Week 2

Hello,

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  I forgot to write on Thursday that I don't write anything on Friday.  There isn't usually any weekend homework (outside of regular reading) and I generally leave the school pretty close to the end of the day.  My brain is usually spent.  I come in on Sunday to tie up the loose ends, correct work and prepare for the coming week. 

Monday is our usual Library day, but only every other week.  We'll have to make sure that upcoming Monday holidays don't make it so we go a full four weeks without making it there.

I doled out class jobs today.  We will be finalizing the duties of each position and determining salaries in the next couple of days. 

Some things don't change from grade to grade: I forgot to pass out the field trip slip at the end of the day today.  We are going over to the Jr. High to do a study on the water striders in the stream.  The fifth grade team just scouted it out tonight after school today.  They aren't the easiest things to catch.  I think we needed more youth holding the nets.  We'll be over there for about an hour and a half Thursday morning.  Look for the slip tomorrow.  Rubber boots are recommended.  Water shoes would be okay as well.  It is super difficult to catch anything from the shore.  Waders would work as well, but most of the stream is well under a foot deep. 

We talked today about making inferences.  An inference is an educated guess based on the available evidence.  We make inferences based on our observations and our previous experiences.  If I smell hamburger cooking, I infer that I'll be eating burgers for dinner.  It might be tacos, in which case, my inference would be wrong.  Many television comedies are based on an incorrect inference.  We'll be discussing this more tomorrow.  I wanted them to think about it for homework, but I didn't require them to write anything down.

We also worked on our Writing Territories.  This is a term given by writing guru, Nancie Atwell, referring to the range of things that we do and write about in our everyday writing.  This includes genres and subjects of thing that we've written about, would like to write about or feel qualified to write about.  Last year I called it our Idea Book.  I'm placing more emphasis on writing what we know this year.  I think the kids will have an easier time drafting and rewriting if they are more passionate and knowledgeable about their subject matter. 

I'm thinking about starting up at least one club next week.  Stay tuned. 

My wife and I are staying down at her family cabin in Georgetown this week.  I'll be trying to leave the school by 5:00 for the next few days so I can enjoy the ocean before dark. 

Phys. Ed tomorrow.  Please make sure your child has sneakers. 

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea