Happy New Year

Hello,

It was good to be back.  Most kids got a chance to share a little about their vacations.  The class was respectful of one another and it didn't turn into an "I got a... " contest.

After hearing from one student about the ten plus hours a day spent on video games, we had a little discussion of overcoming that addiction. Many kids don't think it is a problem. We talked about what could have been accomplished during all that time... from learning an instrument to learning a language.  I admitted to playing a few too many games myself and showed them as I erased Plants vs. Zombies and my two other games from my Ipad.  I can become more if I can cut more of that out.

We had a lot of discussion after our intro to the Bill of Rights.  There is a homework sheet coming home.  It wasn't my original intention, but we didn't get through it in class.  Lots of opinions on our right to bear arms, search and seizure, and judge/jury stuff.  We'll do a mock trial in the near future so they can understand the jury stuff a little better.

I hope you all had a nice vacation.  I saw a lot of basketball.  Thank you for the gifts that I received on that last day of school.  My thank you notes are on my to do list.  I hope to finish on the bus to Emmanuel College tomorrow afternoon.  Students will spend the last half hour in Ms. Thayer's class.
We did a little review in math.  I'll take a look at those results tonight.  Most admitted that they were rusty on the division and on some of the terms.  I'm sure there weren't many kids doing long division around the tree over break.  It'll come back quickly.  I said that I didn't care if they forgot the procedure, their understanding of division should allow them to get right answers.  I'll let you know on that front.

Have a great night.

Mr. Shea