You may remember some of these:
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Three questions up front:
That being said, if you are one to make resolutions, consider the following:
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! We had some good times during the first semester. Here are just a few of those times:  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.
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. 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. 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. 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:
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.
 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
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!
 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. |
AnthemThis is THE ROOM
WHERE IT HAPPENS! OH SAY, CAN YOU SEE? The Hoggatteer Revolution is our extensive, award-winning, digital platform for a fourth grade class of curious and inimitable Hoggatteers at the distinctive Cecil Milton Floyd Elementary Academy and Laboratory for Encouraging and Developing the Arts and Sciences in beautiful, friendly Joplin, Missouri, IN THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE Our site is described as
"a fantastic site... chockablock full of interesting ideas, hilarious anecdotes, and useful resources." 
...to like, bookmark, pin,
tweet, and share about us...and check in regularly for updates, posted before DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, daily! 
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Your Source for At-Home Learning during Social Distancing for the Spring of 2020
VISIONEngaging a community
of learners through high expectations, integrity, and empowerment, in the LAND OF OPPORTUNITY 
MissionBuilding a high-performing
INDIVISIBLE community of learners, engaged in their future through a culture of continuous improvement of LIFE, LIBERTY, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS 
ObjectiveSOARing as lifelong,
innovative thinkers who are compassionate, productive citizens, for LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL 
IN ORDER TO FORM
A MORE PERFECT classroom, and to INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH that we will... Show Respect
Observe Safety Accept Responsibility Resolve Conflict 
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Trophy Case
Selected Participant for 2020-2022
Selected Attendee, 2022
Outstanding Achievement, 2022
April 2022
Nominated, January 2022
2021 Missouri History Teacher of the Year and National History Teacher of the Year Nominee
Recognized in Joplin Globe, February 2021
Teacher Institute Participant, 2019
Ancestry Classroom Grant, Since 2018
Summer Residency Participant, 2018
"The Bus Stops Here" Grant, November 2018
Summer Residency, 2018
Recognized 2017
Since 2017
MSTA Media Award, KOAM-TV's
"Manners Matter", Featuring Our Class, May 2017
Third Place, 2016 Film Festival
Recognized 2016
Since 2015
 2014 Recipient
Slide Certified, 2012
2009 Outstanding Class Website
2005 Nominee
2005 Joplin Teacher of the Year and Missouri Teacher of the Year nominee
2004 Recipient
2002 Excellent Education Program
2001 Nominee
1996 Outstanding Classroom Video
Grant Recipient, 1993
BookshelfAl Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea Charlotte's Web by E. B. White Chippin Cleats by D. Ed. Hoggatt Crumbling Spirit by D. Ed. Hoggatt Echo by Pam Nuñoz Ryan Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Holes by Louis Sachar The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick Loser by Jerry Spinelli Love That Dog by Sharon Creech Mumsket by D. Ed. Hoggatt Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse Out of the Wind by D. Ed. Hoggatt Petey by Ben Mikaelsen Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman 
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Checks & BalancesLinks to external sites
on the internet are for convenience only. No endorsement or approval of any content, products, or services is intended. Opinions on sites are not necessarily shared by Mr. Hoggatt or Joplin Schools. (In fact, sometimes Mr. Hoggatt doesn't agree with anyone.) |
