Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Wednesday, September 5, 2007












During my Explorer Social Studies class today, I broke the class into 5 groups of 2 students each and one group of 3 students (since I have 13 students). We had completed a detailed overhead map of the conterminous USA and the contiguous USA. We discussed at great length the definition of the word, "contiguous". Each group had to explore the definitions of their Social Studies vocabulary words and then report back to the class their respective group's findings. These Explorers are very ingenious. I've included some photos of our small cooperative group's activities. Enjoy!
Our quote for the day is: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
-Aesop
When we discussed this quote by Aesop, one of my Explorers said, "Wow and all I thought he ever did was just write fables".
Today was a truly a delightful day with the Explorers! The new schedule will take some getting use to, but we all are working on remembering where we need to be and at what time!

Mr. G. and I switched classes today for our Math groups and Social Studies/Science. Our goal, as stated in the parent "Back to School" letter, which is the first posting on this blog, is to have only 2 subjects of homework each night. As promised, Mr.G and I have coordinated our homework assignments. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays and Wednesdays: Science and Math

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Social Studies and Spelling

Fridays: Handwriting, Geography, or Current Events

Please note: The above are the days when homework in those subjects may be assigned. Your child will not always have homework in two subjects each day. Once we get our reading logs created later this week, I'll expect reading in the reading logs to occur virtually every evening, as well as practicing their spelling words. (Reading and practicing ones' spelling words is an ongoing process throughout the year). Also, there may be a possibility of having homework assigned on Fridays. You may rest assured that, if it is assigned, it will always be very light.

To my new Navigator parents: I will post the Navigators' Math and Social Studies homework on this blog. Your Navigator child has my blog site glued onto the front page of his/her assignment book. So, in the unlikely event that a Navigator might forget his/her assignment book, here is where a family can view the homework assignment. Please note that I will be posting the Navigator homework AFTER I post the Explorers' homework.

Explorers who have Mr. G. for Math and Science need to check his website for their Math and Science homework.
Explorers' Social Studies: Students are to continue memorizing the first stanza of the Star Spangled Banner. We will be singing it in front of the school on Friday at Gathering.

Explorers and Navigators who have me for Math are to write what they want to learn in Math class this year. This is to be turned in tomorrow. Also, parents are to write down, on a separate piece of paper, what their expectations are for their child's Math this year. The parent piece is not due until Friday; but it may be turned in tomorrow if the parents were able to complete it tonight.
Have a glorious evening. I'll see you your child in the morning!

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