First Day!

Convocation 2013! - Click for gallery

Welcome back!  There is nothing better than having the school filled with students once again - the energy and excitement of learning bubbles throughout the campus.  Like the kids, I am very excited to start a new year.  I have some new ideas, as well as some tried and true ones, that I hope will motivate your children to write and read well.  Most significantly, I believe that teaching composition and literature together is a natural fit and will strengthen communication and critical thinking skills.  We will read many books, write everyday, read like writers, and write like readers.

We began the year with a community building activity.  Students were given Play-Doh and pipe cleaners and asked to create an object that represented themselves.  Once it was constructed, they had to share it with the class and explain its significance.  I admired their creativity and thoughtfulness. Finally, students completed a written reflection regarding today's activity.  Reflective writing is arguably the most important process due to its metacognitive nature.  Students had to think about their thinking! It was a great day, albeit an exhausting one, and I cannot wait until tomorrow!

Bittersweet Goodbyes

Just Hangin' Out - Click for photo gallery

Rather than write a long-winded post, I thought I would leave you with these photos from our picnic at Virmond Park.  They seem to say it all!  I am very lucky to have spent the year with such an amazing group of kids.  Have a safe and relaxing summer!

Original Myths

Students Present Original Myths - click for gallery

Over the last two weeks, students have been presenting their original myths.  These stories represented their cumulative understanding of the elements of a myth, character and plot development, and the importance of setting.  Most importantly, the students set out to do what the Greeks had done 2700 years ago - explain natural phenomena with minimal scientific knowledge and technology.  I must say, the creativity was extraordinary.  Topics ranged from the butterfly to continental drift, and the explanations for each were equally broad.  Kids were excited to share, and it was an enjoyable and engaging experience for everyone!

Cupcakes for the Entire Sixth Grade!

We are wrapping up the Sunflower Club today.  Students are committing their last acts of kindness and writing their final posts and comments on the blog.  Maybe I am just imagining things, but I feel like there is a excitement on the third floor about doing good.  Kids are taking initiative and carefully considering what they may have overlooked before.  From cleaning up messes in the lunchroom to donating to Red Cross to completing chores without being asked, students have been taking Stargirl's mentorship to heart.   It has been a great experience for all involved.  The kids have reported that they feel good about what they are doing, and parents have been equally positive.  In fact, one mom indicated how great it was to have the coffee made in the morning!

Kindness Everywhere

Students are wrapping up their study of Jerry Spinelli's, Stargirl.  The eccentric Stargirl performs random acts of kindness every day. Whether it’s sending a card or a note or singing Happy Birthday to someone, cheering for an opponent, or helping another in need, she’s always thinking about other people and what might make them happier or feel better–whether she really knows those people or not. At the end of the book, a Sunflower Club is formed at school as a way to honor Stargirl's memory, and the members pledge to do something nice for someone else each day.

Literature students became honorary members of the Sunflower Club on Monday and assumed the duty of doing something nice for someone each day, whether they really know the person or not.  The goal of the project is to do as many creative “acts of kindness” as possible to as many different people as possible. Additionally, they are charged with keeping a reflective blog of all the things they do. On their blogs they are discussing whom they “sunflowered” and providing a short explanation of the thing that was done.  Students are also required to add a brief reflection of how it made them feel.  Because of the nature of blogging,  students are encouraged to comment on others’ blog posts with kind words and support.  The mantra of the final project of the year: Be creative. Be thoughtful. Be kind.

Over the last few days, I have seen kindness in many different forms and in many different places.  Wednesday, my advising class was ‘Sunflowered’ with balloons and Starbursts - by a student from another room!  That same day, an incredibly kind banner, espousing my abilities as a teacher, was secretly attached to my door. Thursday, I witnessed many students offering to help one another in a variety of ways. From lunch table duties to holding doors, they really began to step up. In addition, my ORB class received Tootsie Pops, students passed out kind notes to their classmates at lunch and during seventh period, and lockers were decorated up and down the halls. Today, my fourth period literature students received flowers to brighten their day.  Frankly, I love the way the whole atmosphere changes when people are doing good.  I am inspired!

Send-Offs and Appeals

As is tradition at USM, students in first through eleventh grades said their formal goodbyes to this year's graduating class.  It was a great opportunity for the school to come together as a community centered on a common activity.  While each grade had its own unique way for sending-off this year's seniors, the sixth grade imparted some tried and true advice.  Allowing every student to share wisdom would be time prohibitive, so each of the four homerooms brainstormed ideas and voted for their favorites.  Below are some of the many wonderful suggestions for what the Class of 2013 should take with them on the next stage of their journeys.  I hope this tickles your funny bone!

Don't forget to pack:

• Your blankie and teddy bear, so that you have something to hug when you miss your family
• A season of Spongebob Squarepants to teach you life lessons
• Lots of underwear, so you don't have to wash them
• Lots of Easy-Mac, because your mom won't be there to cook for you
• A snow globe to remember Wisconsin's weather
• Sunglasses to make cool first impressions
• A nightlight, because you can't run to Mom's room when you have bad dreams

Peer Conferencing - Click to view gallery

Composition students have completed their initial drafts of their persuasive arguments aimed at you!  We will be working next week to make thoughtful revisions as well as to hone some very specific writing techniques.  As a way to spotlight the persuasive genre, students listened to a read aloud of the powerful picture book, Why War is Never a Good Idea, by Alice Walker.  You may recognize her as the author of The Color Purple.  This amazing book masterfully employs emotional appeal along with plain folks and repetition, and wraps it up in a poem with incredible art.  Following a thoughtful and in-depth discussion of Walker's themes and techniques, students were asked to reflect on their writing.  How could Walker mentor their own pieces?  

After studying Greek mythology and reading (or rereading in many cases) Rick Riordan's, The Lightning Thief, students have a pretty good handle on the elements of a myth.  Of utmost importance is its unique role in explaining natural phenomena or commenting on the human condition.  For the past few weeks, the kids have been diligently writing their own original myths.   The topics range from the bumble bee to Mt. Everest (inspired by Mr. Moreno's trip?), and the methods of conveying those myths are no less diverse.  Next week, classmates can expect to see radio call-in shows, StoryJumper books, and read alouds.  I have been impressed with the students' commitment to creating a great story, and I'm excited for them to share their wonderful creations with their peers.