Hopefully, no snow

Hello,

I'm hoping that we don't get a snow day tomorrow, although I'm probably in the minority in our classroom. 

Mrs. Farrand, school counselor, came into the classroom today and lead a discussion on bullying.  It was sad to see all of the hands go up when she asked who thought bullying was going on at HBS.  Lunch recess was the time that the kids thought the most bullying was going on.  When asked what we could do to help thwart that, more than one child said the adults on duty need to spread out more and move around.  I couldn't agree more.

We talked about the NWEA MAP testing that is upcoming.  I let them know that based on years of experience with the test, it is highly likely that the test results will say that some of them have moved up multiple grade levels and that others have actually moved down.  Although I want them to try their best on these tests, I don't want them to put too much stock in the results.  Luck will play a certain role in the results.  Some people will happen to get tougher questions, some will happen to get all of their guesses correct.  On the whole we will see improvement, but I usually have to explain to a couple lucky parents that their child isn't a genius, and to a couple unlucky parents that I their child didn't unlearn more concepts than they have learned this year.  I ask that you take the results in stride as well. 

If you are interested, I have a list of terms available that continually appear on the tests.  Many of them do not fit in our curriculum.  My goal is to let students make connections with all of the different concepts that we are learning about, and some of the terms don't fit in with what we are teaching.  I'm not purposefully leaving things out that I know that they will be tested on.  If you want the list to help assist your child or just for your own interest, I'd be happy to give it to you.  I think you may be surprised by many of the terms.

Keep your eyes on the skies.  And on the morning news.  We may have no school tomorrow. 

I'm hoping to get the cast off my thumb in the next couple days.  This hen peck typing is ridiculous and takes forever.  Although I'll have to start doing dishes again...

Thanks for reading,

Mr. Shea