It started last night, really, and by 2am even the dog couldn't recognize my voice. I tried school anyway, assuming it'd be okay....maybe it would even get BETTER??!!! But by social studies time, it was beyond clear that my voice just wasn't there, so I had plans to show a documentary about how the states got their shapes - a nice historical trip to North Carolina, New Hampshire, Delaware (I didn't choose the mix-up of the states, History Channel did...)!
I'm not sure what I expected would happen....that for once in their lives the kids would sit quietly and listen? That for a single moment they'd turn off their brains and sit numbly in front of this documentary without asking a single interesting question?
We never made it to the documentary, folks, because your kids are just too darn interesting! We started off with a question about different animal species and types and why there is really only one type of human - which of course was an idea we had to dispel by looking at the Smithsonian site and the timeline of human fossils so we could see for ourselves the different types of humans that scientists believed lived. Then we touched on creationism/evolution, survival of the fittest, animal and human adaptations, recessive traits, giraffes, social order within lion prides....
I certainly didn't get to rest my voice, but it reminded me again of what I love about teaching - every day is different, each class is interesting, and every second is full of teachable moments if we just decide to embrace them. Thanks for sharing your students with me this year!
This week plays out something like this:
ELA PARCC practice tests this week, Wednesday and Thursday. Minimal homework expected, but chance of rebellion from the students. Social Studies will feature Ancient Rome again this week and a review of latitude/longitude skills that we seem to be struggling with - expect at least one social studies assignment this week over latitude and longitude! Kids are working with absolute value in math and are gearing up for the science expo project to begin in science! It's a busy and fun time of year in 6th grade! I'm glad you're along for the ride!
OH! I almost forgot!
It's Read Across America Week and we are celebrating Dr. Suess's birthday in a big way at BRIJHS! We're decorating doors, hosting dress up events, and organizing an awesome Book Blizzard day on Friday --- all culminating with a family fun night book fair and parent academy on Friday night from 5-8! Here's a break down of the events:
Tuesday - PJ day!
Wednesday - Favorite Book Character day
Thursday - Harry Potter Character day (not my idea, but I totally love it!)
Friday - Book Blizzard/Drop Everything and Read Day, Book Fair 5-8, Parent Academy 6-8 (***prizes will be awarded for attending parent academy events!!!)***