Monday's Mixed Bag (mystery)

Hello,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend.  Today's focus is on three things that have gone well in my classroom this year. The students are willing to go the extra mile each and every single day.

• My mystery trash item continues to get the students up and moving at the end of the day.  I heard of this genius idea, a few years ago, from another teacher.  You write a mystery item on a post-it note.  The item the students are searching for could possibly be a crumpled paper, an open drawer, a chair not pushed in properly, items on the ground such as markers, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.  Whichever student(s) find the mystery item at the end of the day, upon the big reveal, receive positive recognition.  You can also have the student take a bow.  Our classroom gets tidy, students work together, and praise is given.  What could be better?  Click here to access my freebie!
• My students have been putting so much effort into their typing skills.  Many of the students are typing so quickly!  They are working on typing stamina as well as composing digitally written pieces through Google Docs and Google Classroom.  Digital composition is a different skill that students need to be taught and given time to practice.  When they write digitally, students are exercising different parts of their brain and thinking in new and creative ways.
• I play "Stand By Me" at the end of the day and students sing along and close up for the day.   They check to see if their desks are neat, mailboxes are emptied, homework is in their backpack, etc.  It ends the day on a positive note and everyone walks out with a smile on their face!

Words and Music

Words

As I scrolled through my phone, I stumbled upon my note page and noticed a list I generated on New Year's Day about my goals for the year.  Some might call them resolutions and others might refer to the list as things they hope to accomplish. I don't usually make these lists but for some reason I did this year.  This is where I stand:

Present at a Workshop or a Writing Platform

I will be presenting at a Parent Night in my District at the end of next month.  The topic is how parents can help their child with common core work.  I am focusing on writing strategies that will support their child in the classroom.

I've been invited to do a Writing Workshop at an elementary school in the valley next month.  I was granted this opportunity through the National Writing Project.  I became a Writing Fellow through UCLA's Writing Project last summer and it was one of the best educational decisions of my life. My presentation will center on incorporating story telling into narrative writing.  I'll also discuss my scaffolded approach to writing.  This truly is an honor.

Attend Two Conferences by The End of The Year

I might be able to go to a writing conference in San Diego early next month. I'm currently waiting for confirmation.

I'm going to an RTI Conference in Milwaukee in early July.

Get a Gym Membership and Commit to Fit

Getting a gym membership is something I've wanted to do for a long time.  I finally grabbed the bull by the horns and joined a local facility. I've gone two times this week.  Once I get into a routine, I'll be fine. It's good to be back.

Keep an Active Blog

I have been trying my best to post at least once a week.  There have been some weeks where I've blogged once and others where I have blogged twice.

Continue to Write

I enjoy writing on the side when I have free time.  My favorite topics are writing about family, friends and my travels.

Music

I've been playing tons of music in the classroom this year.  We use music for our morning greet, transitions, end of the day packing up, and any other opportunity that calls for music.

Right now I have been listening to Of Monsters of Men.  They have some cool tunes!   "Mountain Sound" is my personal favorite!  I also like the song embedded below. Please try watching while keeping a straight face!  

My Favorite Song Right Now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XELFBYSG9tw

Words and Music

Are you a music fan?  Is there a certain music style or group you like?  I enjoy Bob Seger’s music immensely.  I think it’s impossible not to tap your foot to “Old Time Rock and Roll” when it is played.  It’s one of those songs you have to turn the volume up a little bit more than the norm.  I usually shake my head a few times, tap my feet and hit my knees to the beat.  The one line that always jumps out at me is: reminisce about the days of old.  I believe we all reminisce every day.  It might be a memory from years ago or something more recent. 

I’m reminiscing about this past week as I sit here hunting and pecking on the keyboard.  I’m not the fastest person on the keyboard, but I can get around and navigate at a decent speed. I’m always amazed when people type faster than an auctioneer speaks. How did they get that good?

How was your week?  Did anything exciting happen?  I got my first dose of what an ear infection feels like.  I’m not talking about an earache from a concert or loud stadium event but an authentic ear infection.  A dose of antibiotics has helped ease the pain.  My ear still has the muffled just got off an airplane feeling coupled with what seems to be water in there as well.

Did you ever see the movie “What About Bob” from years ago?  It’s kind of like Bill Murray in “What About Bob” through the eyes of Richard Dryfuss.  He was hoping Bill Murray never came back.  I felt the same about the earache as Richard Dreyfuss did about Bill Murray and I hope it never comes back.  Good riddance!

Are you a sports person? I am a sports fanatic. There were some crazy college football games on this weekend. The final four teams were announced and it looks like its ‘Bama vs. Ohio State and Florida State vs. Oregon. It should make for a great football playoff.  I feel for Baylor and TCU fans.  They played outstanding football all year long.

My wife’s Wolverines had an off year but she is still a diehard fan.   They’ll be back with a vengeance!  I guess my alma mater, Suffolk University, is still undefeated after all these years!  Ok…so we don’t have a team, but if we did, they would be awesome. Go Rams!

Right now you have college hoops & football, NFL, NBA, NHL and some of those other sports on ESPN at 3 am that I never knew existed.  For example, I saw about 18,000 people in Great Britain screaming and going nuts over a dart game last week.  No offense…I love darts… but I didn’t know that many people in one place would be so passionate. The fans were into every throw by singing chants and cheering on the players.  Hats off to them!  I’m lucky if I hit the board with all three darts.  Hitting the bulls-eye is usually a fluke for me.

We put our Christmas Tree up and we are pleased with the way it looks.  Ciaran was quite excited! There’s nothing like a kid’s excitement during the Christmas Season. His Elf on the Shelf, Oodle, has been watching quite closely. 

Until next time…

Sean