Long day

Hello,

It was a long day with no specials and a spelling test.  For whatever reason, many kids came in without their homework.  A couple told me up front, and then little by little as the day passed, more and more were exposed.  When I caught someone blatantly cheating, I thought my head was going to explode.  I ripped up the paper and threw it away.  You could hear a pin drop for the rest of the spelling test.  Poor choices that hurt themselves are really disappointing. 

I set up our Animal Bracket last night.  We have eighteen contenders vying for the title of 2012-2013 class adoptee.  Every year I tell the kids that my Christmas gift to them is to do an animal adoption through the World Wildlife Federation.  WWF offers symbolic adoptions where they will send you an adoption certificate, stuffed animal and info card on the animal that you select.  I have many of the past winners above the tall bookshelf.  This year the class has nominated eighteen different animals from big cats to small birds and every day we will have a mini showdown election to eliminate one of the choices.  The kids are encouraged to stand up and speak on behalf of the animal they wish to win.  I only ask that the speeches contain factual information.  I don't want to hear any, "Vote for the __________ because it is soooooo cute!"  On the last day of school before vacation we will be down to our final two and the class adoption animal will be decided.  Ask your child what animal they chose.  Every student got the chance to choose a nominee.  Some wanted animals already nominated and declined to pick a second choice.

Lego club was a success, although I need to set aside more time for cleanup.  Those pesky small pieces have a way of getting lost.  We need to be very careful not to bust up some of these educational sets.  They aren't much good with even a piece or two missing.

Okay, I've got to get to correcting.  Have a great night.

Mr. Shea