THE HOGGATTEER REVOLUTION
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More First Semester Memories

12/31/2015

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You may remember some of these:
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Resolute Thoughts

12/30/2015

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Three questions up front:
  1. Just because everyone else is making resolutions, that doesn't mean I have to (If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you follow them?).
  2. Who said I can only attempt to improve yourself on January 1 every year?
  3. Is there a rule that says I can't make more than one resolution?

That being said, if you are one to make resolutions, consider the following:
  • Get my child to school on time every day.
  • Ask my child every day about his/her day.
  • Diligently read every note that is sent home from school.
  • Listen to my child read every day.
  • Read to my child every day.
  • Start and maintain a back-and-forth "journal" with my child.
  • Help my child with homework when necessary.
  • Ask my child to explain his/her homework when s/he does not need my help.
  • Get both sides of the story before advocating for my child.
  • Set a good example for my child, knowing s/he watches the same screens I do, sees the places I visit, listens to my speech and my tone, and notices how I treat my spouse, family, and friends.
  • Attend family events when they are offered at the school.

I don't make formal resolutions, but I think and pray about these things every day.  These suggestions, and others, guide me in my very serious task of parenting (Of course, I have a number of similar thoughts concerning the children I teach.).
May the new year bring with it new desires to improve, learn from mistakes,
and of course wonder, explore, and discover!
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First Semester Memories

12/29/2015

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We had some good times during the first semester.  Here are just a few of those times:
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Math League:  Solid Dates

12/28/2015

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I've just updated our Math League page with the dates of our competitions for 2016.  If you are on our team (or a parent of a team member), please make note of these dates:

Our first qualifying contest is in Bolivar, Missouri.  This competition is on Saturday, January 30.

Our second qualifying contest will be on Saturday, February 20, at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin.

Each of these contests give participants the opportunity to qualify for the regional competition on March 5 - also to be held in Bolivar - and high scorers there will be invited to the state contest.

The state math competition will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Columbia College, in Columbia, Missouri.

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Music Appreciation:  Wonderful Christmastime

12/27/2015

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Students are often called upon
to read "chorally".
That is, they read together
simultaneously 
as a group.

Repeating this practice assists young readers with reading fluency - the speed, accuracy,
​and inflection of  oral reading.


Why not, since it's called "choral" reading anyway, actually read
the chorus of a song? 
​
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Opinion:  Empowerment

12/26/2015

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One of our interim superintendent's main themes is to empowering stakeholders.  He rightfully agrees that success comes when parents, students, and teachers have direct ownership of their tasks.  The official definition, for our purposes, follows:
Empowerment means giving people the authority and responsibility to make decisions and take actions.  Empowerment results in decisions being made closest to the front line, where work-related knowledge and understanding reside.

Empowering people enables them to satisfy customers on first contact, improve processes and increase productivity, and improve the organization's performance results.  An empowered work-force requires information to make appropriate decisions; thus, the organization must provide that information in a timely and useful way.
Reading this, I am reminded of the term Tip of the Spear.  It is a term that describes the front line, the part first confronted by an enemy.  While the military comparison may not be the best metaphor for teaching, it does describe important aspects of the empowerment of teachers.

It makes sense that the people closest to the "action" be the ones to make the local decisions.  The "generals" in administration and legislation may provide overall guidance and leadership, and they can even make sure we have all of the supplies we need to do our jobs, but they must not interfere with the daily workings of our battle against ignorance.

At the same time, there is talk of empowering students, a matter that it entirely consistent with making students more and more responsible for their own educations.  This speaks to the motivation of students - creating learners who want to attend, learn, and improve.

We know empowerment works for workers who conscientiously approach their duties.
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The Christmas Truce

12/25/2015

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It's history.  Actual history.  And this time of the year, it's one of my favorite stories.

During the Great War - the first World War - British and German soldiers met on the battlefield.  On Christmas, the German soldiers began singing Stille Nacht - Silent Night.  The British soldiers joined them, singing in English from their own trenches.

Eventually someone raised his arms and stood up, and an extemporaneous truce was declared.
This is a remarkable story of courage and camaraderie - opposing soldiers meeting in the middle to celebrate commonalities.  It's hard to believe that it really happened.  If only we could always meet in the middle like these brave men, share our stories, and celebrate the human spirit!

It kind of makes me want one of those chocolate bars they're advertising.
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Happy Christmas to All...

12/24/2015

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...And to All a Good Night!

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Meaningful Quote:  Character

12/23/2015

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“…So be good for goodness’ sake."
​(J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
)
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Book:  Navigating Early

12/22/2015

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Here's the latest of the Mark Twain Award nominees I've read.  The book has an odd title:  Navigating Early.  The cover even displays a review quote that says the book feels like Huckleberry Finn.  Reading the book, I understand the comparison, but I cannot agree.  Outside some of the obvious similarities within the plot, Clare Vanderpool's novel simply does not have the same quaint honesty.

In fact, Vanderpool appears to be trying too hard to make a complex story:
  • A slightly autistic boy teams with a trouble youth who has just lost his mother and has trouble relating to his military dad
  • A character lost on a mission during World War 2 may or may not magically reappear to a visionary boy
  • Pirates and a deadly bear attack
  • The number pi, which she admits to faking (in her notes at the end)
  • A character named Pi, whose substory is somehow inspired by the number
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From the author's website:
After his mother's death at the end of World War II, Jack Baker is suddenly uprooted from his home in Kansas and placed in a boys' boarding school in Maine.
       Feeling lost and adrift, Jack can't help being drawn to Early, who refuses to believe what everyone accepts to be the truth about the great Appalachian bear, timber rattlesnakes, and the legendary school hero known as the Fish, who was lost in the war.
       When Jack and Early find themselves alone at school, they set out for the Appalachian Trail on a quest for the great black bear.  Along the way they meet some truly strange characters, several of them dangerous, all lost in some way, and each a part of the pi story Early continues to reveal.  Jack's ability to be a steadfast friend to Early will be tested as the boys discover things they never knew about themselves and others.
I believe this is a well-written story, but I think it could have been simpler.  I understand the intention of the author, but I think the main purpose of two boys finding themselves (as much as I dislike that term) was lost in the attempted complexity of the plot.  That being said, the story was enjoyable enough
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Geometry at the North Pole

12/21/2015

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Students were given the task of creating a map, using specific geometric parameters.  People might be surprised to see the length of time they worked on this project without issues of discipline or episodes of boredom.  I actually saw people assisting others in such ways that they became nurturers and tutors - not just answer givers, and not mean critics.  For example, one student audibly told another, "I know you can do this; don't give up!"  A teacher wants to leap for joy when something like that is said.
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Principal Departing

12/20/2015

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This week, Cecil Floyd learned some news that we did not want to hear.  Gayle Hennessey, our principal of the last three and half years has made the decision that it is time to retire.  Ms. Hennessey has been in public education for almost 30 years.  Her tenure here at Cecil Floyd set us on a road to recovery and established a positive trajectory for our building.  More will be written about her departure at a later date.  The transcript of her official announcement letter follows:

December 18, 2015

Dear Cecil Floyd Families,

It is hard to believe that the first semester is already behind us and we are looking forward to second semester.  During this 2nd semester there will be plans for the 2016-2017 school year.

In making those plans, I would like to announce that I will be retiring at the end of this 2015-16 school year.  I am announcing this early so that interviewing and hiring can be completed to get the best candidates.  An early announcement will also help in creating a smooth transition plan for the new principal.

The Cecil Floyd community has been nothing but supportive, warm and welcoming to me.  I couldn't ask for a better place to end my career in education.  Being the principal of Cecil Floyd has truly been a dream come true.  As I begin my new chapter in my life I will hold each person dear to my heart.

I am hoping your holidays are filled with family time, happiness and good health.

Sincerely,

Gayle Hennessey
Principal
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Christmas Party

12/19/2015

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Friday brought an end to 2015 for our school.  Students participated in one last positive behavior celebration by watching The Polar Express while sipping cocoa and enjoying a peppermint candy cane (Of course, our movie was in French with English subtitles.).

We finished just in time to join the rest of the student body in a 30-minute sing-along in the auditorium while parents were permitted into classrooms to set up for our holiday party.

Mrs. Cheatham has really taken care of us, this year.  She has proactively organized our parties thus far, and has not hesitated to take the lead in the execution of those parties.  I can't say enough to thank her.
During our party, Hoggatteers made their own hot chocolate reindeer, ate their pizza lunches, and raced to complete a word search.  Principal Hennessey remarked that we had the quietest Christmas party in the building.

Thanks to all who were involved with our little half-day, event-filled, last day of 2015 (even big-sister, former-Hoggatteer TOSHA, who is always welcome).  We can't wait to see what the new year will bring!
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Supreme Job, Performers!

12/18/2015

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This show was phenomenal!  People were amazed that our fourth graders did not have to use microphones (only the spider mics hanging above the front of the stage, and a handheld mic for a couple of the soloists).  It took some harping to get students to project their voices like they did.  It's something that absolutely does not come naturally for most people who are nervous or fearful of performing in front of an audience.

They smiled, and they swayed.  There animation was above the bar for average fourth grade students, and I feel like they produced a show that was both worth watching and fun to perform.

While we tried to make the show memorable and special by creating an aesthetically pleasing set, blocking movements for the students with acting roles, and by enhancing the show with special effects and lighting, the show was appropriately focused on your children.  We're proud of them.
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All Aboard!

12/17/2015

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The rails have been polished.
The bells have been shined.
The engine's been stoked.
The conductor is well-rested.
The hot chocolate is steaming.


And the tickets are ready to be punched for tomorrow's Polar Express Positive Behavior Celebration for December.

We will be legally viewing the classic movie The Polar Express in class, tomorrow, complete with surround sound...and in French.  Absolument!

And all of this will occur before​ our Christmas party and we dismiss at 11:45.

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