Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to open house. I was feeling a bit under the weather that night, but seeing all the families that came out to support the school and our class was fantastic. We had sixteen out of 19 families represented at open house. That is phenomenal! The massive showing of support is something that I am truly thankful for. It seems hard to believe but October is upon us already and as I reflect on that I can't believe how fast time has gone. It seems like the first day of school was yesterday. With that said, I must complement the kids on how smoothly they are making the days go. Believe me... this is not an easy thing. With a lot of bodies, not a lot of room, and a picky, anal-retentive teacher, the kids have affirmed that this year is going to be as awesome as I had hoped. Congratulations team!! Despite what may seem like my constant nagging...you are all doing a fantastic job and I'm very proud of all that you have accomplished so far. Keep up the great work!
Kudos,
Mr. Fletcher
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Changes when Commenting... Please Read!
Hi Everyone!
I wanted to make everone aware of a couple of things that I have changed with our class blog. I have changed the comment settings on the blog so that any comments you make are sent to my email address first and then will be posted after I have read them. I have done this for two reasons:
1. Safety. By submitting comments this way, I am able to monitor the blog and make sure everything being posted is appropriate for the site and the students to view.
2. If I know when you have commented, I can then respond to your comments if needed. As the number of posts grows, it is hard for me to keep track of who is commenting on which posts. With the comments going to my email first, I can be sure to comment in return if needed regarding a post from past months.
Thanks for your help and understanding. Keep commenting and be sure to check out the awesome pieces that the kids wrote about peace. Don't forget Open House is on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. I hope to see you there.
Best Wishes...
Mr. Fletcher
I wanted to make everone aware of a couple of things that I have changed with our class blog. I have changed the comment settings on the blog so that any comments you make are sent to my email address first and then will be posted after I have read them. I have done this for two reasons:
1. Safety. By submitting comments this way, I am able to monitor the blog and make sure everything being posted is appropriate for the site and the students to view.
2. If I know when you have commented, I can then respond to your comments if needed. As the number of posts grows, it is hard for me to keep track of who is commenting on which posts. With the comments going to my email first, I can be sure to comment in return if needed regarding a post from past months.
Thanks for your help and understanding. Keep commenting and be sure to check out the awesome pieces that the kids wrote about peace. Don't forget Open House is on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. I hope to see you there.
Best Wishes...
Mr. Fletcher
Celebrate Peace
To celebrate the International Day of Peace, students wrote reflective pieces about what they think about when thinking of peace. Here are the ones who wanted to share theirs. Enjoy!
When I think about peace, I think about being alone and having fun watching t.v.. I like to play video games with my brother. Peace means being alone when I'm mad. I like to be alone all the time every day except for when I'm in school. When I get out of school, I go inside of my house and I do the rest of my homework if I have any. When I don't have homework I play video games. I don't like to be played with when I get home from school. My two friends named Caleb and Adler always want to play with me all day every day.
by Daniel
When I think about peace I think about butterflies, peace signs, friends, waterfalls, and flowers. Why? Because these things I see, I hear, and think of. Like butterflies on a sunny day. When I think of peace signs it looks like my folder. When I think of friends, they are playing on the playground. When I see waterfalls in my head they look rocky around them like the Five Cabins in Hudson Falls. Flowers are all around my head. I love peace in everyway. Peace!
by Molly
When I think about peace, I think about animals being unharmed. I think about a baby deer being born, a horse learning to run. I think about baby animals learning to do something it couldn't do before. Whey my grandma's dog learned to play I thought of peace. He learned something new. When he learned not to scratch when he wanted to be pet, I thought of peace. Whenever I see a person trying something new I go out of my mind and think crazy about peace. When I learned to read, I thought of the most fantastic word..peace.
by Leana
When I think about peace, I think about when my family comes over for Christmas or Thanksgiving and spends time with each other and laughs. I also think about peace when I go over to my baby cousin and when she smiles or laughs with me. I love to see my whole family smile or have fun and laugh alot. I have peace when my cat comes and sits on my lap or lays with me on my bed or makes a cute face. I had peace when my dog came over and put his head on my lap and also made a cute face when he looked up at me. When I have fun and laugh I have peace.
by Rachelle
When I think about peace, I think about the anniversary of 9/11. For all of the thousands of souls that were lost that day. The sorrows that were felt that morning, but thanks to the people for risking their lives trying to save them. Some have survived, but most have died. It was a horrible thing that happened September 11. No one will ever forget that day.
by Kaylyn
When I think about peace I think about when I look at my flag at my house. When I think of peace it is when I hear birds outside my house. When I think of peace, I think of doves because doves are so peaceful. When I think of peace I think of my family because they take care of me. I love peace.
by Ellie
When I think about peace I think about babies sleeping. There is alot more to name like when in you're in school and it's silent reading time. Everybody gets really quiet. These are some things I really think are peaceful things. When you see a dove think of peace. Plus, peace is a very nice thing.
by Olivia
When I think of peace I think of my dog Cocoa. She is the best dog in the whole wide world. She loves to play. She always rolls on the floor. She gets happy when I give her a bath and when I brush her. She is the happiest dog ever.
by Nicholas
When I think of peace I think about a quiet and calm place. When I see my two dogs playing and when one dog sleeps on top of the other that makes me peaceful. Even when I walk with my dogs, just the sights I see are amazing. When I get my homework back and I see that I got a 100, that makes me so relieved. Everymorning I sit outside and hear the birds chirping on a sunny day. That makes me peaceful. When my family from Florida comes up for Thanksgiving and when I held my baby cousin is peaceful. Plus, one year we went down to their house and I was sad and the smile on her face warmed my day and I felt happy again. Wow! I neve realized how many peaceful things there are in the world. Peace!
by Dora
When I think about peace I think about when I don't talk it makes my face special. Peace is quiet to me. It makes me calm down. It helps me concentrate on my work. It brings me joy. It helps me read things. It brings me peace where I go. When my cat and dog died I was crying. I still cry when I think of them. When I go in my room it is quiet so I do my homework there and watch t.v..
by Griffin
When I think about peace, I think about nature. Nature to me is bluebirds singing and flowers blooming. But, when I hear the word "peace," I am in a quiet, peaceful place. Peace to me is love, hope, and generosity. If I have a peaceful mind and a concentrated mind I feel very peaceful in my whole body.
by Skylar
When I think about peace I think about my friends because they make me happy and also if I don't make friends then I will be bored and I will have no one to talk to. I would be really sad and have a frown on my face everyday. But I have lots of friends and that's why I always have a smile on my face everyday. My friends bring me peace. But the person that's mostly peaceful to me is my best friend Skylar. Skylar always brings me peace and this is what I think of when I think of peace.
by Winnie
When I think about peace I think about sitting at a bonfire, eating some roasted hot dogs, listening to the crickets chirping and the fire crackling. I get calm when it's peaceful and I get tired when it's peaceful. I think about going fishing with my dad. Listening to the frogs croaking, the fish jumping out of the water (at a pond). It is quiet and peaceful at the pond I usually go to. I think of peace when I spend holidays with my family. Peaceis about love and friendship. I am very happy that we live in a peaceful world.
by Jared
When I think about peace I think about seeing my grandma again because she passed away and I never got to see her again. I really miss her a lot. She meant a lot to me. I think I got the ball from the Wizards because I thought a lot about her. I really want to see her one more time. I really love her. She was the best grandma. When I went to her funeral I was crying because I didn't want her to pass away because she meant a lot to me.
by Richard
When I think about peace I think about when I get to see my grandparents all the way in the Czech Republic. I think that because the family is together. We only get to see them one month in the summer every year. All of us have fun seeing my friends and catching crickets in the field behind my grandmother's house. That's what peace means to me.
by Michelle
When I think about peace I think about my calm, peaceful dog Meika who was had died because she was very sick. I also think about my dead hamster Buddy who was very playful. Also I think about libraries. A dove makes me happy because they are nice and friendly to humans.
by Eric
When I think about peace, I think about being alone and having fun watching t.v.. I like to play video games with my brother. Peace means being alone when I'm mad. I like to be alone all the time every day except for when I'm in school. When I get out of school, I go inside of my house and I do the rest of my homework if I have any. When I don't have homework I play video games. I don't like to be played with when I get home from school. My two friends named Caleb and Adler always want to play with me all day every day.
by Daniel
When I think about peace I think about butterflies, peace signs, friends, waterfalls, and flowers. Why? Because these things I see, I hear, and think of. Like butterflies on a sunny day. When I think of peace signs it looks like my folder. When I think of friends, they are playing on the playground. When I see waterfalls in my head they look rocky around them like the Five Cabins in Hudson Falls. Flowers are all around my head. I love peace in everyway. Peace!
by Molly
When I think about peace, I think about animals being unharmed. I think about a baby deer being born, a horse learning to run. I think about baby animals learning to do something it couldn't do before. Whey my grandma's dog learned to play I thought of peace. He learned something new. When he learned not to scratch when he wanted to be pet, I thought of peace. Whenever I see a person trying something new I go out of my mind and think crazy about peace. When I learned to read, I thought of the most fantastic word..peace.
by Leana
When I think about peace, I think about when my family comes over for Christmas or Thanksgiving and spends time with each other and laughs. I also think about peace when I go over to my baby cousin and when she smiles or laughs with me. I love to see my whole family smile or have fun and laugh alot. I have peace when my cat comes and sits on my lap or lays with me on my bed or makes a cute face. I had peace when my dog came over and put his head on my lap and also made a cute face when he looked up at me. When I have fun and laugh I have peace.
by Rachelle
When I think about peace, I think about the anniversary of 9/11. For all of the thousands of souls that were lost that day. The sorrows that were felt that morning, but thanks to the people for risking their lives trying to save them. Some have survived, but most have died. It was a horrible thing that happened September 11. No one will ever forget that day.
by Kaylyn
When I think about peace I think about when I look at my flag at my house. When I think of peace it is when I hear birds outside my house. When I think of peace, I think of doves because doves are so peaceful. When I think of peace I think of my family because they take care of me. I love peace.
by Ellie
When I think about peace I think about babies sleeping. There is alot more to name like when in you're in school and it's silent reading time. Everybody gets really quiet. These are some things I really think are peaceful things. When you see a dove think of peace. Plus, peace is a very nice thing.
by Olivia
When I think of peace I think of my dog Cocoa. She is the best dog in the whole wide world. She loves to play. She always rolls on the floor. She gets happy when I give her a bath and when I brush her. She is the happiest dog ever.
by Nicholas
When I think of peace I think about a quiet and calm place. When I see my two dogs playing and when one dog sleeps on top of the other that makes me peaceful. Even when I walk with my dogs, just the sights I see are amazing. When I get my homework back and I see that I got a 100, that makes me so relieved. Everymorning I sit outside and hear the birds chirping on a sunny day. That makes me peaceful. When my family from Florida comes up for Thanksgiving and when I held my baby cousin is peaceful. Plus, one year we went down to their house and I was sad and the smile on her face warmed my day and I felt happy again. Wow! I neve realized how many peaceful things there are in the world. Peace!
by Dora
When I think about peace I think about when I don't talk it makes my face special. Peace is quiet to me. It makes me calm down. It helps me concentrate on my work. It brings me joy. It helps me read things. It brings me peace where I go. When my cat and dog died I was crying. I still cry when I think of them. When I go in my room it is quiet so I do my homework there and watch t.v..
by Griffin
When I think about peace, I think about nature. Nature to me is bluebirds singing and flowers blooming. But, when I hear the word "peace," I am in a quiet, peaceful place. Peace to me is love, hope, and generosity. If I have a peaceful mind and a concentrated mind I feel very peaceful in my whole body.
by Skylar
When I think about peace I think about my friends because they make me happy and also if I don't make friends then I will be bored and I will have no one to talk to. I would be really sad and have a frown on my face everyday. But I have lots of friends and that's why I always have a smile on my face everyday. My friends bring me peace. But the person that's mostly peaceful to me is my best friend Skylar. Skylar always brings me peace and this is what I think of when I think of peace.
by Winnie
When I think about peace I think about sitting at a bonfire, eating some roasted hot dogs, listening to the crickets chirping and the fire crackling. I get calm when it's peaceful and I get tired when it's peaceful. I think about going fishing with my dad. Listening to the frogs croaking, the fish jumping out of the water (at a pond). It is quiet and peaceful at the pond I usually go to. I think of peace when I spend holidays with my family. Peaceis about love and friendship. I am very happy that we live in a peaceful world.
by Jared
When I think about peace I think about seeing my grandma again because she passed away and I never got to see her again. I really miss her a lot. She meant a lot to me. I think I got the ball from the Wizards because I thought a lot about her. I really want to see her one more time. I really love her. She was the best grandma. When I went to her funeral I was crying because I didn't want her to pass away because she meant a lot to me.
by Richard
When I think about peace I think about when I get to see my grandparents all the way in the Czech Republic. I think that because the family is together. We only get to see them one month in the summer every year. All of us have fun seeing my friends and catching crickets in the field behind my grandmother's house. That's what peace means to me.
by Michelle
When I think about peace I think about my calm, peaceful dog Meika who was had died because she was very sick. I also think about my dead hamster Buddy who was very playful. Also I think about libraries. A dove makes me happy because they are nice and friendly to humans.
by Eric
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Where did the green go?
Driving home today I was struck by the beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges all around me and I immediately wondered...when did this happen? I swear the trees weren't these colors when I drove into school this morning! What happened to the green?
We are off to a great start in the class. Having one large group has been all that I had hoped it would be and more. The kids have been working extremely hard to get used to our routine and meet classroom expectations. Thank you to all of you who have stopped by to read these posts and make comments. I truly believe that once I am able to get the kids on and interacting with this, we will have some pretty amazing things to share and comment on. The kids' eagerness for this whole blog thing and some of the other ideas I have come up with and shared with them so far has truly been inspiring.
Enjoy the colors,
Mr. Fletcher
We are off to a great start in the class. Having one large group has been all that I had hoped it would be and more. The kids have been working extremely hard to get used to our routine and meet classroom expectations. Thank you to all of you who have stopped by to read these posts and make comments. I truly believe that once I am able to get the kids on and interacting with this, we will have some pretty amazing things to share and comment on. The kids' eagerness for this whole blog thing and some of the other ideas I have come up with and shared with them so far has truly been inspiring.
Enjoy the colors,
Mr. Fletcher
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My New Favorite Thing!
I recently discovered this AMAZING website through a blog that I subscribe to. My creative wheels are spinning. Especially since we study time this year in math. Here's the description posted from the blog I found out about this site from:
"If you love photography, synchronicity, and celebrating humanity, then you should check out the human clock. Every 60 seconds, a different image is displayed that somehow tells the time. There are plenty of obvious pictures with people holding the sign of the time giving a shout out to their hometown or favorite band, but Human Clock also has many colorful pictures that fall into the charming category of awesome coincidences. Check it out! They offer a tidy little desktop window so you can watch the pictures change throughout the day."
http://www.humanclock.com
Maybe we'll be seeing some familiar faces on the Human Clock once our unit on time rolls around!
Feeling Inspired,
Mr. Fletcher
"If you love photography, synchronicity, and celebrating humanity, then you should check out the human clock. Every 60 seconds, a different image is displayed that somehow tells the time. There are plenty of obvious pictures with people holding the sign of the time giving a shout out to their hometown or favorite band, but Human Clock also has many colorful pictures that fall into the charming category of awesome coincidences. Check it out! They offer a tidy little desktop window so you can watch the pictures change throughout the day."
http://www.humanclock.com
Maybe we'll be seeing some familiar faces on the Human Clock once our unit on time rolls around!
Feeling Inspired,
Mr. Fletcher
You want answers????
Each year I give the kids a sheet on the first day of school where they get to reflect on the day. Part of that assignment asks the kids to think of some questions they would like to ask me. I usually collect the papers and read the questions and answer them on the spot in front of the class. However, since we have this awesome blog going now.....I'll be answering the questions from this year's crop here. In no random order.......
What is your age?
By far the most popular question. I'm 25. That is how old I feel so that is what I am going with. All you need to know is that I am significantly younger than Mrs. Lafferty.
Okay....I'm 33, but I try not to act it.
When is your birthday?
January 2. Every year. Mark your calendars.
Do you like being a teacher?
No. I LOVE being a teacher. I can honestly say that I have chosen the right path for me and never regret going into this profession or wish I was doing something else.
How long have you been a teacher?
Nine years.....my very first class in 2001 are seniors this year! OMG!!
Are you married yet?
I'm not sure what the "yet" part means...but yes I am married and have been since 2003. I think.
What is your favorite food?
This is a tough question since I have so many foods that I enjoy, but if I had to choose one I would say chicken Parmesan.
What is your favorite thing to do?
Read. Read. Read. Read.
What are we going to do this year?
A lot. (This is how I always answer this question.)
Will we have homework on the weekends?
Not if I can help it. Ultimately I like to keep homework to a minimum by giving assignments and providing time during the school day to get them finished or as much as possible. I pretty much stick to the belief that if we don't waste time we'll have more time to get work done in school. If we waste time.....I can't make any promises.
What is your favorite subject?
Social Studies.
What is your favorite book?
That is kind of like asking me to pick a favorite child. There are so many books that I love in different ways.
How tall are you?
I am five feet eleven and three quarters. I was never able to reach that six foot mark.
What is your favorite holiday?
Earth Day.
How old are your kids?
Jacob is 2 and a half and Chase is five months.
Do all your animals get along?
I have two dogs, two cats, and two turtles. The dogs and cats get along fine....most of the time. The turtles get along great....most of the time.
Do you like how our class is?
I love the combined group this year. I think it is so cool that we are the only fourth grade class. I think it is going to be a great thing for everyone.
What town did you grow up in?
I grew up in a small town in the middle of the state called Cedarville in Herkimer County. It is smaller than Hunter if you can believe that.
What character from a movie is your favorite?
Jack Skellington from A Nightmare Before Christmas.
How many jobs have you had?
A lot. Let's see....I've worked at KMart, WalMart, a full service gas station, an amusement park as a life guard, a waiter, selling time shares, and now teaching.
Are we going to have Critter Christmas?
Great question. YES!
Who is your favorite Yankees player?
Jorge Posada is a long time favorite, but I would have to say Johnny Damon as well.
Thanks for all the great questions....I know I didn't answer them all but hopefully I answered enough so you feel like you may know me a little better.
Feel free to make comments!!!
Happy New School Year,
Mr. Fletcher
What is your age?
By far the most popular question. I'm 25. That is how old I feel so that is what I am going with. All you need to know is that I am significantly younger than Mrs. Lafferty.
Okay....I'm 33, but I try not to act it.
When is your birthday?
January 2. Every year. Mark your calendars.
Do you like being a teacher?
No. I LOVE being a teacher. I can honestly say that I have chosen the right path for me and never regret going into this profession or wish I was doing something else.
How long have you been a teacher?
Nine years.....my very first class in 2001 are seniors this year! OMG!!
Are you married yet?
I'm not sure what the "yet" part means...but yes I am married and have been since 2003. I think.
What is your favorite food?
This is a tough question since I have so many foods that I enjoy, but if I had to choose one I would say chicken Parmesan.
What is your favorite thing to do?
Read. Read. Read. Read.
What are we going to do this year?
A lot. (This is how I always answer this question.)
Will we have homework on the weekends?
Not if I can help it. Ultimately I like to keep homework to a minimum by giving assignments and providing time during the school day to get them finished or as much as possible. I pretty much stick to the belief that if we don't waste time we'll have more time to get work done in school. If we waste time.....I can't make any promises.
What is your favorite subject?
Social Studies.
What is your favorite book?
That is kind of like asking me to pick a favorite child. There are so many books that I love in different ways.
How tall are you?
I am five feet eleven and three quarters. I was never able to reach that six foot mark.
What is your favorite holiday?
Earth Day.
How old are your kids?
Jacob is 2 and a half and Chase is five months.
Do all your animals get along?
I have two dogs, two cats, and two turtles. The dogs and cats get along fine....most of the time. The turtles get along great....most of the time.
Do you like how our class is?
I love the combined group this year. I think it is so cool that we are the only fourth grade class. I think it is going to be a great thing for everyone.
What town did you grow up in?
I grew up in a small town in the middle of the state called Cedarville in Herkimer County. It is smaller than Hunter if you can believe that.
What character from a movie is your favorite?
Jack Skellington from A Nightmare Before Christmas.
How many jobs have you had?
A lot. Let's see....I've worked at KMart, WalMart, a full service gas station, an amusement park as a life guard, a waiter, selling time shares, and now teaching.
Are we going to have Critter Christmas?
Great question. YES!
Who is your favorite Yankees player?
Jorge Posada is a long time favorite, but I would have to say Johnny Damon as well.
Thanks for all the great questions....I know I didn't answer them all but hopefully I answered enough so you feel like you may know me a little better.
Feel free to make comments!!!
Happy New School Year,
Mr. Fletcher
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