Third Graders, Dreaming Big

This is the one time per year when I do not write a newsletter.

Instead?  I slept late-ish (is 7:15 late??), played on the computer, and went to Carson’s lacrosse game, where they won!!!  I ended the traffic-laden day with my 90-year-old mother-in-law, who was excited to see all of us….  And tonight? More time on the computer looking at all the photos I’ve snapped this weekend…. If I can stay awake, I’ll go All Out and watch the News!

Sunday nights are always full and tonight is no exception!!

What’s To Come:

If you are able to drive for an upcoming field trip (JUNE 8!!!!!), please let me know.  Our trip to Aptuxcet  scheduled for tomorrow, has been cancelled ;(.

Homework this week is individualized, depending on student participation during classwork time.  What does that mean???  Good question!  You will receive a separate letter that explains the way that homework “works” this week!

As always, questions are welcome!!

Stand Tall,

Mrs. Brooks

Created using Stationery Studio by FableVision

This week, instead of Schoolhouse Rock!, I decided on a little Sesame Street!

Over vacation, my sister Robyn (a preschool and ballet teacher) and I talked about a class she took.  The question posed of all participants was: What inspires you?  We talked about how we have the inclination to throw out the usual answers – our children, our students, music, etc…  But the answers we talked about didn’t seem specific enough….

Specifically, what is it about our family, or our students, or anything else that inspires us?  What is it that inspires people to run a marathon, to fight an illness, to create a masterpiece, to overcome adversity in life? The answer is different for each individual.

Even more important, what inspires our children?  In the “Self-Esteem Pie”, I believe inspiration is one of the necessary slices.  Feeling inspired is motivating, it cultivates creativity, and it is a very powerful feeling for children.

For example, Kendyl is  currently inspired by everything having to do with The Beatles.  Her inspiration reaches far beyond the band itself to include topics such as England, Germany, the BBC, guitars, poetry, the 1960’s, etc…  Her confidence level soars when she can make connections to that which inspires her.

So, what inspires you?  What inspires your child? Spend some time talking about it… you’ll be glad you did!

What’s to Come:

Please don’t make me write June dates on our calendar!! I love your children this time of year, but looking at June on the calendar makes me very sad.

  Today, my friend Jerry Blumengarten visited our classroom (see pics below). He shared his enthusiasm for writing with my little friends in Room 204 and I felt so proud, having him visit.  Talk about exciting!! Check out “CybraryMan” online, and see what all the inspiration is about!

Stand Tall,

Mrs. Brooks

One of my VERY favorites.  I think you people are ready!

Homework?? Ugh.  Yes, there’s homework:

Here are some pics from this morning’s author visit by Jerry Blumengarten!

Introductions

Great questions and answers by 204 Friends!

Talking about the writing process - lots of work, lots of fun!!

It was exciting to meet an online friend in person!

During computer lab today, students created a “thank you” card on Wallwisher – check it out!!

http://wallwisher.com/wall/Thanks2CybraryMan

And last, but not least – I received my first Paper Tweet, hee!!

The kids got a kick out of this

Anchors, Aweigh!!

I just returned from a week at sea. We booked a last-minute cruise out of NYC, and enjoyed a wonderful trip together as a family.  It was the first time I was completely “unplugged” in a long time.  That’s right – no cell phone, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, blog or anything!  Coming back home to a mountain of virtual tasks was overwhelming to say the least, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

During this week, I had opportunities to learn and try new things, and make connections with folks I might otherwise not have.  I was reminded of many Life Lessons during the course of the week, having nothing to do with my passion for technology.

Curling up in the sun, with a view of the ocean and a good book, is good for the soul. I read a whole book!!

Talking to people in elevators can be a whole lot more fun than pretending like we don’t even notice each other.

Asking the staff on the ship about their families back at home made their eyes shine like diamonds. Not seeing your spouse, child or grandchild for 9 months at a time can be so hard.

Juggling isn’t any easier at 43 than it was at 23 when I was forced to learn how in a teaching course. I was once again reminded that learning something new can be so frustrating. Practice makes perfect!

Taking the stairs is infinitely easier going down, than it is going up.  Similarly, a 965-foot hallway seems endless when you’re running late.

The term “Small World” comes up in conversation far more often when you reach out and talk to strangers.

Laughing out loud is more enjoyable when you laugh with someone else.

Now that I’m back on solid land, sitting at my computer? I’m off to follow my new friends on Twitter!

What’s to Come:

Students hopefully spent vacation practicing their Books for Babies!  We start recording this week! Thank you for your support!

  Wax Museum will sneak up fast – be sure to ask questions as they arise, and to plan ahead for a timely finish.

We start our final round of Book Talks this week.  Students who finish should take the extra time to work on Wax Museum or to read.

Laugh Out Loud,

Mrs. Brooks

Kendyl & I with our favorite boat-mates!

This week? Electricity, Electricity!!

Our old friend, Kermit the Frog says:  “Green’s the color of spring.  And green can be cool and friendly-like.  And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree”.   While he was talking about the color of his skin, I think it can relate to the more global, timely topics of reducing, reusing and recycling.
It seems everywhere we turn, there are messages reminding us to behave in ways that conserve our valuable resources. Some measures we take are easy – putting water bottles and paper in the recycle bin, and using lunch boxes instead of paper bags.

But some forward-thinking ideas are harder to adopt. In 2006, I purchased my first re-useable shopping bags.  I had seen them many times in the stores, but have never taken the plunge.  It took seeing my then-65 year-old dad carrying in his groceries (in Green bags, of course) for me to get the motivation I needed.  So, now I am the proud owner of 1 enormous IKEA bag, and too many “green” grocery bags.  The challenge has lied in where to keep the darn things, so I will actually USE them AT THE STORE!  Not much luck, yet!!!

Whether your goal is to reduce water usage, or to recycle more, good luck in your journey. Changing habits of living is not easy!

Mullen is in Year 3 of our Go Green email list. By choosing to receive your M-H notices via email, we can save lots of paper copies. Haven’t signed up yet?  Send me your email and I’ll get you on the list!

Join us in our baby steps to make life greener!

What’s to Come:

Short week this week – no school on Friday!

Paperwork for the Living Wax Museum came home last week. PLEASE review everything and start asking questions now, so that this project is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for May 30^th, as that is the BIG NIGHT!! Requirements will be posted on the blog if you need to reference them.

Have a WONDERFUL vacation next week!

Dream Big,

Mrs. Brooks