Hello,
Our field trip to the cemetery went well. It was a little chilly, but it kept the kids moving. They did a good job of showing respect and doing their jobs of collecting data. We will graph and plot some of that data next week. A big thank you goes to Mrs. Engstrom for chaperoning. The students were pretty much self sufficient in the cemetery, but during the lunch at the mall and the walks to and from, the extra adult was essential. Whenever we go on these trips with just one or two other classes it is easy to compare and contrast the classes. I was proud of the way our kids handled themselves.
We made it back in time for art class, a spelling test, one skit and a field trip Q&A recap. I felt like going to sleep for the rest of the day. I still do. I think it is the combination of four hours outside in the cold and then coming into the warm school, as well as staying up late watching the World Series. All's well that ends well.
No homework made for an easy Movie Club tonight.
I hope this rain doesn't last and the trick or treating goes well.
Have a great night,
Mr. Shea
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Halloween field trip tomorrow
Hello,
We have big plans tomorrow to keep the kids motivated. We will be doing a series of activities in a nearby cemetery including: collecting data on ages of headstones, collecting data on the ages of the deceased, using map skills to decode a message, answering questions about Joshua Chamberlain (based on info at his grave site), rating the weathering of different types of stones, and using the setting or the information gathered to inspire us to write fiction, historical fiction or free verse poetry. We will be covering many subjects, just like a regular school day. The biggest change will be the outdoor environment.
I recommend bringing a cold lunch (or getting a bag lunch from our cafeteria.) I heard from a couple of sources that Danny's Hotdogs and other fast food eateries downtown are closed for the season. While Wild Oats is an option, due to time and space restraints, I'm hoping that we only have a small group of kids who need to grab something.
Please dress warmly. It is always easier to take off a layer than it is to materialize one from nothing.
In an attempt to limit the homework on Halloween, our spelling test will be tomorrow upon return.
We also will be putting on two short skits that the students rehearsed today. One is based on Halloween, one is based on Election Day. It should be a fun day.
We were treated to Mrs. Palopoli's germ trays this afternoon. Her class swabbed different areas of the school with cotton swabs and then wiped them on several germ plates. In a very unofficial experiment, the tops of desks, computer keyboards and cafeteria tables were found to be the most "germy." Water fountain handles, soap dispensers and stairwell hand rails were less so. The results, which were gross to look at, are a good reminder to wash our hands before we eat.
How much more is 529 x 100 than 529 x 99? No one could answer that in my math class today. I'm still finding holes in their knowledge. They should know that 100 groups of 529 is 529 more than 99 groups of 529. These gaps are difficult to find because the kids are very good at detecting patterns and "jumping on" someone else's knowledge. When no one in the class can get them started, or when they are alone taking a test, it is much easier to truly see where they stand. As one child recently said, "Why do you ask us if we understand, when you know that we are going to say yes either way?"
I replied, "That's a great question. I guess that I'm hoping that one day someone who doesn't know will be honest with themselves, and me, and say, "No, I don't." It has happened, you know."
I guess their "yesses" give me permission to move on a bit, even when I know not everyone is being truthful. It is very difficult being a teacher AND a detective.
We will have movie club tomorrow. I think attendance will be low, but I'll be here just the same. Maybe I'll get some one on one time in.
Have a great night. Go Sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Shea
We have big plans tomorrow to keep the kids motivated. We will be doing a series of activities in a nearby cemetery including: collecting data on ages of headstones, collecting data on the ages of the deceased, using map skills to decode a message, answering questions about Joshua Chamberlain (based on info at his grave site), rating the weathering of different types of stones, and using the setting or the information gathered to inspire us to write fiction, historical fiction or free verse poetry. We will be covering many subjects, just like a regular school day. The biggest change will be the outdoor environment.
I recommend bringing a cold lunch (or getting a bag lunch from our cafeteria.) I heard from a couple of sources that Danny's Hotdogs and other fast food eateries downtown are closed for the season. While Wild Oats is an option, due to time and space restraints, I'm hoping that we only have a small group of kids who need to grab something.
Please dress warmly. It is always easier to take off a layer than it is to materialize one from nothing.
In an attempt to limit the homework on Halloween, our spelling test will be tomorrow upon return.
We also will be putting on two short skits that the students rehearsed today. One is based on Halloween, one is based on Election Day. It should be a fun day.
We were treated to Mrs. Palopoli's germ trays this afternoon. Her class swabbed different areas of the school with cotton swabs and then wiped them on several germ plates. In a very unofficial experiment, the tops of desks, computer keyboards and cafeteria tables were found to be the most "germy." Water fountain handles, soap dispensers and stairwell hand rails were less so. The results, which were gross to look at, are a good reminder to wash our hands before we eat.
How much more is 529 x 100 than 529 x 99? No one could answer that in my math class today. I'm still finding holes in their knowledge. They should know that 100 groups of 529 is 529 more than 99 groups of 529. These gaps are difficult to find because the kids are very good at detecting patterns and "jumping on" someone else's knowledge. When no one in the class can get them started, or when they are alone taking a test, it is much easier to truly see where they stand. As one child recently said, "Why do you ask us if we understand, when you know that we are going to say yes either way?"
I replied, "That's a great question. I guess that I'm hoping that one day someone who doesn't know will be honest with themselves, and me, and say, "No, I don't." It has happened, you know."
I guess their "yesses" give me permission to move on a bit, even when I know not everyone is being truthful. It is very difficult being a teacher AND a detective.
We will have movie club tomorrow. I think attendance will be low, but I'll be here just the same. Maybe I'll get some one on one time in.
Have a great night. Go Sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Wax museum a big hit!
Hello,
The students that took part in today's wax museum did a tremendous job. They knew their characters thoroughly. In the Q&A afterwards, they were able to give even more information. I can't praise them enough. A+ all the way around.
Some of the skits left a little to be desired. It was difficult to ascertain whether some kids had read the books or were just acting out the front covers. I'll ask some more questions tomorrow, but it was an unfortunate contrast with the wax museum.
In math we are multiplying by multiples of ten. (93 x 100, 300 x 40, 900 x 2000, etc.) The homework will be getting difficult very quickly without grasping these more basic concepts.
Our election results are in. Our second congress has met for the first time and has already passed a bill. I am still thinking about whether or not to sign it into law. In the next election, we'll have a presidential election. I need to set a good example before handing over the reins to a student. I may sit on this one for a while.
The end of the day snuck up on me today, so it became to late to assign any homework outside of the regular reading and math. I don't like to shout it out with only a minute to get ready to leave. The kids were happy. I messed up. It happens from time to time.
Sox won. I'm going to bed early tonight.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
The students that took part in today's wax museum did a tremendous job. They knew their characters thoroughly. In the Q&A afterwards, they were able to give even more information. I can't praise them enough. A+ all the way around.
Some of the skits left a little to be desired. It was difficult to ascertain whether some kids had read the books or were just acting out the front covers. I'll ask some more questions tomorrow, but it was an unfortunate contrast with the wax museum.
In math we are multiplying by multiples of ten. (93 x 100, 300 x 40, 900 x 2000, etc.) The homework will be getting difficult very quickly without grasping these more basic concepts.
Our election results are in. Our second congress has met for the first time and has already passed a bill. I am still thinking about whether or not to sign it into law. In the next election, we'll have a presidential election. I need to set a good example before handing over the reins to a student. I may sit on this one for a while.
The end of the day snuck up on me today, so it became to late to assign any homework outside of the regular reading and math. I don't like to shout it out with only a minute to get ready to leave. The kids were happy. I messed up. It happens from time to time.
Sox won. I'm going to bed early tonight.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Monday, October 28, 2013
Red Sox Fever
Hello,
I've caught the fever. I've grown the beard. I'll be up late tonight. I spent more time in the class on Sunday than usual to be prepared for my feverish state.
We started the day with a fire / bus evacuation drill. The kids went performed the usual fire drill, but then boarded buses as if it were an actual evacuation as well. The bus drivers instruct them on bus emergency safety and also on what would happen during a regular evacuation. We wrapped all this up in time for our first recess of the day.
Last week's math challenge to my math class was to order exactly $250.00 worth of books from the current book order without purchasing multiple copies of any one book. The idea was to get them to add up a long string of numbers. I was extremely disappointed during my correcting yesterday that zero students were able to complete the challenge successfully. Zero! They have the same challenge tonight, due tomorrow. Weekly challenges are supposed to be challenging, and in general I am more concerned with effort than I am with the correct answer. In this challenge, however, a good amount of effort should have resulted in a correct answer. I was flabbergasted that no one was able to pull it off. I hope tonight's effort will yield better results.
I've caught the fever. I've grown the beard. I'll be up late tonight. I spent more time in the class on Sunday than usual to be prepared for my feverish state.
We started the day with a fire / bus evacuation drill. The kids went performed the usual fire drill, but then boarded buses as if it were an actual evacuation as well. The bus drivers instruct them on bus emergency safety and also on what would happen during a regular evacuation. We wrapped all this up in time for our first recess of the day.
Last week's math challenge to my math class was to order exactly $250.00 worth of books from the current book order without purchasing multiple copies of any one book. The idea was to get them to add up a long string of numbers. I was extremely disappointed during my correcting yesterday that zero students were able to complete the challenge successfully. Zero! They have the same challenge tonight, due tomorrow. Weekly challenges are supposed to be challenging, and in general I am more concerned with effort than I am with the correct answer. In this challenge, however, a good amount of effort should have resulted in a correct answer. I was flabbergasted that no one was able to pull it off. I hope tonight's effort will yield better results.
The teacher
reserves the right to have made a mistake in the correction process. No one should be offended if he did make said
mistake.
Historical fiction projects are due tomorrow. Book reports, posters, skits and a wax museum should all come together. What is going on with my font? This isn't right.
We should be wrapping up our chemistry unit this weekend. I'll be tying up some loose ends and reviewing what we should have learned. We'll be revisiting chemistry a lot this year, especially in our studies of astronomy and the human body.
Students learned about the books in the Maine Student Book Award Program at their library session this afternoon. I saw a lot of kids excited about books as I retrieved them, which always puts a smile on my face.
Three students still need a permission slip for our Halloween field trip on Thursday. I gave out new slips tonight. Does anyone know if Danny's Hotdogs or any other vendors are still on the mall. We'll be eating lunch down there barring any bad weather. Thanks for letting me know if you know. I'll get back to you tomorrow on that. It might be easier than packing a lunch.
Elections were held today for our new congress. We heard a few speeches. A lot of talk centered around whether previously holding office was a good thing or a bad thing. Incumbents touted their experience while challengers talked about new ideas. Results for the senate were in, but the house votes were not fully tallied by the time this blog went to print. Did your child run? Did they speak in front of the class? Why or why not?
Have a great night,
Mr. Shea
Sorry, but I never did figure out the size and font thing. This blog doesn't give me a regular word document menu.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
World Series post
Hello,
I was impressed with the A to Z foods that everyone was able to come up with. Well done by all. I think the kids liked the assignment. Many sought parent help. Many went online. We had fun with it.
Our legislators met this afternoon. Most of them seem out of ideas for how to make the class run more smoothly. I'll take that as a compliment. However, they might have trouble during their reelection campaigns, being out of ideas so soon. New elections will happen next week. Is your child interested in running?
We went over some different types of government today. Ask your child if they know what an oligarchy is. They should. I took a page out of Teach Like A Pirate and tried to teach it in a memorable way which involved a lot of movement on their parts. We covered three forms of totalitarian governments: monarchy, dictatorship and oligarchy. I think they enjoyed our dictator a little too much, but I think they got the point. We also talked about direct democracies and indirect democracies. Our republic is an indirect democracy because we elect representatives to make governmental decisions for us. We began our learning of government last year and it is nice to take them to the next level of understanding.
The fifth grade has had a lot of trouble walking from lunch in a civilized manner. Part of the homework tonight is for the class to come up with suggestions on how we can improve this. I don't think our class is a major part of the problem, but we can definitely do better. I'm just hoping a huge consequence doesn't come down for the whole grade, but rather targets the major offenders. Our homework is an attempt to ward off the giant consequence for all.
Our lunch buddies this year will come from Mrs. Vallella's third grade class. Students from both classes will be paired up to eat together once a month during the year. We'll meet our buddies on Friday for twenty minutes before going to lunch with them. Throughout the school 3rd grade and 5th are matched up, and 2nd and 4th. Be sure to ask your child how it went.
Our 5th grade pot luck is tomorrow night. I need to put it on the calendar above. I will. I think tonight may be the first night that a reminder didn't go home this week. So here I am. Any students staying after school for homework club are certainly welcome to stay through to 6:00 for the dinner. We will march down at 6:00.
Have a great night. Go Sox.
Mr. Shea
I was impressed with the A to Z foods that everyone was able to come up with. Well done by all. I think the kids liked the assignment. Many sought parent help. Many went online. We had fun with it.
Our legislators met this afternoon. Most of them seem out of ideas for how to make the class run more smoothly. I'll take that as a compliment. However, they might have trouble during their reelection campaigns, being out of ideas so soon. New elections will happen next week. Is your child interested in running?
We went over some different types of government today. Ask your child if they know what an oligarchy is. They should. I took a page out of Teach Like A Pirate and tried to teach it in a memorable way which involved a lot of movement on their parts. We covered three forms of totalitarian governments: monarchy, dictatorship and oligarchy. I think they enjoyed our dictator a little too much, but I think they got the point. We also talked about direct democracies and indirect democracies. Our republic is an indirect democracy because we elect representatives to make governmental decisions for us. We began our learning of government last year and it is nice to take them to the next level of understanding.
The fifth grade has had a lot of trouble walking from lunch in a civilized manner. Part of the homework tonight is for the class to come up with suggestions on how we can improve this. I don't think our class is a major part of the problem, but we can definitely do better. I'm just hoping a huge consequence doesn't come down for the whole grade, but rather targets the major offenders. Our homework is an attempt to ward off the giant consequence for all.
Our lunch buddies this year will come from Mrs. Vallella's third grade class. Students from both classes will be paired up to eat together once a month during the year. We'll meet our buddies on Friday for twenty minutes before going to lunch with them. Throughout the school 3rd grade and 5th are matched up, and 2nd and 4th. Be sure to ask your child how it went.
Our 5th grade pot luck is tomorrow night. I need to put it on the calendar above. I will. I think tonight may be the first night that a reminder didn't go home this week. So here I am. Any students staying after school for homework club are certainly welcome to stay through to 6:00 for the dinner. We will march down at 6:00.
Have a great night. Go Sox.
Mr. Shea
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
short post
Hello,
We started work on our historical fiction projects today. Some are doing posters, some skits, some will be wax statues (or automatons) of their main character. Ask your child about their story and what they plan to do to help "market" the book.
I've been moving around the equals sign in my math class and it is messing people up. Somehow 55-___= 37 is a lot easier than 37 = 55 - ___. We'll get it.
I'm seeing a lot of improvement in the Rocket Math addition. Nice job folks.
I'm sorry to cut this short, (not due to frustration tonight) but I volunteered to help stuff backpacks with food for the less fortunate. I hate to admit that I've done very little volunteering in my life, so I thought it would be good to get the ball rolling. I have to admit that the tragic death of Philip Gary has got me thinking about doing more and being more of a contributor to our society. Thanks Mr. Gary.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
We started work on our historical fiction projects today. Some are doing posters, some skits, some will be wax statues (or automatons) of their main character. Ask your child about their story and what they plan to do to help "market" the book.
I've been moving around the equals sign in my math class and it is messing people up. Somehow 55-___= 37 is a lot easier than 37 = 55 - ___. We'll get it.
I'm seeing a lot of improvement in the Rocket Math addition. Nice job folks.
I'm sorry to cut this short, (not due to frustration tonight) but I volunteered to help stuff backpacks with food for the less fortunate. I hate to admit that I've done very little volunteering in my life, so I thought it would be good to get the ball rolling. I have to admit that the tragic death of Philip Gary has got me thinking about doing more and being more of a contributor to our society. Thanks Mr. Gary.
Have a good night.
Mr. Shea
Monday, October 21, 2013
power vs. authority
Hello,
In our ongoing talk about the government, we talked about power and authority. Do you know the difference. Your child will be writing tonight on whether or not they would like to hold a position of authority. I hope they can come up with some good reasons on why or why not they feel the way they do.
Earlier in the month I had written to our congressional representatives regarding the closing of national parks during the government shutdown. I thought this would be a good way to show the class that our representatives and senators represent the people of Maine, so we need to make them aware of our opinions. My opinion was that the parks should be opened. The parks belong to all of us and I don't think that they should be used as a negotiation piece by either political party. I showed the class the responses that I received from our senators, Angus King and Susan Collins, and from our representative, Chellie Pingree. The responses varied a great deal, and it was interesting to see their different perspectives. (Independent, Republican and Democrat) I hope to set the example that a silent public is a public deserves what it gets. That came off a little more negative than I would have liked, but I don't have the time to reword it.
I was pleased to receive many Andy Goldsworthy like works of art. Here are a few:
Did that work? I don't see the pics. Okay, I'm done. My patience is gone. I don't know what the problem is. Now it seems that enter isn't working. I think I over ran my blog space. Good night.
In our ongoing talk about the government, we talked about power and authority. Do you know the difference. Your child will be writing tonight on whether or not they would like to hold a position of authority. I hope they can come up with some good reasons on why or why not they feel the way they do.
Earlier in the month I had written to our congressional representatives regarding the closing of national parks during the government shutdown. I thought this would be a good way to show the class that our representatives and senators represent the people of Maine, so we need to make them aware of our opinions. My opinion was that the parks should be opened. The parks belong to all of us and I don't think that they should be used as a negotiation piece by either political party. I showed the class the responses that I received from our senators, Angus King and Susan Collins, and from our representative, Chellie Pingree. The responses varied a great deal, and it was interesting to see their different perspectives. (Independent, Republican and Democrat) I hope to set the example that a silent public is a public deserves what it gets. That came off a little more negative than I would have liked, but I don't have the time to reword it.
I was pleased to receive many Andy Goldsworthy like works of art. Here are a few:
Did that work? I don't see the pics. Okay, I'm done. My patience is gone. I don't know what the problem is. Now it seems that enter isn't working. I think I over ran my blog space. Good night.
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