In the Lou

I forgot to share this retrospective video that I made for our students’ promotion day ceremony. I’m sure I’ll remember other things, but this gives you a good glimpse of the fun we had!

I can’t legitimately say that I need some time to think what I should be typing right now since I haven’t updated anyone in quite some time. So I won’t put it off, but I am needing to think along the way. Fortunately or unfortunately for you, this is going to be lengthy.

Part 1: 10 am today

In my effort to ban mediocrity, I avoid at all costs talking about finishing eighth grade as a graduation to high school. Yes, as a student, one is promoted. But the transition to high school should be met with much less fanfare than graduation or college commencement. (more…)

I’ve recently been into the glorious land of DonorsChoose for the first time. This is a site where you can write proposals for things one might need in the classroom.

When I returned from my summer travels, my digital camera had transformed itself into a paperweight. So, I wrote a proposal. And it got funded! I’ve been taking pictures of every lab since. My kids were, at first, a little shy, but now they love it.

Last year I did a big slide show at the end of the year, but I’ve found an AWESOME way to make quick slide shows to show in class. If haven’t tried out Animoto for yourself, do so after seeing the great vids I made with basically no effort beyond uploading the pictures and picking a song.

The best thing about the big donors so far… I only knew one of four. Three random people reached out to my students. That’s even more awesome than the videos you’re about to watch.

Shameless plug: View my current DonorsChoose project

Even though it was 70 degrees and sunny on Sunday, it is snowing like the dead of winter in St. Louis today. In fact, this is our biggest storm of the year. More than 8.5 inches has already blanketed the airport, the place of our official readings. Eating Ted Drewes while wearing short sleeves seems so long ago as I look out my window on a world of white.

The occurrence of this snow day means that, this week, I will not have been in my classroom for even one lesson. This is strange, but true. (more…)