Civil Rights Movement Studied in Social Studies

My cherubs watched Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., give his "I've Got A Dream" speech on a U-Tube video clip. So, I had them design a poster that sums-up the civil rights movement. I too, have a dream, that all sixth graders realize the importance and beauty of diversity.

Finally, Pangaea!
Many groups have succeeded in completing six of the seismic powerpoints and are now learning about Alfred Wegener and the theory of Pangaea -- the super continent.

4-Sight
Mrs. Antonacci, Mrs. Pulizzi, and Mrs. Nemeth, want to do a final 4-sight testing before the PSSAs. So, Tuesday and Wednesday, will be double-academic periods. My first period will meet both first and second period on Tuesday, while my sixth period meets sixth and seventh periods on Tuesday. Second period meets first and second period on Wednesday, and 7th period meets sixth and seventh period on Wednesday.
I really like our 4-sight tests. They give us real insight on how our kiddoes are progressing. Also, I have the neatest video from National Geographic, I want to show on those two days.

Be Here on Monday
Spread the word, kids. We want you at school on Monday. Mrs. Pulizzi and Mr. Fausnaught want to thank our 6th graders for their fantastic behavior at the Frankly Ben show. No, their not planning on having me give every kid a PappaZ hug. Few, could survive that.

It Was A Good Week
Between leaving early on Monday for a doctor appointment and being out of the classroom to assist Mrs. Phillips with IEP meetings, my 6th graders have been fantastic for the substitute teachers that came in to help out. I really like this group of kids. You will be rewarded with some really neat science projects, coming up, very soon.

Girls' Night Out
Our middle school girls were invited to attend a girls-only event, tonight, at the middle school. Did you go? Wanna share your thoughts with me? I know Mrs. Smith, our school nurse, who coordinated the event, has been excited about this event. If you get a chance, next week, stop by the nurse's office to thank Mrs. Smith.

Wrapping Up Today's Blog
Good luck at Mansfield, OMers. I hope the weather cooperates with you. I know Mr. Fausnaught is going up to support you. If I did not hate driving, so much, I would go, too. I hope you OMers remember to give Mrs. Walls a gigantic hug. She is a phenomenal woman, with coordinating so many exceptional Loyalsock OM teams.

Have a great weekend, folks.

Meet the People

Teachers, staff members, students, no one was safe from the hordes of sixth graders, who, today, swarmed the halls of the middle and high school in search of victims to conduct a water know-how survey. Not only did I have my BASE class, but, I took Mrs. Antonacci's kids in this whirlwind adventure. Seems like they enjoyed the out-of-seat activity.

Willy Wetworth
I wanted to get a photograph of the Willy Wetworth Travel Guide, my BASE kids designed, but they blended in with the backdrop of the wall so much, the actual booklets were lost in the glare. Sorry. They are kinda cool, stop by my room and read them. I have them on the hallway wall, outside my classroom. Whatsa Willy Wetworth Travel Guide? Its the adventure of a water drop through the drainpipe and is part of a water conservation and protection project I am working with during the BASE period.

Anisha's Mom
Stopped in to see me, today. Anisha has been accepted, again, for a summer program at Johns Hopkins. Wow. This little girl is sharp. She is polite, warm, and a really nice kid.

Have You Thought About Summer Camp?
If you are struggling in school, perhaps, you should consider summer camp for reading and/or math. Mrs. Nemeth and Mrs. Antonacci will talk with you if they think you would benefit from the summer program.

OMers Make the News
Congrats to Loyalsock OMers that the education section of the Sun-Gazette!! I am so proud of our kids that get involved in this problem-solving activity. It takes a lot of their free time, but the rewards are well worth it. Keep chuggin', kiddoes, and good luck at competition at Mansfield on Saturday. By the way, Saturday will be an all-rain event with just a trace of snow. You should be okay for traveling.

Thanks Nick D.
I may not have said this enough to Nick, but, I am so very proud of this young man. He has turned himself around and is a pleasure to have in the classroom. He is intelligent, strives to succeed and has been helpful to me when I needed an extra hand. I think he is COOL. I mentioned that to Mr. Fausnaught, this morning, who agreed with me. Keep it up, Nick. You will do very well for yourself with this new attitude.

Have a great night folks. Dog and I are going for a nice walk, as soon as I get out of the school building.

A Rare Privilege, Indeed

While the sixth grade attended a field trip, today, I stayed behind to attend learning support meetings. In between my meetings, I filled-in for two 7th grade teachers, who also attended similar meetings. It gave me an opportunity to see what my colleagues are doing in the classroom, and boy, I gotta tell ya, I'm impressed as all get-out.

Define Tyrant -- Naw, Not PappaZ
First, I had an opportunity to play Mr. James Ellis, the 7th grade social studies teacher. We did a study guide review for a test tomorrow on medieval Europe. The students were well prepared for the review and we had an interesting session talking about the importance of the Rhine and Thames River, knights, lords, vassals, and feudalism. The munchkins were intrigued and motivated. All too soon, Mr. Ellis returned, and I moved on to the next teacher. I like Mr. Ellis' style of teaching.

Pizza To Wet The Learning Appetite
Next, was Mr. Tristin Forney, 7th grade language arts teacher, and one of my former students -- oiy, I'm gettin' old. Anyway, the cherubs came into the classroom, got into their groups, some grabbed a laptop, and they proceeded to work on a project. Talk about motivated. They are writing a piece, complete with the mechanics of grammar, on their favorite pizza parlor. The winning group gets a pizza from that establishment. Now, these kiddoes were mine, last year, and they were a great bunch of characters, but, I have to tell you, Mr. Forney has truly motivated them. I saw real learning, cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, practical learning, going on. I told him and I will tell you, Mr. Forney is an innovative teacher with a unique style. Unfortunately, he is a temporary, long-term substitute. Whatever school district lands him as a permanent addition will indeed be fortunate. I have watched Mr. Forney from the time he was a student teacher with Mrs. Fry and throughout this school year and the only word I can think of to describe his classroom environment is -- COOL. I sincerely hope Loyalsock finds a permanent position for him, he is a gifted teacher.

I sometimes look around at my colleagues and am truly impressed with the quality of our teaching staff, here at the middle school.

They're Baaacccckkk!
My cherubs returned about noon. We ate lunch in homerooms. It gave me a chance to ask about the "Frankly Ben" show. Some liked it, others described it as opera meets rap, and still, others did not care for the wiggle/jiggle dancing. Few saw a link to the historical Ben Franklin figure. Mostly, they saw a young Ben trying to decide his future. To be fair, Stasia did exclaim, "It was Cool!" Ryland told me "it was awesome." Ask your kiddo, tonight, about the show.

I would love to hear from you. Whadd'ya think of the teachers at Loyalsock or how did your kiddo like the Frankly Ben show?

Have a great night, folks.

The New Phone Book Is Here!!!!

As Steve Martin said in the film, "The Jerk," when the new phone book arrived. "I'm a somebody!" I made it as an address link in Mr. Fausnaught's blog! Just watch me sashay down the main hallway, now. Hmmmm. My importance has now increased. Hee hee. Just kidding. Thanks, Mr. Fausnaught.

Earthquake Central
The munchkins are getting the hang of working in groups on the computer to answer worksheet questions on Earthquakes, as presented in a series of powerpoint presentations. You say you can't find those powerpoints? Well, its because they can only be accessed from inside the school district buildings. In other words, its on the district server that is not accessible on the internet. Sorry.

Drainpipe Adventures
BASE kids are working on a water conservation project. The first phase is design a Wet Willie adventure through the drainpipe.

Social Studies
Equal rights.

Have a good night, folks.

Gave 'Em The Same Quiz

Okay, they are working in groups on a project. I quizzed them on Friday, about what they learned. Obviously, the ones that did the work, did well. Those that just stood around and talked, did poorly. Surprise!~! I gave 'em the same quiz, again, today. Most did better, some did the same, a couple did worse?

Look for progress reports on Thursday.

I read a letter to the editor of the Sun-Gazette in praise of a Loyalsock boy named, Eric. He did a random act of kindness for an older woman by shoveling out snow and ice for no pay. I hope we find out who you are, Eric. You are about to get the hug of your life from a bunch of tired old teachers, who role-model morality.

Have a good night, folks