Happy birthday to me.

What a terrific day! Thanks to all of you for helping make my birthday a truly special one. In particular, the collective quest to lure author Kate DiCamillo to Shorecrest for a visit moved me. What a fantastic idea! I so enjoyed reading all of the students' persuasive letters, particularly because their words reveal to me that they are making a connection between what we read and their own reading and writing. What a treat. And special as well were the letters from my colleagues at Shorecrest. I am touched that so many took the time to send such kind thoughts my way. In addition to this gift, I so enjoyed receiving lunch (what a luxury) and sharing gelato with the class in the afternoon. The class gift (as if all of this was not enough) of the gift card to Bella Brava and my choice of symphony tickets--well, wow. While I am not sure that all that was lavished upon me is deserved, it most certainly is appreciated. Thanks to everyone!

Last week, to aid in the understanding and recall of information regarding Jamestown and the growing colony of Virginia, students participated in an activity using the clickers. Students used hand-held remotes to answer various questions projected from the computer about Jamestown. Students are able to answer each question anonymously, after which collective correct and incorrect answers were displayed so that students may get a sense of the groups' understanding. The activity was engaging and certainly supported student understanding. The next time we use the clickers--most likely as we learn about the Pilgrims--students will compose the questions, including the correct and incorrect answers that will become the answer choices for each query.

Students are working diligently to complete their electricity projects this week. Last week, students gave life to their storyboard sketches by taking photographs of each step of the processes they intend to teach. After taking their photos, students uploaded their photos to iPhoto and did some basic editing. After selecting their best photos illustrating each step in their processes, students renamed their photos and uploaded them to their Voice Threads. This week, students will finish writing the text to accompany each slide and make voice recordings of their scripts. Once their Voice Threads are completed I will publish the links.

We continue to work to improve our conversations with our partners in reading workshop. While reading, students are expected to record their thoughts on Post-its. When talking with their partners, students are then able to use their Post-its to help guide their conversations. Last week we placed blank Post-its in our books prior to reading. Students are then prompted to record their thinking in writing when they encounter the strategically placed papers.

Using these notes to initiate and guide conversations is a terrific way for burgeoning readers to support discussions about books. And rather than simply reading their notes to one another, students are being encouraged to stop and talk about one another's thoughts. In this way, discussions dig deeper and reflect more closely how we really talk about books that we enjoy. On this we will continue to work all year.



Our trip to last Friday's grand opening festivities at the new athletic center was fantastic. Students were in awe of the new building; their first look at the mammoth lightning bolt donning the ceiling of the athletic center lobby inspired oohs and ahs all around. As we entered the main gymnasium and sat in the bleachers, students could be overheard imagining all of the ways in which they will enjoy and use the building, in p.e., intramurals and, eventually, as members of Shorecrest's athletic teams.

We were all so proud of Asher for speaking eloquently and confidently as a representative of the entire Lower Division about what the new athletic center means to him. Asher also helped describe the contents of the time capsule, contributed by each grade level across all divisions. The fourth grade teachers thought it fitting to add a p.e. uniform and bag since the rite of passage into changing into p.e. clothes begins in fourth grade. Two photos of the whole class were added as companions to the bag; one is posted here. We imagine that in ten years when the time capsule is recovered, students will look back at the photos with matching smiles.

Because a number of students have been coming to school with incomplete homework, we spoke last week as a class about the importance of fulfilling our academic obligations. Without a doubt, homework is a part of life in school. There will likely be times when students feel that they do not have time to complete their homework at night. I understand--running out of time in the day happens to all of us. However, this does not mean that we are not responsible for meeting expectations. If there is an occasion on which a student is unable to complete homework, that student will still be held accountable for completing it during recess. It happens--we adjust and move on. Students are always allowed to have recess after completing their work and sitting out for a bit.

On that note, if your child has a afternoon/evening during which s/he is particularly overextended, please contact me via email. Your child and I can then make arrangements to adjust the schedule accordingly. As an example, the student may complete more reading one night in order to do less on another. Thank you for your support!

Upcoming important events:
October 25: author celebration, 8:30 a.m.
October 28: costume parade and Fall Festival (10:00 a.m. dismissal)
November 7: no school
November 11: Poetry in the Park
November 21 - 25: Thanksgiving break