Hello,
We started the week off with the NWEA MAP Math test. It is not a timed test, so four students went back in the afternoon to finish. The test is designed to get harder and harder if you are doing well, so finishing later than others is usually a good sign.
We had our first physical education class. 100% of the class brought sneakers which is fantastic. Unfortunately for everyone interested in running around for a good forty minutes, the first p.e. class involves a lot of procedure learning, including fire alarm and lockdown what ifs. I saw some disappointed faces after the class, instead of the usual exhilarated, but exhausted faces.
We mixed some corn starch and water this afternoon in our study of solids and liquids. We made a mess and I am very glad that we have a floor instead of a rug. Some kids brought some home, some will probably request that you buy some.
We are going to be starting our class government soon. I outlined where we will go: a president, a congress, and judges. We will start slow with the whole class experiencing what it is like to be a senator or representative in the class. Bills will be discussed. Compromises may be reached. We'll add one branch at a time as we go.
I read the first two pages of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. It has an excellent hook to start the story. That will be our first read aloud novel of the year.
I am trying to get in the habit of only putting one space at the end of a sentence after the punctuation, but I realize that I am still failing many times. I promise to get better. I was taught to put the two spaces, but lately was told that this is an outdated practice. I'm sorry for the inconsistency.
I still haven't written any of my preachy posts, but fear not, they are coming.
Thanks for reading.
Mr. Shea
Monday, September 8, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
Fantastic Friday
Hello,
We had a great day. I can see that science will be a key component to our class. The enthusiasm during the last hour of the day, despite being interrupted by a fire drill, was infectious. We didn't get to a planned experiment, mainly because of all the questions along the way, and they were very good questions.
Students watched an animation of our continents being formed out of Pangaea. I explained how the plates move due to the convection currents of the magma under the crust of the earth and how the Himalayas are still growing. I'll get into more of the specifics next week.
We got into a discussion of solids, liquids and gases. I explained this in several different ways, including making the kids act like molecules of a solid being heated into a liquid and then a gas. The hands were up and the curiosity was bubbling. My favorite question of the day was, "How come wood doesn't turn into a liquid?" It was like a dream.
This looks to be a class that will access a lot of reading and writing skills through science. I'm all for it. Whatever gets the boat moving in the right direction, is what I'll do.
Monday will be our first physical education class. Please remind your child to bring sneakers. We also have our first NWEA MAP testing on Monday at 9:10 - 10:00. Not a great way to start the week, but it will get better and better from there.
Have a good weekend.
Mr. Shea
We had a great day. I can see that science will be a key component to our class. The enthusiasm during the last hour of the day, despite being interrupted by a fire drill, was infectious. We didn't get to a planned experiment, mainly because of all the questions along the way, and they were very good questions.
Students watched an animation of our continents being formed out of Pangaea. I explained how the plates move due to the convection currents of the magma under the crust of the earth and how the Himalayas are still growing. I'll get into more of the specifics next week.
We got into a discussion of solids, liquids and gases. I explained this in several different ways, including making the kids act like molecules of a solid being heated into a liquid and then a gas. The hands were up and the curiosity was bubbling. My favorite question of the day was, "How come wood doesn't turn into a liquid?" It was like a dream.
This looks to be a class that will access a lot of reading and writing skills through science. I'm all for it. Whatever gets the boat moving in the right direction, is what I'll do.
Monday will be our first physical education class. Please remind your child to bring sneakers. We also have our first NWEA MAP testing on Monday at 9:10 - 10:00. Not a great way to start the week, but it will get better and better from there.
Have a good weekend.
Mr. Shea
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Bounce back day
Hello,
Sorry that this is late. I had a tutoring session in the gym. I've tutored kids in math for years, but the past three years I've been tutoring in basketball as well. Lots of fun. This might be a good time to tell you that I will be helping out with the Bowdoin women's basketball team this winter. I love the sport and am really looking forward to it.
Our class had a good day today. We started off by reading My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook. This was in direct response to yesterday. I was very pleased to see kids catching themselves before erupting with whatever thought just crossed their mind. It was a nice step along our journey.
I gave the kids the Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge. Each team of two had eighteen minutes to build a marshmallow topped structure out of dry spaghetti, string and masking tape. The object is to get the marshmallow as high as possible. I saw great communication, teamwork, learning from mistakes, risk taking, and very little fear of failure. I read that kindergartners were more successful at this challenge than many adults. Part of this was attributed to young peoples' growth mindset. They haven't learned a fear of failure yet. I will blog more about mindset when it isn't so late in the day. Ask your child about their structure.
Thank you for doing all of the parent homework last night. All but four came back.
We got going on our Little Miss and Mr. stories this afternoon. I'm looking forward to writing with this group. Second drafts are always an adventure.
We wrote out long numbers in words in our math session. I would write a number on the board like 4,527,030. The kids would write four million, five hundred twenty seven thousand, thirty on their dry erase boards. It went well. I gave one for homework.
We had our first Sitton spelling test. I'll explain how our spelling program works next week, when kids will have to put in a little time with their words. Today just gave me a baseline to work with.
Our student teacher, Ms. Hill, gave everyone a get to know her quiz today. I only got five out of nine, but in the end, we all knew a lot more about her. Ask your child to tell you a couple facts about her.
Thanks for reading. Again, sorry so late.
Mr. Shea
Sorry that this is late. I had a tutoring session in the gym. I've tutored kids in math for years, but the past three years I've been tutoring in basketball as well. Lots of fun. This might be a good time to tell you that I will be helping out with the Bowdoin women's basketball team this winter. I love the sport and am really looking forward to it.
Our class had a good day today. We started off by reading My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook. This was in direct response to yesterday. I was very pleased to see kids catching themselves before erupting with whatever thought just crossed their mind. It was a nice step along our journey.
I gave the kids the Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge. Each team of two had eighteen minutes to build a marshmallow topped structure out of dry spaghetti, string and masking tape. The object is to get the marshmallow as high as possible. I saw great communication, teamwork, learning from mistakes, risk taking, and very little fear of failure. I read that kindergartners were more successful at this challenge than many adults. Part of this was attributed to young peoples' growth mindset. They haven't learned a fear of failure yet. I will blog more about mindset when it isn't so late in the day. Ask your child about their structure.
Thank you for doing all of the parent homework last night. All but four came back.
We got going on our Little Miss and Mr. stories this afternoon. I'm looking forward to writing with this group. Second drafts are always an adventure.
We wrote out long numbers in words in our math session. I would write a number on the board like 4,527,030. The kids would write four million, five hundred twenty seven thousand, thirty on their dry erase boards. It went well. I gave one for homework.
We had our first Sitton spelling test. I'll explain how our spelling program works next week, when kids will have to put in a little time with their words. Today just gave me a baseline to work with.
Our student teacher, Ms. Hill, gave everyone a get to know her quiz today. I only got five out of nine, but in the end, we all knew a lot more about her. Ask your child to tell you a couple facts about her.
Thanks for reading. Again, sorry so late.
Mr. Shea
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Day Two
Hello,
We got a little more academic today. I may pull back the reigns a little bit tomorrow, though. Behaviors, not necessarily the best ones, starting popping up. We have to get the blurting out under control, before everyone is going to feel like they can comfortably speak up. Lots of kids trying to control the class, doesn't work very well. We'll get a handle on it.
We reviewed some place value in math today. We used place value cubes, rods and flats to demonstrate large numbers. We built a giant flat and a giant cube out of pvc pipe to represent 100,000 and 1,000,000 respectively. Most of them need more work on the bigger numbers to get a firm grasp of the big patterns.
The class met the new librarian, Ms. Sherrill this morning. Library will be bi-weekly this year. Our next library session will be September 17th. The kids will get a chance to exchange books before that, however.
One of the big schedule changes this year is that chorus will be held during lunch recess. Sensing a loss in numbers due to the pull of the outdoors, our music teachers have decided to put on a musical. Musical rehearsals and role tryouts will start next Wednesday at lunch recess. I think it is a good decision to attract students, especially for future years.
In literacy, I introduced the kids to the Roger Hargreaves books. I've tried this in the past, and thought I'd go with it again since we have such a wide range of abilities. After reading a few of the books, students will be creating their own Little Miss or Mr. characters. Tomorrow they will start developing their own stories. The idea is to give them an easy run through of the writing process. Writing simple stories will make the drafting process easier for them. Most nine and ten year olds want their first draft to be their last draft. This will give them a glimpse into the future of their writing: write a draft and then make it better.
Students will be learning the seven continents (if they don't know them already). At least one of the continent songs will be heard in your house over the next couple of weeks. Students will be expected to identify the continents, oceans, major lines of latitude, our home country and state on a world map or globe.
The homework in a bag is going well. We got through about half of the bags and are getting to know about our classmates. More tomorrow.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
We got a little more academic today. I may pull back the reigns a little bit tomorrow, though. Behaviors, not necessarily the best ones, starting popping up. We have to get the blurting out under control, before everyone is going to feel like they can comfortably speak up. Lots of kids trying to control the class, doesn't work very well. We'll get a handle on it.
We reviewed some place value in math today. We used place value cubes, rods and flats to demonstrate large numbers. We built a giant flat and a giant cube out of pvc pipe to represent 100,000 and 1,000,000 respectively. Most of them need more work on the bigger numbers to get a firm grasp of the big patterns.
The class met the new librarian, Ms. Sherrill this morning. Library will be bi-weekly this year. Our next library session will be September 17th. The kids will get a chance to exchange books before that, however.
One of the big schedule changes this year is that chorus will be held during lunch recess. Sensing a loss in numbers due to the pull of the outdoors, our music teachers have decided to put on a musical. Musical rehearsals and role tryouts will start next Wednesday at lunch recess. I think it is a good decision to attract students, especially for future years.
In literacy, I introduced the kids to the Roger Hargreaves books. I've tried this in the past, and thought I'd go with it again since we have such a wide range of abilities. After reading a few of the books, students will be creating their own Little Miss or Mr. characters. Tomorrow they will start developing their own stories. The idea is to give them an easy run through of the writing process. Writing simple stories will make the drafting process easier for them. Most nine and ten year olds want their first draft to be their last draft. This will give them a glimpse into the future of their writing: write a draft and then make it better.
Students will be learning the seven continents (if they don't know them already). At least one of the continent songs will be heard in your house over the next couple of weeks. Students will be expected to identify the continents, oceans, major lines of latitude, our home country and state on a world map or globe.
The homework in a bag is going well. We got through about half of the bags and are getting to know about our classmates. More tomorrow.
Have a great night.
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Oops. Mistakes were made.
Hello,
I felt like we got off to a great start. It was only at the end of the day that I realized that I didn't give the class the information packet (the parent homework) and the note from me (sending you to this blog). AUGH!
Well, besides my slip ups, the day went pretty well. I'll give you a write up of each day by 6:00 every night. The idea is for you to get a sense of what went on and to discuss part of the day with your child.
Today was all about setting expectations for how we go about things in fourth grade. While I'm not overly pleased with our walking in line, it was a minor hiccup in the day. We successfully held doors open for each other, learned from each other in group work, and did really well in our first silent reading of the year. I'm so pleased to have some motivated readers from the get go. Not everyone, but a good chunk.
Our special of the day was art. I heard that it went well, but I don't know what they did exactly. Tomorrow we'll have library (every other Wednesday), Friday is music, and Monday we have phys. ed. I sent a schedule home with your child. (I didn't forget everything.)
We did a little group building activity this afternoon with large foam blocks that I noticed that the tech dept. was throwing away last week. Our emphasis was working together, problem solving, and learning from each other. It was great to see kids learning from what didn't work at first. While not perfect, I saw a lot that we can build upon. I also will be able to reference this experience later, as we get better at listening to all points of view. My guess is that your child will have a comment or two about the experience.
We will be starting Rocket Math this week. Your child took a preliminary test on writing speed today. Their one minute testing goals will be based on the speed that they are able to write. We'll revisit this later in the year, since most students get quicker as the year goes on. Tomorrow we will take short tests in addition, subtraction, multiplication and possibly division. These tests will tell me how much they have mastered thus far and what level they should begin at this year. I'm a big fan of Rocket Math because each child works on the exact level where they need to be and then can advance at their own pace.
For read aloud today, I ventured off road and just told a story. I've had a few adventures in my time and I decided to share one of them with the class. Part of the motivation is wanting the kids to get to know me. The stronger that we feel we know each other, the easier it will be to have tough conversations. I told them a story about my experience in a cave that I hope shows them my sense of adventure. My wife would say it shows my level of foolishness. See what your child thinks of my cave story and see if they would have made the same decisions.
Outside of the rules and regulations, that was basically our day. I'll write more tomorrow when the proper notice home ensures more of an audience.
I do want you to know how seriously I take my job. I know that each one of these kids is the apple in your eye. I do everything I can to get to know them, make sure that they see that I care about them, and work as hard as possible to help them see how bright their future can be. I am always open to your feedback: sshea@brunswick.k12.me.us or 841-2599. My door is always open.
Thanks for reading. This is the start of something good.
Mr. Shea
I felt like we got off to a great start. It was only at the end of the day that I realized that I didn't give the class the information packet (the parent homework) and the note from me (sending you to this blog). AUGH!
Well, besides my slip ups, the day went pretty well. I'll give you a write up of each day by 6:00 every night. The idea is for you to get a sense of what went on and to discuss part of the day with your child.
Today was all about setting expectations for how we go about things in fourth grade. While I'm not overly pleased with our walking in line, it was a minor hiccup in the day. We successfully held doors open for each other, learned from each other in group work, and did really well in our first silent reading of the year. I'm so pleased to have some motivated readers from the get go. Not everyone, but a good chunk.
Our special of the day was art. I heard that it went well, but I don't know what they did exactly. Tomorrow we'll have library (every other Wednesday), Friday is music, and Monday we have phys. ed. I sent a schedule home with your child. (I didn't forget everything.)
We did a little group building activity this afternoon with large foam blocks that I noticed that the tech dept. was throwing away last week. Our emphasis was working together, problem solving, and learning from each other. It was great to see kids learning from what didn't work at first. While not perfect, I saw a lot that we can build upon. I also will be able to reference this experience later, as we get better at listening to all points of view. My guess is that your child will have a comment or two about the experience.
We will be starting Rocket Math this week. Your child took a preliminary test on writing speed today. Their one minute testing goals will be based on the speed that they are able to write. We'll revisit this later in the year, since most students get quicker as the year goes on. Tomorrow we will take short tests in addition, subtraction, multiplication and possibly division. These tests will tell me how much they have mastered thus far and what level they should begin at this year. I'm a big fan of Rocket Math because each child works on the exact level where they need to be and then can advance at their own pace.
For read aloud today, I ventured off road and just told a story. I've had a few adventures in my time and I decided to share one of them with the class. Part of the motivation is wanting the kids to get to know me. The stronger that we feel we know each other, the easier it will be to have tough conversations. I told them a story about my experience in a cave that I hope shows them my sense of adventure. My wife would say it shows my level of foolishness. See what your child thinks of my cave story and see if they would have made the same decisions.
Outside of the rules and regulations, that was basically our day. I'll write more tomorrow when the proper notice home ensures more of an audience.
I do want you to know how seriously I take my job. I know that each one of these kids is the apple in your eye. I do everything I can to get to know them, make sure that they see that I care about them, and work as hard as possible to help them see how bright their future can be. I am always open to your feedback: sshea@brunswick.k12.me.us or 841-2599. My door is always open.
Thanks for reading. This is the start of something good.
Mr. Shea
Monday, June 16, 2014
Ice cream social
Hello,
I hope everyone made it to the ice cream social. I forgot to remind students on the way out today. It looks like the biggest crowd that we've had for one.
Homework tonight is to finish up thank you notes to Pat, our weekly classroom volunteer, and to Detective Andreotti and the BPD for treating us to bowling and pizza.
Some students have spelling quizzes tomorrow on the words that they were supposed to learn this year but haven't quite got down.
The highlight of the day was the morning activity in the soccer field. We went out with Mrs. Palopoli's class and flew solar balloons, including one that was fifty feet long! It was fantastic. And a great way to review how atoms behave when heated.
We should finish up our explorer cards tomorrow. The kids did the major work for those cards months ago. We just never got around to the arts and crafts part of putting them together. We may not have gotten to everything that I planned, but we got to this.
I was thinking about some of the things you might want to do before going on our Gettysburg (non-school) trip, or any camping trip for that matter. Could you please go over with your child what a thorough tick check means? I'll make sure each child showers at least once a day. That would be a good time for them to do a good once over to make sure none of the little buggers are on them. We'll be walking in the woods and fields of Gettysburg, and I'd like to leave all the ticks in the town they were born in.
I also like to take care of the little things (like shaving) that I don't want to have to worry about on the road. Kid should probably cut finger nails and toe nails. Then they won't have to bring clippers or worry about them. Make sure that all the essentials get packed: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. They should have their before bedtime bathroom routine down pat, and know where to find their stuff at that time.
As far as packing, the days should be around eighty degrees and the nights around sixty. Long sleeves and pants shouldn't be needed. You may bring one of each for a just in case you get chilly moment, but over all, T-shirts and shorts should be the clothes of choice. I'd bring some type of flip flop for the showers, but I don't think that they would make good walking shoes. Teva type sandals could work well for both. Swim suit, rain coat and two towels (one for showers, one for pool) should be packed.
I'm excited to go. It makes the end of the year feel easier. I won't be saying goodbye to everyone right off.
Thanks for reading. Email me with questions or concerns.
Mr. Shea
I hope everyone made it to the ice cream social. I forgot to remind students on the way out today. It looks like the biggest crowd that we've had for one.
Homework tonight is to finish up thank you notes to Pat, our weekly classroom volunteer, and to Detective Andreotti and the BPD for treating us to bowling and pizza.
Some students have spelling quizzes tomorrow on the words that they were supposed to learn this year but haven't quite got down.
The highlight of the day was the morning activity in the soccer field. We went out with Mrs. Palopoli's class and flew solar balloons, including one that was fifty feet long! It was fantastic. And a great way to review how atoms behave when heated.
We should finish up our explorer cards tomorrow. The kids did the major work for those cards months ago. We just never got around to the arts and crafts part of putting them together. We may not have gotten to everything that I planned, but we got to this.
I was thinking about some of the things you might want to do before going on our Gettysburg (non-school) trip, or any camping trip for that matter. Could you please go over with your child what a thorough tick check means? I'll make sure each child showers at least once a day. That would be a good time for them to do a good once over to make sure none of the little buggers are on them. We'll be walking in the woods and fields of Gettysburg, and I'd like to leave all the ticks in the town they were born in.
I also like to take care of the little things (like shaving) that I don't want to have to worry about on the road. Kid should probably cut finger nails and toe nails. Then they won't have to bring clippers or worry about them. Make sure that all the essentials get packed: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. They should have their before bedtime bathroom routine down pat, and know where to find their stuff at that time.
As far as packing, the days should be around eighty degrees and the nights around sixty. Long sleeves and pants shouldn't be needed. You may bring one of each for a just in case you get chilly moment, but over all, T-shirts and shorts should be the clothes of choice. I'd bring some type of flip flop for the showers, but I don't think that they would make good walking shoes. Teva type sandals could work well for both. Swim suit, rain coat and two towels (one for showers, one for pool) should be packed.
I'm excited to go. It makes the end of the year feel easier. I won't be saying goodbye to everyone right off.
Thanks for reading. Email me with questions or concerns.
Mr. Shea
Thursday, June 12, 2014
A week to go
Hello,
It is hard to believe how fast all of this is wrapping up. I'm trying my best to get everything accomplished that we need to do. We won't be doing a couple of the nearby jaunts that other classrooms will be doing, but there are positives and negatives to having me as a teacher, depending on your perspective.
Pat came in and helped us with our final spelling test and a review of the Daze reading test. She has been a great help this year, and I know the kids appreciate her as much as I do. She brought cookies today, which brought out even more appreciation.
We tackled area of triangles today in math. Our homework didn't reflect that, only because I don't think they quite grasp it on their own. Right triangles were easy to understand. Obtuse triangles were the toughest to grasp. We'll get back at it tomorrow, and three more times next week.
We reviewed the digestive system in science and then jumped back to the nervous system. Eye sight was the major topic, continuing our understanding of how our brain sends and receives signals. We discovered our blind spot and looked at some illusions. Our Q & A sessions for every topic are so long, I just want to hug them all for their curiosity. And I don't hug.
I'm hoping we get to some Jeopardy for review of major 4th and 5th grade topics tomorrow. If not, there is always next week.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
It is hard to believe how fast all of this is wrapping up. I'm trying my best to get everything accomplished that we need to do. We won't be doing a couple of the nearby jaunts that other classrooms will be doing, but there are positives and negatives to having me as a teacher, depending on your perspective.
Pat came in and helped us with our final spelling test and a review of the Daze reading test. She has been a great help this year, and I know the kids appreciate her as much as I do. She brought cookies today, which brought out even more appreciation.
We tackled area of triangles today in math. Our homework didn't reflect that, only because I don't think they quite grasp it on their own. Right triangles were easy to understand. Obtuse triangles were the toughest to grasp. We'll get back at it tomorrow, and three more times next week.
We reviewed the digestive system in science and then jumped back to the nervous system. Eye sight was the major topic, continuing our understanding of how our brain sends and receives signals. We discovered our blind spot and looked at some illusions. Our Q & A sessions for every topic are so long, I just want to hug them all for their curiosity. And I don't hug.
I'm hoping we get to some Jeopardy for review of major 4th and 5th grade topics tomorrow. If not, there is always next week.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
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