March Madness

Hello,


I didn't get my bracket in again.  Somehow it has become less of a priority since I began teaching. 


Sorry about no blog yesterday.  I had a few conferences and I just talked way too much on my last one.  By the time I got done, I was late getting home.  It is dog sitting week for me.  I picked up my parent's dog before any messes, but I've got to get out of here a little earlier this week. 


Students were introduced to a little stamp collecting yesterday.  I have some American bicentennial covers with Ben Franklin cancellations from Philadelphia that I got a while back.  I thought we could use them to study some of the symbols of the American Revolution.  Each student will get their own cover (envelope) to illustrate as they would like. 


I've started to give the kids a little more free writing time.  Poetry suggestions, from reading different types, to sharing famous ones will be more frequent for the rest of the year.  We read an Emerson poem about Lexington and Concord yesterday.  We also worked with some group poems, especially two reader poems.  Many kids are writing their own.


We've developed a more solid base for our fraction knowledge than we had last year, so now here come the word problems.  Time to apply our knowledge.  Shaky start, but we'll get there. 


Homework Club has started up the Club Olympics again.  Knockout and Volleyball were our first two events of the spring.  It is an honor to host the games once again.  I didn't think I would have the facilities ready in time. 


Have a good night.


Mr. Shea