The following are music videos to help math students who are struggling with multiplying numbers
times seven.

Think of these as video flash cards.

Work on these diligently, every evening and on weekends, at home, until you can work them quickly.
If you need to, get some actual flash cards
and study those, as well.

As we enter a new school year, our theme will be "Super Citizens".  It is a theme that our school will carry through for the entire year, with special emphasis being "superheroes" in society.

Superman is always the first superhero we think of, with Batman and Spider Man coming in second and third respectively (though Batman's only real superpower is his abundance of money).  I have to mention, however, that one of my personal favorite superheroes must be Ralph Hinkley.  Most people reading this probably do not remember this American hero, but he is, in title, the greatest.  And no, this Hinkley is not the guy who shot President Reagan!

Ralph Hinkley burst onto the scene in 1981, not understanding what put him on top of the world.  Always claiming it should have happened to somebody else, Hinkley learned as he progressed.  He was a young school teacher, being placed in a class of behavior-deprived high school students (Think Sweathogs.), yet when faced with an important task, he lost the most important component to the task - the instruction book.  He did not have a mission statement, but often collaborated with an experienced partner and a skeptical girlfriend.

As mentioned, Ralph was a teacher.  He pressed forward with a wing and a prayer (Call it faith if you like.), often looking to the skies in his times of greatest need.   He struggled against his own deficient body and mind, but committed himself to serve, help, and even save others, often hitting walls and falling on his face in the process. 

At least one song was written for Ralph.  The lyrics, written by Stephen Geyer, were put to the tune, composed by Mike Post (with an insanely fast drum solo, played by Yours Truly in the high school march band).

While there were issues and stumbling blocks in Ralph's path to becoming the Greatest American Hero, his journey is one that more of us can relate to.  None of us was born on a dying planet and sent to Earth in a protective pod (Superman).  Spider bites do not give us the arachnidal (not a real word, but you get the idea) traits (Spider Man).  We don't have invisible planes, bullet-repelling bracelets, or lassos of truth (Wonder Woman).  Few of us will ever be exposed to extreme radiation to turn us into stretchy, invisible, hulking superheroes who must hide our identities from a curious public and prying press.  But we do learn things as we go.

I believe life does come with an Instruction Book, but even with it, we tend to flail along, tripping over our own feet, and discovering new ways to make things work.  If we are fortunate, we find our stride and keep moving forward.  Bruised, beaten, and smashed flat, we often want to give up, we yearn for an easier way, and we seek refuge from the world (Many actually look for refuge from the world in the world, which of course, makes no sense at all.).

Of course, we do not don a special suit for this (Red tights and a cape anyone?), but we hope that people can see us for what we truly are.  We do not hide our identity, but at the same time, we do not boast in it.

And we do not give up.  Oh, we may find ourselves taking a break, now and then (especially during the summer months), but we must remember, as Super Citizens, that we are on a mission:  to make this world more awesome, to serve our fellow man, and to live lives free of guilt and regret.  It will not be easy, but this sounds like a job for...me!  And you.

Saturday, we had the opportunity to support the surviving family of a Godly woman, retired Cecil Floyd teacher Helen Robertson, during the occasion of her funeral service. I stepped to the front for my part of the service, and opened a sealed envelope to read a letter from the deceased for the first time. No one knew what it would say. In a couple of handwritten pages, she simply said, "I love you," to each of her children and grandchildren, and to her husband of almost 60 years.

Mrs. Robertson had discontinued treatments for her cancer, for the last several weeks, having been told it was not effective. A few weeks ago, she asked me to read the letter at her service. I took a step backwards in response, and she simply asked me to think about it.

One thing I thought about was the support this lady always gave me since meeting me 18 years ago, upon our arrival in Joplin.  Reading the letter was very nearly the least I could do for her in return.

I understand that a funeral is more for the living than for the dead, and while I am not a part of her physical family, her simple instruction to "think about it" was enough to encourage me to accept the responsibility.

Mrs. Robertson had seen me preach through tears before.  She knew that I could not read such a heartfelt sentiment without tears, without emotion that would emote to every member of the audience. I have to assume that was one reason I was the chosen one to read it. I am certain that she wanted the letter read for the benefit of her physical family, but I considered it an honor to have been chosen to perform the task.

She was a teacher by career, a caretaker at heart, an encourager by habit, and a Christian by faith. We will take her forth in our memories, and seek to capture her spirit of giving and serving.

Sometimes, when we go to the movies or as we watch a show on TV, we are transported into the plot.  Directors understand that their selection of background music can change and enhance a scene.

Now it is time to turn it around.  This time, the music comes first.  Do not watch the video; instead, let the music lead your imagination.  As it plays, allow it to transport you into a scene that has yet to be written.  Then, write the scene.  Use all the visual imagery you can muster in your writing.  At the end, you will share your writing.  Will it stand on its own, without the music in the background?

I am proud of South Middle School student KINSLEY (former Hoggatteer) and her partner.  They recently returned from competing in National History Day in Washington, DC, where they received 13th place in the nation for their group website, Penicillin: Major Medical and Wartime Wonder.  Former Cecil Floyd Teacher, Mr. Obert, is the SMS Advanced Social Studies instructor.

I recently opened my email box and discovered messages from KALEB, PAIGE, and CHRIS.

KALEB wrote:

Can't you just picture KALEB out there?

The newest message came from CHRIS.  He wrote:

We will surely miss CHRIS, next year.  I'm sure we all wanted to watch him continue to grow and mature.

PAIGE also sent a message asking about Summer School.

I hope life is great for all of you.  You are wonderful young men and women, and it's always a pleasure to hear from you.  Please keep in touch.

So how about you?  Have you had any adventures or seen anything interesting in the weeks we have been out of school?  Do you have any plans for the rest of the summer?  Whether you were in my class, this year or in previous years, I'd love to hear from you.  You can comment below or send me a note to keep in touch.

Well, we all survived four weeks of Summer School.  As many as 19 fifth graders graced our class at Kelsey Norman Elementary, with some coming and going with the arrival of camps and church or family activities.  It was my good fortune to draw a classroom full of well-behaved young people.

Now to prepare for the regular school year to begin, just 44 days!