Day Three

Hello,

We started the day with some giant balloons. We're reviewing states of matter to kick off our chemistry unit. Mrs. Palopoli and I combined forces to show our classes what will happen to heated gas.

I just spent a good thirty minutes trying to download a picture to this blog. It isn't going to happen. Is anyone up for a class facebook or instagram account? I don't want to write much on those, but posting photos would be a snap, rather than emailing myself the photos, downloading them to my computer, and then trying to format them to this blog. Sometimes that process works, sometimes not. Auughh!

Anyway, picture a 50 foot long black hot dog. Now picture another one. Now picture them floating in the air. It was pretty cool.

In math, the RTI folks came in to do the September testing. These Aimsweb math tests take the place of the NWEA MAP math tests that we used to do in the computer lab. I like them because they are quicker. I think some students would rather go back to the lab tests since they were multiple choice tests. Fifth graders took two eight minute (timed) tests, then a couple quick computation tests in multiplication and division. It is a pretty big assumption to assume they can do their addition and subtraction facts by now. My guess is that many of them can multiply better than they can add. I'll find out soon. Rocket math gets going right off.

We talked a little protons, neutrons, and electrons this afternoon. I had to show them the WKRP atom lesson from WKRP to get it to sink in a little better. Most everyone thought that Venus Flytrap taught it better than I did.

I love all the questions that this unit generates. We got into what is a rainbow today. When you are talking about the chemistry of our universe, there aren't many questions that are off-topic.

Homework club will start next Tuesday. Kids can stay after school. It goes until five. I stay until at least six, if pick up is an issue. We goof off after dismissal until 3:30. Get our homework done by 4:15 and then play until five. I hope to see your child here.

This took awhile writing tonight due to my picture debacle. I'll stop here.

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea