Only 37 school days left

Hello,


I can't think about only 37 days left when we have so much left to accomplish.  Students received their Civil War simulation packets today.  We outlined how we are going to cover the war through the simulation.  We need to pick sides first.  A discussion took place on what makes a good leader.  Part of the homework is to write about someone in the class whom you think would make a good general.  We will be naming a General Lee and a General Grant, and then giving them multiple contingents.  I talked about the difficult position that our class generals will have: Be too strict and your team will be mad at you.  Be too lenient and your team will get mad at you.  It should not be a position entered into lightly.


We have a lot of testing coming up.  The NWEA MAP reading test will be this Friday.  The MEA science tests will be on Monday and Tuesday, the 5th and 6th.  The NWEA MAP math test will be on Tuesday the 13th.  I'll put all of these dates on the homework calendar.  Other upcoming dates include the 5th grade chorus concert at 6:30 on Tuesday the 6th,  the Bobcat 5K road race on Saturday the 17, Jr. High info night for 5th grade parents on both the 20th and 22nd of May, and the Civil War Reenactment on Thursday the 29th.


Poem in your Pocket day is this Wednesday.  Hopefully your child has two poems in mind for their pockets: one they wrote and one written by someone else. 


My hearing in my left ear is up to about 25%.  Not great, but improving.  At least I can now locate where sounds are coming from.  My appetite is back and my ring is no longer falling off my finger, so I must be putting some weight back on.  Thanks for asking.


Our trip to Plimoth Plantation was a success.  I showed some pics this morning and kids described what they heard and saw.  We had some great learning going on that day.  It reinforced my belief that so much more learning happens outside the classroom where kids get to experience it first hand.  It was very motivating.  I'm hoping for some type of Boston trip in the coming weeks.  Thank you to all the parents involved.  Thanks to the drivers and chaperones, as well as all of the parents who gave permission for their child to go along with us.  It was fun and memorable.


I'm going to run.  It is good to be back.  Let's make it a good stretch run.


Mr. Shea