Later than I planned.

Hello,

More apologies on the lateness of this.  The best laid plans...

In short, there are still so many loose threads that we are trying to figure out in this school, that most after school time is spent meeting with colleagues and talking things out.

I gave the class a bit of a break this afternoon.  In the timeslot that will be library when they are up and running, I took them outside and had them draw three new foursquare courts.  Each group had a couple measuring tapes, yardsticks, and chalk.  They turned out really well. 

Book orders went home today.  You can order online or pay by cash or check.  Our online address is www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.  On the parent page, click the "Register" button in the "First Time Here?" section.  Register for your own name and password.  When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code: J36TM.  This code will make sure that your order is sent to me.  Any questions, just email me. 

We continued working on our geography picture dictionaries today.  We talked about geysers, but the Old Faithful Live Webcam was down.  Another day, I hope.  Plains, isthmus and badlands were also covered.

We somehow got into a discussion of solids, liquids and gases.  I think it evolved from a discussion about driving across the great plains to the Mile High City and then into the mountains.  From there I talked about climbing Wheeler Peak in NM on the 4th of July one year.  (It snowed on top.)  It was the highest I had ever been and I talked about the lack of oxygen that I felt climbing it.  Someone asked my favorite question: "Why?"  We got into the weight of gases, which of course meant a short talk about molecules in solids, liquids and gases.  I had them all around the room being molecules bouncing off one another.  They got in tight to be the solids, looser as a liquid, and far apart as the gas.  It is a good precursor to how I explain how crystals are formed that I'll give in Geology. 

These tangents, that really aren't that far off, are my favorite part of teaching.  How can I not love my job?  Our day can take us anywhere.  I didn't know that we would be making foursquares until I saw thirty kids lined up at the one court this morning.  A few random questions in class and off we go into a new topic.  One student started a question this afternoon with, "I don't know if this is related, but...."  I could feel my smile forming before he finished.  I think I started my answer with, "Yeah, it is a bit off-topic, but it's fantastic..."

I want students to write down any three personal connections that they can make to the book Witches so far.  For example: I like tree houses too.  I went on a vacation with my grandmother once.  I've stayed in a hotel.  etc.  

6:30.  I'm done.

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Shea