Day One

Hello,

We had a pretty easy day. It probably wasn't as exciting as some of them hoped, but we set up the playbook. It was really great to see everyone again. I'm confident that we will have a great year.

We completed an assignment notebook scavenger hunt to get them acclimated to the new version. We also figured out the classroom jobs which will get filled tomorrow. We are going to take a page from The City of Ember (a read aloud last year) and have an assignment day. Students will draw for their jobs. Each job will be written on a sliver of paper. Trades will be allowed.

Our silent reading time was great, just like last year. I'm happy with the number of kids who kept up their reading over the summer.

I gave them a little motivation quiz this afternoon. This will confirm my thoughts on most of the kids, but I may learn something new. The quiz is supposed to let me know what motivates each student - praise, power, projects, prestige, prizes or people.  Each category has an explanation that I'll gladly explain if you are interested. I'll let you know where your child fell as well.

One of my favorite moments of the day came when our new secretary delivered part of my budget order in the middle of class. "Excuse me," she asked. "Did you order a bunch of metals?"

I did. I ordered some elemental metals for our first unit, chemistry. I like that she had the same reaction to my budget orders as our recently retired secretary, Mary.

We'll get going strong tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Shea

supply list

Hello,

I should have written this earlier, but this might save a few of you some cash.  Here is the 5th grade supply list from the HBS website:

4) boxes #2 pencils (as needed)
(1) small pencil box
(3) spiral notebooks
(4) folders, with pockets, 3-holed punched (no fasteners)
(1) basic calculator
(1) pair of scissors
(1) package – pencil cap erasers
(1) box of colored pencils
(1) set of fine point markers
(4) glue sticks
(1) highlighter
(1) set of four EXPO markers
(1) box of tissues
(1) container of Clorox wipes

Here is my two cents on the list.  The first four items are important. I also want everyone to have a binder for their homework folder and their assignment book (provided). Everything else on the list will be available in the classroom. It is just a matter of whether or not your child wants to have their own scissors, markers, colored pencils, etc.

I start the year with tissues with lotion in the classroom.  The school tissues are thin and scratchy. I don't recommend depending on those. That said, I'd appreciate any lotion tissues as the year goes on.

I hope this helps your budget.  Sorry if I didn't get this out soon enough for you, but everything will get used, so thank you in advance.

I can't wait to get going.  If anyone wants to help in the class you can join me to stamp some new books tomorrow, Sunday the 23rd, it probably will take an hour or so.  Just call 841-2599 when you get here and I'll let you in. I know that some of the kids like doing that too so it can be a parent or student volunteer, but I must warn you, easily 300+ books to process. I'll be here by ten am, probably until 6. You might want to call before you leave your house as well, just in case someone beat you to the punch.

Thanks!

Mr. Shea