Friday, September 28, 2007

Upcoming:

Sunday 9/30 - Panther Picnic, starting at 11:30

Tuesday 10/2 - Back to School Night for 6S

Notes:

The day was too short today. Nevertheless, I was really excited by the work students are doing with their writing. Everyone has chosen really meaty things about which to write and is committed to doing good work. Way to go 6S! I'm excited about the discussion we'll have about sustainability next week.

Have a great weekend!

Jokes:

Q. What did the snail say when he hitched a ride on the turtle?
A. Wheeeee!!!!!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

news and notes 9/26/07

Upcoming Events:

Sept 30 - Panther Picnic
Oct 2 - 6S Back to School Night @6:30 in Room 8


Notes:

You guys were great today. Rockstars, I dare say.

Joke of the Day:

"Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his employees.
"Yes, sir," the clerk replied.
"That's good," the boss said. "After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she stopped in to see you."

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

news and notes 9/25/07

Upcoming Events:

Sept 30 - Panther Picnic
Oct 2 - 6S Back to School Night @6:30 in Room 8


Notes:

I gave the students a little news about farm related events. There's a harvest festival at Full Belly Farm (our CSA farm) on October 7th. You can find out more about it at hoesdown.org.

Gloria and Steven are having a potluck the last weekend of October at Live Power. If you plan to attend call or email them. You can find out there contact info at their website.

Thanks for a great day 6s. You guys and gals are troopers!

Witticism of the Day:

A little learning is a dangerous thing, but a lot of ignorance is just as bad.
- Bob Edwards

Monday, September 24, 2007

news and notes 9/24/07

Homework:

I am hoping to begin posting homework on the blog next week. I'll need all students to help our homework poster to write the homework up on the board when that happens

Notes:

As you probably already know the farm trip was wonderful. Sure there were things that weren't that fun, like the rain or picking and scrubbing potatoes, but we got to do a number of amazing things. We helped Gloria and Stephen to build the walls of building that will house future visitors to the farm; we milked a cow; we cooked for each other; we cared for each other. I value the farm trip because I get to know my students in a totally different way than I do in the classroom. Who knew, for example, the 6S was a class full of hams (their teacher might be the worst offender)? So many singers, dancers, songsmiths and jokesters.

It's difficult getting back into the groove of school after a trip like that. That was clear to me at the end of the school day. I felt more tired than usual and the classroom was the messiest it's been all year. Let's try to remember that we've got to back into the routines of school.

Reminder:

Dirty spoons in the sink = no hot chocolate. Please clean 'em up.

Joke:

TEACHER: Why are you late, Frank?
FRANK: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
FRANK: The one that says, "School Ahead, Go Slow."

Monday, September 17, 2007

news and notes 9/17/07

And we're off...

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

news 9/14/07

Upcoming Events:
Sept 18-21 - Live Power Community Farm Trip
Sept 23 - Art Building Celebration
Sept 30 - Panther Picnic

As requested:
6S Farm Packing List

• Please label all clothing and equipment with child’s name.
• Pack all clothing and personal belongings in one bag if possible. Pack sleeping bags, pads etc. in another. Kids can take pillows in the car with them for the drive. Bring everything for the car ride to and from the farm in a small day pack which will stay in the car.
• Pack sturdy old clothes for farm work, and a change for each day in case of wet weather.
• Be prepared for both hot and cool weather. It may be hot during the day but will definitely be cool in the evenings and at night.
• Nights WILL be cold so pack warm pajamas or sweats for sleeping, warm socks, and a warm blanket as well as a sleeping bag & pad. A hooded fleece is ideal for sleeping as so much heat is lost through the head.

Clothing & personal effects:

o RUBBER BOOTS!!! (These are available at OSH, and sometimes Payless or Long’s. We also have some to lend.)
o Water bottle with a shoulder or waist strap – very important.
o Work gloves – very important.
o Sturdy shoes
o Slippers or non-slip socks for indoors.
o Jeans or overalls
o Shorts
o Shirts – both long & short sleeved
o Several changes of socks & underwear.
o Rain poncho or jacket with hood. (Simple rain ponchos are available at Target for around $2.)
o Warm jacket
o Warm sweaters or fleece.
o Warm hat, scarf & gloves.
o Sun hat, sunscreen & bandanna.
o Swimsuit.
o Towel & wash bag with basic toiletries.
o Plastic bags for wet & dirty clothes.
o Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries.


Camping Equipment:
o Warm sleeping bag & pillow
o Sleeping pad.
o Plate, cup, bowl, cloth napkin, labeled in a ditty bag.

Other items:
o Writing notebook & pencils/pens – essential!!!
o Independent reading book
o Disposable camera (optional)
o Binoculars, bird-watching books, drawing materials, etc (optional)
o Daypack with picnic lunch, drinks & snacks for the car-ride, money for lunch at Bluebird Cafe on return drive (about $15 - $20).
o Large black trash bag for bringing wet clothes home! I also recommend that you pack underwear, toiletries, flashlight & batteries etc. in separate ziplok bags.


Notes:
We are in the home stretch, just a few short days before we depart for our farm trip. Today we watched The Real Dirt on Farmer John, the story of a family farmer in Illinois. While the history of his farm is quite different than Live Power, I think it gave the kids some insight into the difficulties and beauty of working the land. If you'd like to find out more about Farmer John, he's got a website: www.angelicorganics.com. There's even a song about bees written by John and his girlfriend. Check it out.

Witticism of the Day:
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone."

news and notes 9/12/07

Upcoming Events:

Sept 18-21 - Live Power Community Farm Trip
Sept 23 - Art Building Celebration
Sept 30 - Panther Picnic

Notes:

Tomorrow we are starting to do some serious farm preparations. Jonathan and I are thinking about songs to sing. We'll be putting up tents and talking more about the trip. Yahoo!!

Jokes:

Q. Why do bakers work so hard?
A. Because they need the dough.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

news and notes 9/11/07

Notes:

Today's note will brief even though I have a lot to say. Our trip to Slide Ranch was outstanding! Not only did the students get to put a face and a place to the idea of "sustainability," they also got to spend the day with friends, new and old, from the other 6th grade homerooms. I hope that this created a greater sense of community for all the students and that they will give you a report tonight on milking goats and feeding chickens.

Joke of the Day:

Q: What do you get if you put a 20 ducks in a box?
A: A box of Quakers

Friday, September 07, 2007

news and notes 9/6/07

Homework:

I will start posting homework in about 3 weeks, to give students a chance to get used to using their planners and keeping track of their homework using that organizational system.

Notes:
Today it seemed like we were all runnng out of steam. It's hard to get used to waking up early, doing homework each night, and not being able to nap during the day. I'm speaking for myself of course. Anyway, I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Joke:

What do you call cheese that's not yours?

Nacho cheese!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

news and notes 9/5/07

Homework:

I will start posting homework in about 3 weeks, to give students a chance to get used to using their planners and keeping track of their homework using that organizational system.

Notes:

Today felt like the first real day of school. Students are beginning to shed some of the worry and uncertainty of being in a new school or classroom, and are beginning to consider 6S their own. We are beginning to make plans to decorate the room and get a class pet!! Very exciting.

Please send me jokes and pictures. Thanks!

Joke:

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

The interrupting cow.

The inter -

Moo!