The Bloomsburg Fair

I was faced with a tough decision on Saturday. Leave for the fair at 5:00 P.M.--and miss the rest of the Penn State Game, or not get a chance to go. Saturday was going to be the only time we could get there this week. After listening to the game on the way to the fair, I think we made the right decision.

When you go to the fair, you have to have a plan of attack. There is just way to many people to try to maneuver. When we get there our first thoughts on on FOOD!! You have to get the Cactus Taters. The Cactus Taters are an easy find, just look for the tallest light tower and they're right there. That's when we split up. My wife waits for the Cactus Taters with our daughters, I take my son and head down the end of the row, toward the center ring, to find the Grotto's Pizza Stand. We have a bigger family now, so I think it's important to get a whole pizza pie, financially speaking of course. Oh, who am I kidding? It just gives me an extra piece...or two. After sitting by the exhibits to eat our dinner, there's only one place for me for dessert--Sunset Ice Cream. I know that I could probably get it anytime here in Williamsport, but it just tastes better at the fair.

After eating, it's time to digest, so we take the kids to the kiddie land rides and hope they don't throw up on someone. They didn't, and they had a blast. We have one more last stop before heading home. We have to see the animals. We saw the goats, llamas, horses, cows, etc., but not the dogs. That line is way too crowded and I already have two dogs that drive me crazy at home. Now it's time to head back to the main gate--pick up a funnel cake or two on the way out--and head home. Another great year at the fair!!!

Teaching Geography

As I noted in an earlier post, we have changed the 7th grade social studies curriculum this year. Instead of teaching World History (Rome to the Middle Ages), I am teaching People, Places, and Environments. I've been focusing on the Five Themes of Geography to start. We're beginning one of my favorite themes (Place) tomorrow. This video clip is one of the reasons that Place is my favorite themes of Geography. Check it out.

One Week Down

Well we have one week finished for the 2007-08 school year. Already, I'm behind schedule. I had a goal of writing every day. However, I've been exhausted after each day of school. I think we had a really great week. My students did a really good project called the "4 Corners of Me." Basically they were to put in each corner of a piece of paper a word or picture that reflects their personality, their favorite place, their most memorable moment, and their favorite food. I've been really impressed by some of their work. Some of the students did their projects in PowerPoint and emailed them to me.

Upcoming Week

Well, this past week, we spent most of the in a "get to know you" mode. Next week, we will jump into the content of our course--People, Places and Cultures. I have a bunch of projects floating around my head that I'm excited to see the students begin working on. Last year, I applied for a tech. grant to get some new video cameras and a digital still camera. We now have 3 digital stills, and 4 digital camcorders. I guarantee they'll be put to good use.

Sports Update

It's that time of year at Loyalsock--the Fall sports' season has begun. Our girls' tennis team is off to a great start. I believe that they are 3-0. The football team travels to Crestwood tomorrow night--don't think I'll make that one. And, our boys' and girls' soccer teams begin their seasons in Clinton County Commissioners Cup (Boys) and the Montoursville Tournament (Girls). I still can't believe that I won't be on the sidelines this year for the boys' soccer team. Good luck to all!!!

What a Day

Whoa! What a day today. Today was my oldest daughter's first day of Kindergarten. It's unbelievable to think that she has started here journey in the school system. As a parent, I'm pretty excited about her being at the Donald E. Schick Elementary School.

First Day of Middle School

Today was also my first day back to school at the Loyalsock Township Middle School. What a crazy ride it was today. I played a great game with my sixth period students called "two truths and a lie." Basically, we had to write down two things about us that were true and one thing that was false. Then we tried to guess which was true and which was false. It was a pretty fun game. My goal for this week is to try to learn everyone's name by the end of the week. Tomorrow, we'll play a great ice breaker game called the name game that will hopefully set me on my way.

Ellis

Are You Ready?

Ah...the last weekend before school starts. I hope everyone is ready. I am excited about this year. I didn't get a chance to see everyone at "Meet the Teacher Night", so I did not get to explain what would be going on in Social Studies. This year we are starting a new curriculum in Seventh Grade Social Studies. It is titled "People, Places, and Environments." We are going to take a look at the different countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East by studying the geography, history, culture, etc. of those regions. The new curriculum will afford us the opportunity to do many projects.

Seventh Grade will also be piloting a new club program this year. Instead of having Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), we will have a club period every morning from 8:00 A.M. to 8:20 A.M. The different clubs we've discussed range from media production, history of movies and movie making, environmental awareness, books vs. movies, people helping people and homework club. The clubs will provide many opportunities for our students to "think outside of the box" by identifying problems problems and developing solutions. I think this will be very exciting!

Speaking of People Helping People. Check out the picture Mr. Fausnaught took of Mr. Johnson and myself after we finished presenting at yesterday's workshops. Mr. Fausnaught has really been working on building up his skills with digital images. Thanks Mr. F.

I can't wait for Monday. Remember parents if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me or any member of the Seventh Grade Team.

Vacation

It's hard to believe that school starts in a little over a week. It seems like just yesterday I was talking with students about their summer vacation plans. Here are some pictures from our vacation to the beach below. Where did you go for vacation this summer?

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox