Origins of traditions are often interesting to study.  Since we just experienced 12/12/12, I thought it might be interesting to look at the Twelve Days of Christmas from a Mathematics perspective.  Without going into much detail, I led the class in a short explanation of the lyrics of this song that many of us find to be strange.

The song, of course, was borne out of the Catholic religion, with parts being foreign to those of us who hold different beliefs, and other parts that are foreign to people who reject Christianity outright.  For the record, as far as I can tell, here is the rundown:

• A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ
• Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments
• Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
• Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
• Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament
• Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day
• Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes
• Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
• Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments
• Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples
• Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed

Many do not realize this song is religious in nature - and as such may not represent each person's views - but when not interpreted symbolically, it's just a fun song to sing about an eccentric "true love" sending way too many over-the-top gifts.

By the way, in 2012, the cost for all of the literal gifts listed in the song has increased by six percent, totaling $25,430, and the highest cost is not incurred by any of the entertainers, or even the gold rings.  Here's what the breakdown looks like:

One website points out, "If you follow the song’s precise instructions, you are technically supposed to buy items consecutively on each of the 12 days."  The assignment students worked on in class was to figure out you are buying a total of 364 items at once - a pear tree for each of the twelve days, for example.  If you follow these rules, the real price of the 12 Days of Christmas rises to $107,300! The 2012 price of the 12 Days of Christmas is the highest in recorded history.  What costs $107,300 this year cost just $55,000 a decade ago. That means the price of these items has increased nearly 100% since since our current fourth graders were born.

I don't know who coined that phrase, but I am convinced that it is true more often than not.  Likewise, a holiday presentation - such as our own, which is right around the corner - may only be as solid as the weakest presenter.  For the last two days, I have been in the room while the fourth grade has rehearsed for Friday's and Monday's shows, and I must report, the conduct during those shows has been quite loose.  That is to say, I believe my students need to show more pride for their presentation.  Understandably, there is excitement in the air, and standing around, waiting for your part to begin can be tedious; however, I want to hold my students to a higher standard.  Parents, please emphasize to your children that we want Cecil Floyd's Christmas program to be the best in recent memory.  Let's do all we can to strengthen the chain!

We had two observers in our classroom yesterday.  One, a wasp, was only slightly intrusive and disappeared into the heating vent (where I'm quite certain it has a hive with thousands of giant mutant cousins, and they are all waiting for the last day of earth, which, according to the Mayans, is December 21, 2012...but I digress).

Our second guest was Mrs. Nicodemus, our treasured former substitute and current first grade student teacher.  Mrs. Nicodemus is doing some observing of other teachers at the end of her student teaching experience, and we were happy to have her sit in with us for a couple of hours, yesterday morning.

I think she was impressed with the way our class discussed a single paragraph in an ongoing story we are reading.  Students were using appropriate reading comprehension vocabulary to discuss their ideas, predictions, inferences, and evaluations of the paragraph (See more about these skills on our Read Like a Reader and Read Like a Writer pages.).  Next, two small groups of students presented the readers theater pieces we have been preparing for a couple of weeks.

After a short break, we returned to the classroom for some Math like we like it.  We started with a hexagon (a creation of my own that allows for a different presentation of content).  Students love to do these hexagons.  Now that the class has been introduced to the order of operations, I have introduced some traditional algebraic sentences, and we have been working them together.  During this time, students are successful, not only when they correctly solve a problem, but when they identify the mistakes that caused them to get a problem wrong.  In a twisted way, this identification of mistakes allows students to support and receive support from their peers.  They help solve the issues, applaud success, and encourage each other - all as a part of the process we have embedded into our class.

It felt pretty nice to share two solid hours with Mrs. Nicodemus.  I was very proud of my class.  As a side note, I think the wasp stayed around for longer.

With iPads in our classroom, we have begun using the Wonderopolis website.  This is a site that takes a different topic every day and develops it with vocabulary, science, and curiosity.

Wonders of the Day helps students find learning moments in everyday life, ones that fit in with dinner preparations, carpool responsibilities, a stolen moment between breakfast and the bus, or within school curriculum and education programs.  Parents, I encourage you to provide some time for your children to explore Wonderopolis on weekends and days off of school.

Another part of the iPad experience is to visit the Number A Day website.  I am requiring students to break down an explanation of the day's number.  Is the number even or odd?  Is it prime or composite?  Is the number divisible by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9?  How many factors are there?  This site provides many more advanced aspects of each number provided, including historical and pop cultural references.

The Math Buddy website provides daily Math practice at many levels.  Students are challenged to begin with a Grade 1 question and work their ways up as far as the eighth grade.  The multiple choice questions on the site give students an opportunity to do some problem solving.

After a few minutes of exploration, students are given the time they need to address a short Writing assignment.  Our plan is to collect these writings as the basis for longer writing during a separate time.

Naturally, any time we are finished with all other work, silent reading (for enjoyment) is encouraged.

Use of the iPads for searching these websites and assignments will allow me to work more with individuals and small groups who may need specific help.  For the students, it should be nice to receive instruction and practice from a source other than the teacher.  All of these assignments can be explored daily - even on weekends and snow days - on our website in the Daily Discoveries area.  Feel free to explore.

We are looking for multiple copies of of "Santa Paws 2" to use during the upcoming behavior reward.  If you have a DVD copy of the movie and don't mind our legal use of it for the school, please label it with your name, and send it to class with your child.  It will be greatly appreciated.

While it seems I have been out of the classroom quite a bit, during the first semester, I really have perfect attendance for the 2012/3 school year.  How is this possible?  The district has pulled teachers from the classroom for several different reasons:  grade-level meetings, Title I meetings, problem solving meetings, and most recently (today), a math literature inservice.  While there are valid reasons for the meetings, sometimes I feel like I am neglecting my students by being away from them.  Believe me when I say I would rather be in the classroom than the conference room, the principal's office, or another campus.

Our class has exceeded 1,000 Golden Tickets.  Golden Tickets are recognitions of positive behavior, given to individual students for showing respect, observing safety, accepting responsibility, or resolving conflict.  On Fridays, students who have received 15, 30, or 45 Golden Tickets may choose to "cash in" their tickets for more tangible rewards.

In addition to the individual rewards, the school is offering a campus-wide recognition on Tuesday, December 18.  On this day, all students who do not receive an office referral are eligible to participate in the reward:  we will watch Santa Paws 2 and will enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes.