve my majesty's desire and to honor his intelligence. I am forever in awe of his marvelous strength and his amazing, cunning movements. I live to serve and admire the greatness, to whom I am forever in debt to, Dictator James.
Ahhh, these peasants learned so fast. They quickly forgot about their old ways. Life became more simple for them. In time, without the distraction of having to think for themselves, they will become more consistent workers. Our daily calisthenics will make them grow stronger and give them more endurance. Our three minute jog this morning was, in a word, pathetic. The push-ups, very weak. We will improve. We will live up to the name of our new town, Superior. We will learn that the blessings of democracy are greatly exaggerated.
Your highness,
Dictator James
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