Crazy for Minecraft!

We scored one of the most popular theme's for our class basket -- sure to create a lot of interest and revenue for our wonderful PTA.  Please consider donating an item, or even a $1 to our basket.

Go to this link:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054ea4a922aa8-class
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054ea4a922aa8-class

Lady Bug Love

The best days of teaching are often the craziest.  Having our own ladybugs to observe applies.  The kids are over the top about having ladybugs which is awesome.  They are genuinely interested and engaged.  They also will make ladybug pronouncements through the day in the middle of math, reading and writing.

This lead their teacher to say crazy things like "Don't talk to me unless all of your Ladybugs are dead" and "If you pick up your ladybugs one more time one of the two of your are going to bet set free".

The ladybugs themselves are fairly cooperative.  Despite living in what must feel like a constant earthquake environment, they get "friendly" really fast.   The extent of my instruction relating to the mating habits of this beetle is as follows:  If a small ladybug (male) is piggy-backing on a larger ladybug (female) for a while (minutes to hours) they are probably mating.  When the mommy and daddy mate, they produce offspring.  The offspring will be teeny tiny rows of bright yellow eggs.  That is the extent of the reproduction talk.  Turns out you need a high-powered microscope to figure out whether it is a boy or a girl, so there's nothing graphic here.

Some interesting things to note:
Ladybugs flap their wings 85 times a second!
When threatened they "bleed" a foul smelling fluid from their knees
They'll eat about 5,000 aphids in their lifetimes
And if pushed, the'll become cannabalistic.

I can't make this stuff up.  I do hope that you are hearing about it at home.  

What a Week!

We have had a wackadoodle schedule every day this week to allow the Kindergardners time to practice their hoe down moves in the cafeteria.  That means we have had specials in the morning and recess in the afternoon.  The kids did pretty well with all the changes.

NEXT week on Tuesday will be the STAAR ready test in Math.  So on Monday I'll be reminding you parents to plant your kids in bed early so they get a good nights' rest and throw some protein into them in the morning so they'll be ready to do their best.

The biggest event of the week is our LIVING MUSEUM!  All parents are invited to meet our 21 inventors/entrepreneurs/innovators.  Students can create a poster, dress up, make a powerpoint, do a demonstration, give samples, build a model.  Whatever time, money and effort you want to invest in home.  We have written our speech paragraphs in class and the students have done a practice presentation.  I strongly suggest that students read their speeches many, many time over the weekend so that they will know it well enough that they can glance up when speaking, but it does not have to be memorized.  This is a wonderful event and you are invited to attend!!!

Education Go Get It Events. Let's get EGGI!

Education Go Get It Week
March 7^th – 11^th ** Let’s get excited about going to College!!! **

MONDAY- March 7^th
“Hats Off to College” – wear your favorite College hat
Broadcast Interview: Marika Flatt, Owner, PR By the Book

TUESDAY – March 8^th
“College Spirit” – Wear your favorite College tshirt/jersey
Broadcast Interview: Jennifer Stoner, Speech Therapist

WEDNESDAY – March 9^th
“Slip into College” - Wear slippers ** Bring tennis shoes for P.E.
Broadcast Interview: Gari-Shae Perry, Dell Account Manager

THURSDAY – March 10^th
“Be All You Can Be – Say COLLEGE IS FOR ME!” – wear camouflage
Broadcast Interview: Amie Schultze, FCE Assistant Principal

FRIDAY – March 11^th
“Dress for Success” – dress-up in Profession of your choice
Broadcast Interview: Lauren Stafford, VP of Research & Instructional Design