Hello,
I got a little upset with our congress this afternoon. They made a law that didn't quite jive with previous laws and when I asked about it, I immediately got differing opinions. They didn't know either. I got on them, because a lot of people in our class have lost elections, so when the winners don't do their jobs well, it feels like a slap in the face to the kids who have lost.
I also wasn't so happy with their homework. I haven't made these last two weeks overly difficult on them, so the slide on the effort in their homework just isn't acceptable. Tonight's writing minimum is five sentences. If we can't do that, I'll up it to seven. We can and will do better.
The winning fairy tale unit team, I forgot their team name, got to cash in on their reward today. We started watching The Princess Bride at lunch time. Students not on the winning team can also watch, if they scored above 80% on their test. Students scoring below 80 can earn a viewing of the second showing after the holiday break if they can show that they learned the material from the test. It should take four or five lunch times to show the entire movie.
I'm thinking of starting an entire classic movie reward system. It gets the kids out of the cafeteria for a change. It should motivate some of them to get their work done and learn the material that they are supposed to. It also gives me an excuse to show them some quality movies that I can then reference in class. The Wizard of Oz is on deck, along with a movie based on a Roald Dahl book. I think that I"ll go with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the old version).
We got in our last computer lab session before the break for writing. We will continue to get in there as much as we can for a variety of subjects.
No homework club tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience of the late notice. I still don't know my hoop schedule for Jan - Feb, but will let you know the homework club plans as soon as I can.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Final Four
Hello,
The final four contenders are in place for the WWF adoption challenge. Tomorrow, the walrus will take on the emerald hummingbird in the first semi-final. Thursday will see the penguin and the tiger go head to head. The final champion and adoptee will be determined on Friday. It has been a year of lop-sided victories, but there is no way I would try to predict a winner. I'd say whatever animal can remained focused and keep their eyes on the prize will prevail.
The switching of narrators from August to Via in our read-aloud, Wonder, is going to open our eyes to some extra drama going on in the story. I've got to figure out a good stopping place for our vacation and make sure that I get there.
Please ask your child how many Roald Dahl books that they have read during our Dahlathon. Anything less than three, even if they are reading other books at home, is really inexcusable. Dahl has some very short books and the class has been given thirty plus minutes to read, every day, for the last ten school days.
We now have three Supreme Court justices in place. Congrats to Will, Elly and Luke. Now it's time to see if our laws and economy can work hand in hand. My payroll dept. is way behind, but I'll get on those people.
I'm hoping for a chapter 3 math test on Thursday. We'll see how tomorrow's review goes.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
The final four contenders are in place for the WWF adoption challenge. Tomorrow, the walrus will take on the emerald hummingbird in the first semi-final. Thursday will see the penguin and the tiger go head to head. The final champion and adoptee will be determined on Friday. It has been a year of lop-sided victories, but there is no way I would try to predict a winner. I'd say whatever animal can remained focused and keep their eyes on the prize will prevail.
The switching of narrators from August to Via in our read-aloud, Wonder, is going to open our eyes to some extra drama going on in the story. I've got to figure out a good stopping place for our vacation and make sure that I get there.
Please ask your child how many Roald Dahl books that they have read during our Dahlathon. Anything less than three, even if they are reading other books at home, is really inexcusable. Dahl has some very short books and the class has been given thirty plus minutes to read, every day, for the last ten school days.
We now have three Supreme Court justices in place. Congrats to Will, Elly and Luke. Now it's time to see if our laws and economy can work hand in hand. My payroll dept. is way behind, but I'll get on those people.
I'm hoping for a chapter 3 math test on Thursday. We'll see how tomorrow's review goes.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Monday, December 15, 2014
Last week before the big break
Hello,
We didn't get to our class government today because of all the discussions surrounding the two pages of Wonder that I tried to get through. Topic included genetics, (ask about dominant and recessive genes), the freedoms of college (including food and homework choices), the pros and cons of online college, and finally, because the main character's family is half Jewish, we talked a bit about what that meant. This book brings up a lot of topics.Your child may even understand a reference to the book War and Peace by Tolstoy. (Although it was mentioned last week, ask to see, I bet some remember.)
In math we are reviewing our long division and multiple digit multiplication. I hope the long vacation doesn't put some of those neurons to sleep.
We have been lucky enough to get another couple of sessions in the computer lab for writing. I hope that can keep up. We can only sign up for two sessions a week, but if it is open on another day during our literacy this week, I'm going to jump on it. (We can sign up for any open sessions on the current day, if they are still open.)
Bowdoin hoop practice is done until the 26th. I'm so glad not to be in college taking finals right now. I'm counting my blessings.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
We didn't get to our class government today because of all the discussions surrounding the two pages of Wonder that I tried to get through. Topic included genetics, (ask about dominant and recessive genes), the freedoms of college (including food and homework choices), the pros and cons of online college, and finally, because the main character's family is half Jewish, we talked a bit about what that meant. This book brings up a lot of topics.Your child may even understand a reference to the book War and Peace by Tolstoy. (Although it was mentioned last week, ask to see, I bet some remember.)
In math we are reviewing our long division and multiple digit multiplication. I hope the long vacation doesn't put some of those neurons to sleep.
We have been lucky enough to get another couple of sessions in the computer lab for writing. I hope that can keep up. We can only sign up for two sessions a week, but if it is open on another day during our literacy this week, I'm going to jump on it. (We can sign up for any open sessions on the current day, if they are still open.)
Bowdoin hoop practice is done until the 26th. I'm so glad not to be in college taking finals right now. I'm counting my blessings.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Hello again
Busy week. The indoor recesses are piling up as well. I hope we can get outside for some fresh air tomorrow.
I was happy with our day today considering all of the possible reasons for cabin fever. We jumped right in to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution:
In our study of government, I am going to have everyone in the class memorize this. I think it is important to learn how to memorize passages, and this one explains the purpose of our government, which can be tough to grasp for a ten year old. We went over all of the vocabulary today. I showed them the School House Rock! version twice. That animated song is how I learned it in the 70's. You can look for it on youtube if you're interested in seeing it. It went along well with our afternoon discussion in getting the kids to understand the words of the preamble.
We got into the computer lab this morning. I think half hour sessions will work well for awhile. Just like in reading and writing, the kids need to develop a stamina to work in there for very long. Our first attempt at typed dialogues went very well.
Our long division work is going along very well. It is difficult to wrap your brain around so we will keep at it, but I don't remember a fourth grade class getting it any quicker.
Our read aloud, Wonder, is a book I recommend to all of you. I'll give you some of the great discussion topics as they come up.
Sorry about this week's shortage of blogs. I was just getting back on track and... oops. We only have a couple more hoop practices this semester, so I'm hoping to get caught back up on my work. Anyway, I got back late from Farmington last night and am once again falling asleep at the computer.
Thanks for reading.
Mr. Shea
I was happy with our day today considering all of the possible reasons for cabin fever. We jumped right in to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution:
We the people of
the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of
America.
In our study of government, I am going to have everyone in the class memorize this. I think it is important to learn how to memorize passages, and this one explains the purpose of our government, which can be tough to grasp for a ten year old. We went over all of the vocabulary today. I showed them the School House Rock! version twice. That animated song is how I learned it in the 70's. You can look for it on youtube if you're interested in seeing it. It went along well with our afternoon discussion in getting the kids to understand the words of the preamble.
We got into the computer lab this morning. I think half hour sessions will work well for awhile. Just like in reading and writing, the kids need to develop a stamina to work in there for very long. Our first attempt at typed dialogues went very well.
Our long division work is going along very well. It is difficult to wrap your brain around so we will keep at it, but I don't remember a fourth grade class getting it any quicker.
Our read aloud, Wonder, is a book I recommend to all of you. I'll give you some of the great discussion topics as they come up.
Sorry about this week's shortage of blogs. I was just getting back on track and... oops. We only have a couple more hoop practices this semester, so I'm hoping to get caught back up on my work. Anyway, I got back late from Farmington last night and am once again falling asleep at the computer.
Thanks for reading.
Mr. Shea
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Snow Biz
Hello,
Brief blog. The kids performed Snow Biz for the whole school this morning. Well done by all.
We met for math long enough to do Rocket Math, but only three passed, our lowest total yet. Keep working the facts!
The cute streak ended when the walrus beat the lynx in WWF adoption voting. Our president spoke on behalf of the walrus, which surely helped its cause. The penguin chick pictures got huge "Aaaaahhhhs" however, and cuted their way past the kangaroo.
I started using to kid names on the blog this week. That is because I saw the list of kids who I have permission to put their name on here, unaccompanied by a pic, of course. Almost everyone checked that it was okay in your school paperwork. Contact me if you are unsure of your previous reply. I will never use last names.
Our House of Reps and Senate both passed our first Supreme Court Justice today. Congrats Elly.
Our Roald Dahlathon is off and running. Ask your child what Dahl book they are reading first.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Brief blog. The kids performed Snow Biz for the whole school this morning. Well done by all.
We met for math long enough to do Rocket Math, but only three passed, our lowest total yet. Keep working the facts!
The cute streak ended when the walrus beat the lynx in WWF adoption voting. Our president spoke on behalf of the walrus, which surely helped its cause. The penguin chick pictures got huge "Aaaaahhhhs" however, and cuted their way past the kangaroo.
I started using to kid names on the blog this week. That is because I saw the list of kids who I have permission to put their name on here, unaccompanied by a pic, of course. Almost everyone checked that it was okay in your school paperwork. Contact me if you are unsure of your previous reply. I will never use last names.
Our House of Reps and Senate both passed our first Supreme Court Justice today. Congrats Elly.
Our Roald Dahlathon is off and running. Ask your child what Dahl book they are reading first.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Cute wins
Hello,
I hope everyone was able to scrape their way into their vehicles this morning and get where they needed to go safely. It was a quick day, but at least one that we don't have to do in late June.
In WWF voting, the trend continued: the cutest animal has won every contest. You may not think moose are cute, but next to a hammerhead shark, they are like Shirley Temple, albeit with a potbelly and antlers. Today the red panda crushed (Aiden's favorite word) the anaconda, 18-4. In the koala vs. red-eyed tree frog match, the tree frog fans begged me not to show a koala picture because of the cute factor. They were then very happy that I showed it after seeing the close-up of the koala because it looked like an unshaven version of my Uncle Frank with a big schnozz. Uncle Frank lost 17-5. I'd like to believe that today's winning animals won because Kipp and Morgan got up in front of the class and taught us a little about these animals, but the fact remains: cute is undefeated.
Wonder, our read aloud, is bringing up lots of good topics for discussion. The kids brought in some fantastic precepts, some funny, some very serious. We talked about the effect of report cards. I told them about getting my first B in science, and from then on believing that I wasn't good in science. I was very clear with the class that I don't want to have that type of influence on them. They can become or do whatever they want in life, it will just take hard work. I hope they feel safe to come to me with any questions on their grades, which are just my opinion on where they are right now. I hope you all dare to question me as well.
We learned today that Snow Biz, the musical, will be performed for the whole school tomorrow at 9:30. I look forward to seeing the performances, but we will have another no math day. There is always a trade off. Ms. Feigner and I are going to try to squeeze in twenty minutes for the students not part of the production. On a side note, I've been singing, "There's no business, like snow business..." but apparently that song isn't part of the show.
I've got a basketball game to get to.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
I hope everyone was able to scrape their way into their vehicles this morning and get where they needed to go safely. It was a quick day, but at least one that we don't have to do in late June.
In WWF voting, the trend continued: the cutest animal has won every contest. You may not think moose are cute, but next to a hammerhead shark, they are like Shirley Temple, albeit with a potbelly and antlers. Today the red panda crushed (Aiden's favorite word) the anaconda, 18-4. In the koala vs. red-eyed tree frog match, the tree frog fans begged me not to show a koala picture because of the cute factor. They were then very happy that I showed it after seeing the close-up of the koala because it looked like an unshaven version of my Uncle Frank with a big schnozz. Uncle Frank lost 17-5. I'd like to believe that today's winning animals won because Kipp and Morgan got up in front of the class and taught us a little about these animals, but the fact remains: cute is undefeated.
Wonder, our read aloud, is bringing up lots of good topics for discussion. The kids brought in some fantastic precepts, some funny, some very serious. We talked about the effect of report cards. I told them about getting my first B in science, and from then on believing that I wasn't good in science. I was very clear with the class that I don't want to have that type of influence on them. They can become or do whatever they want in life, it will just take hard work. I hope they feel safe to come to me with any questions on their grades, which are just my opinion on where they are right now. I hope you all dare to question me as well.
We learned today that Snow Biz, the musical, will be performed for the whole school tomorrow at 9:30. I look forward to seeing the performances, but we will have another no math day. There is always a trade off. Ms. Feigner and I are going to try to squeeze in twenty minutes for the students not part of the production. On a side note, I've been singing, "There's no business, like snow business..." but apparently that song isn't part of the show.
I've got a basketball game to get to.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Choose kind
Hello,
I feel badly that I missed the Snow Biz musical tonight. My practice went long. Unfortunately, because of the Bowdoin game tomorrow, I'm not going to get to see it. I try very hard to see my students when they are performing in different activities important to them, and I feel awful to be missing out on the results of their hard work. I'll find out tomorrow how the first performance went. We had many kids with spoken/sung lines tonight.
Our new read aloud is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It is a fantastic book that I have wanted to reference many times this year, so I'm getting to it. It gets into many issues that fourth and fifth graders have to deal with, including school pressures and bullying.
The main character of the story, and current narrator, August, is a fifth grader starting at a new school. August has a face that is extremely abnormal. People stare at him. Wonder is his story, but told from many different points of view. I did it as a read aloud last year, and I will read it to each class because of the lessons that it teaches.
Tonight's homework is related to August's English class. His teacher, Mr. Browne, writes a new precept on the board every month. His beginning of the year precept is: When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.
We talked about that for a while today. It is an important lesson, and a theme that runs through the book. Choose kind.
In our WWF matchups, the moose and the ocelot were victorious over the shark and the gibbon, respectively. Both won by 13-8 votes. Tomorrow the koala goes up against the tree frog and the red panda takes on the anaconda.
I've started one on one conferences in writing. This should happen with each child once a week. Now we can start really buckling down on the specifics that your child need to work on. Ask your child when their conference is scheduled.
I corrected yesterday's spelling test. I'll be breaking up the class into small groups to focus on where their greatest spelling needs are. Interesting results. I keep relaying info on this as I get it.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
I feel badly that I missed the Snow Biz musical tonight. My practice went long. Unfortunately, because of the Bowdoin game tomorrow, I'm not going to get to see it. I try very hard to see my students when they are performing in different activities important to them, and I feel awful to be missing out on the results of their hard work. I'll find out tomorrow how the first performance went. We had many kids with spoken/sung lines tonight.
Our new read aloud is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It is a fantastic book that I have wanted to reference many times this year, so I'm getting to it. It gets into many issues that fourth and fifth graders have to deal with, including school pressures and bullying.
The main character of the story, and current narrator, August, is a fifth grader starting at a new school. August has a face that is extremely abnormal. People stare at him. Wonder is his story, but told from many different points of view. I did it as a read aloud last year, and I will read it to each class because of the lessons that it teaches.
Tonight's homework is related to August's English class. His teacher, Mr. Browne, writes a new precept on the board every month. His beginning of the year precept is: When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.
We talked about that for a while today. It is an important lesson, and a theme that runs through the book. Choose kind.
In our WWF matchups, the moose and the ocelot were victorious over the shark and the gibbon, respectively. Both won by 13-8 votes. Tomorrow the koala goes up against the tree frog and the red panda takes on the anaconda.
I've started one on one conferences in writing. This should happen with each child once a week. Now we can start really buckling down on the specifics that your child need to work on. Ask your child when their conference is scheduled.
I corrected yesterday's spelling test. I'll be breaking up the class into small groups to focus on where their greatest spelling needs are. Interesting results. I keep relaying info on this as I get it.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Monday, December 1, 2014
I'm back!
Hello,
It's 7:00. Practice over. School over. I'm going to try to be more consistent. That can be translated as more blogging, but briefer.
Every year, as my holiday gift to the class, we adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Federation's symbolic adoption program. Kids nominated animals from the WWF guide last week. Now we have a giant bracket of animals from around the world. Each day we will have one or two matchups. Tomorrow the ocelot will go against the white-cheeked gibbon and the moose will face the hammerhead shark. Students are allowed to speak up on behalf of the animals as long as they have done some research and have some facts. After hearing from the supporters, we will vote. Winner moves to the next round, loser is out. Last year's winner was the three toed sloth. Ask your child which animal they are supporting.
We took our fairy tale, legend, myth, fable quiz today. I'll know how it went after I grade it tonight. Tomorrow is our fairy tale, legend, myth, fable jeopardy game. The class has been working in three teams. The winning team based on their skits, quizzes and jeopardy score will get to watch a movie of a fairy tale during lunch times in the classroom.
We took a spelling test today. It wasn't the traditional Sitton program, but a new program that will be more differentiated to where each individual is as a speller. More to come on the new spelling Words Our Way program soon. I have high hopes.
Snow Biz musicals are on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:30. I have practice tomorrow until 6:30, but will catch most of it. Bowdoin vs. USM in basketball at 7:00 on Wednesday, so Tuesday is my only chance. Good luck to the cast and crew.
I hope you all had a good mini break. 14 more days of school before 16 more off. Keep up the reading and math facts please.
Thanks,
Mr. Shea
It's 7:00. Practice over. School over. I'm going to try to be more consistent. That can be translated as more blogging, but briefer.
Every year, as my holiday gift to the class, we adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Federation's symbolic adoption program. Kids nominated animals from the WWF guide last week. Now we have a giant bracket of animals from around the world. Each day we will have one or two matchups. Tomorrow the ocelot will go against the white-cheeked gibbon and the moose will face the hammerhead shark. Students are allowed to speak up on behalf of the animals as long as they have done some research and have some facts. After hearing from the supporters, we will vote. Winner moves to the next round, loser is out. Last year's winner was the three toed sloth. Ask your child which animal they are supporting.
We took our fairy tale, legend, myth, fable quiz today. I'll know how it went after I grade it tonight. Tomorrow is our fairy tale, legend, myth, fable jeopardy game. The class has been working in three teams. The winning team based on their skits, quizzes and jeopardy score will get to watch a movie of a fairy tale during lunch times in the classroom.
We took a spelling test today. It wasn't the traditional Sitton program, but a new program that will be more differentiated to where each individual is as a speller. More to come on the new spelling Words Our Way program soon. I have high hopes.
Snow Biz musicals are on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:30. I have practice tomorrow until 6:30, but will catch most of it. Bowdoin vs. USM in basketball at 7:00 on Wednesday, so Tuesday is my only chance. Good luck to the cast and crew.
I hope you all had a good mini break. 14 more days of school before 16 more off. Keep up the reading and math facts please.
Thanks,
Mr. Shea
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