What is "Kind?"

As we begin our study of culture and social justice in social studies class, one of the topics of discussion is how community is formed, and the workings of kindness and civility within a society (such as the classroom). One of the ways to explore the subject of being kind is for students to role play various situations where a kind response can help someone in some way. Walking through the motions of stopping and helping another person in need gives our brains another way to learn this concept... and so, although the pictures are not very good, here are some images of 6th graders demonstrating such behaviors as helping someone pick up books that have been dropped, intervening when someone has been bullied, encouraging a friend who is sad...

Archimedes and Thales

Archimedes and Thales were Greek mathematicians. Math students are asked to learn about their respective mathematician by visiting these websites: Thales Archimedes

Website Check In Assignment

Congratulations! You have completed your "website check-in" assignment. To receive credit for this assignment, record the following information: What is this a picture of?

How Our Days Begin

We first come together each day, out in the parking lot where students gather waiting for the opening of our school day. It is a time when we first get to check in with students and see how everyone is doing. The lines form, and we head inside to start the work of our day, but just for a few minutes, we see one another, and take a few minutes to smile and say, "Hi."

All We Need Is Kids!

I've been working, and the classroom is all neat and tidy and ready to go.

It probably won't ever look this "neat" again this year. Once we get going, we will, inevitably, make our mark on it -- and that is a good thing.

Everything is waiting. There is a sense of expectancy. All that is needed for this to all come to life, is the addition of kids. I can't wait!

New Atlases

We have brand new, wonderful, National Geographic World Atlases -- designed specifically for use by students. They are really fun and will be a great resource. Along with the atlases, themselves, there is also access to this National Geographic website. It has lots of great information and fun things to do. Check it out.

Getting Ready for a New Year

I have been working to begin preparing the classroom for the start of the school year. Room 204 is beginning to take shape: the bulletin boards are up, and the desks are all arranged. I have new student "mailboxes" that look great. I've got some "name statistics" pages -- one for each student -- that I'll get hung up in the next couple of days. Probably tomorrow, I'll begin working to set out the textbooks for my classes. There's a lot to do, but I am excited about starting a new year. I am looking forward to getting to really know this new group of 6th grade students. I've talked with so many of these students in the halls and on the playground, but now we get to really learn about one another, and begin a year of growth and learning. I am anxious to get going.