Just a reminder that we have yet another field trip coming up and the money and permission slips are due on MONDAY, December 3rd.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A Lesson in Responding
One of our devoted bloggers last night wrote a comment wondering where everyone is, since few have been showing up on our blog lately. So today I'm posting a question to which I'd LOVE our students to respond!
I can't wait to see what you have to say about this!
Question:
I can't wait to see what you have to say about this!
Question:
If you could help, either by volunteering or by donating money, any charity/non-profit in the world, what would it be and why do you want to help them?Happy blogging!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Turkey for me, turkey for you
We want to wish the sixth grade families and students a very happy, healthy and safe holiday weekend!
See you on Monday!
Ms. Grodberg
See you on Monday!
Ms. Grodberg
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thankful
This is the month of thankfulness, and every day I have challenged the students to think of one thing for which they are thankful. Here are some of their answers from today:
"I am thankful for the country I live in."
-Mask of Truth
"I am thankful for being alive."
-Mr. Snuggles Cat
"I am thankful that Obama won."
-Love 2 Sing
"I am thankful that Obama is president again."
-Black Ops
"I am thankful for the country I live in."
-Mask of Truth
"I am thankful for being alive."
-Mr. Snuggles Cat
"I am thankful that Obama won."
-Love 2 Sing
"I am thankful that Obama is president again."
-Black Ops
Friday, November 2, 2012
And the Debate Is On!
Are you a democrat? Are you a republican? Do you even follow politics? I think it's near impossible to not to pay attention to the upcoming presidential election since every other commercial on TV and on the radio is comprised of candidates bashing each other. Fun.
But what is fun is our student class representatives went around to all classrooms this week teaching the Pyne Arts students about the way the president is elected, and how the political system is set up in the United States.
Each representative had a flipbook, that was put together by Mr. Neagle who spearheaded this school-wide project, that they used to teach small groups of students about the election.
The kids discussed everything from what the president of the United States does in his position to the current candidates, to how the electoral college works. Many students had questions about the electoral college, which is best explained in the link below. Because our representatives were chosen by their peers, the popular vote makes the most sense, but the kids soon learned that the state electors really do the voting in the end. Unfortunately our students were not around yet to remember the very controversial 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, but for those of us who paid any attention to that election probably remember that the popular vote was quickly negated after the electoral vote was counted. It was a close one, though.
http://blog.cgpgrey.com/the-electoral-college/
For the next few days, the halls will be decorated with pictures and information about both Mitt Romney and Barak Obama, and the kids are excited to vote in our mock election that is taking place on Monday, November 5th.
We can't wait to see who will win!
But what is fun is our student class representatives went around to all classrooms this week teaching the Pyne Arts students about the way the president is elected, and how the political system is set up in the United States.
Each representative had a flipbook, that was put together by Mr. Neagle who spearheaded this school-wide project, that they used to teach small groups of students about the election.
The kids discussed everything from what the president of the United States does in his position to the current candidates, to how the electoral college works. Many students had questions about the electoral college, which is best explained in the link below. Because our representatives were chosen by their peers, the popular vote makes the most sense, but the kids soon learned that the state electors really do the voting in the end. Unfortunately our students were not around yet to remember the very controversial 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, but for those of us who paid any attention to that election probably remember that the popular vote was quickly negated after the electoral vote was counted. It was a close one, though.
http://blog.cgpgrey.com/the-electoral-college/
For the next few days, the halls will be decorated with pictures and information about both Mitt Romney and Barak Obama, and the kids are excited to vote in our mock election that is taking place on Monday, November 5th.
We can't wait to see who will win!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Virtually Me
I'd say that it's kismet (fate) that the sixth grade got an invitation to see a play called "Virtually Me" based on virtual socializing and how it affects friendships, our current writing unit topic.
The play was appropriately interactive for our technologically-clad students, especially the beginning where a large computer screen typed questions for the audience to answer. Students all around us yelled their answers out loud, and the auditorium was teeming with chatter and giggles.
I knew we were in the place.
Throughout the show, it was clear that the kids felt connected to the content, especially since our writing focus has been on our position we'd take if we had to debate the effects of virtual socializing on friendships. We got to see it first-hand, acted out, all of the positive and negative affects it can and does have on our youth.
A major point the play makes is that of cyber-bullying, an ever-growing issue in the U.S.
As an educator, and someone who grew up on the edge of the technological boom, I understand the pressures our students feel to interact with one another virtually. In so many ways, the benefits from being able to be in touch instantly with one another is unparalleled, especially when it comes to safety, but so much of our technology is abused, and having "instant" connections has proven to be harmful.
Over the past few years, stories have graced the news of those who were unfortunately beaten by the virtual system, and who took their own lives as a way to escape their peers and the pressures around them. My heart breaks knowing there are so many out there being bullied to the point where they felt they had no choice but to face death. As a teacher, I ask myself after hearing these stories, "How did this slip past all of the adults?" But kids are sneaky, and technology is stealthy; sometimes by the time the bullying has been caught, the damage has been done.
But what I love about this writing unit and the play, Virtually Me is that our students are truly examining their feelings toward virtual socializing. I'm proud to know that there seems to be a balance between understanding its benefits, and also the harm that can ensue if used in the wrong way. It is unfortunate that so many have taken their own lives because of reckless individuals, but the best thing we can do as adults is educate our youth on the appropriateness of virtual socializing, and hope that they follow our lead.
We have had some really great conversations in the classroom about ways people use various forms of virtual socializing, and we've opened up the forum enough so that all of our students feel comfortable sharing and expressing their feelings about the trials and tribulations is this ever-changing world of technology.
I hope you all take a look at the website Virtually Me and talk with your student about how they can help their friends and peers use the internet and virtual socializing safely and respectfully.
The play was appropriately interactive for our technologically-clad students, especially the beginning where a large computer screen typed questions for the audience to answer. Students all around us yelled their answers out loud, and the auditorium was teeming with chatter and giggles.
I knew we were in the place.
Throughout the show, it was clear that the kids felt connected to the content, especially since our writing focus has been on our position we'd take if we had to debate the effects of virtual socializing on friendships. We got to see it first-hand, acted out, all of the positive and negative affects it can and does have on our youth.
A major point the play makes is that of cyber-bullying, an ever-growing issue in the U.S.
As an educator, and someone who grew up on the edge of the technological boom, I understand the pressures our students feel to interact with one another virtually. In so many ways, the benefits from being able to be in touch instantly with one another is unparalleled, especially when it comes to safety, but so much of our technology is abused, and having "instant" connections has proven to be harmful.
Over the past few years, stories have graced the news of those who were unfortunately beaten by the virtual system, and who took their own lives as a way to escape their peers and the pressures around them. My heart breaks knowing there are so many out there being bullied to the point where they felt they had no choice but to face death. As a teacher, I ask myself after hearing these stories, "How did this slip past all of the adults?" But kids are sneaky, and technology is stealthy; sometimes by the time the bullying has been caught, the damage has been done.
But what I love about this writing unit and the play, Virtually Me is that our students are truly examining their feelings toward virtual socializing. I'm proud to know that there seems to be a balance between understanding its benefits, and also the harm that can ensue if used in the wrong way. It is unfortunate that so many have taken their own lives because of reckless individuals, but the best thing we can do as adults is educate our youth on the appropriateness of virtual socializing, and hope that they follow our lead.
We have had some really great conversations in the classroom about ways people use various forms of virtual socializing, and we've opened up the forum enough so that all of our students feel comfortable sharing and expressing their feelings about the trials and tribulations is this ever-changing world of technology.
I hope you all take a look at the website Virtually Me and talk with your student about how they can help their friends and peers use the internet and virtual socializing safely and respectfully.
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