40 Book Challenge!

Today, we kicked off the 40 Book Challenge for 5th graders! Teachers and students, alike, accepted the challenge to complete 40 books in various genres by the end of the school year. It's not a question of IF they will finish, but WHEN they will turn the last page on that 40th book. 

Everyone will keep track of their books by genre and number with the following sheets. In case you were wondering, yes, our theme is bowling this year!!

Students will move their bowling pin from one section to the next as they increase the number of books they have completed. These challenge boards will live in the each of the pods, so that we can all see the progress being made. 

 Here's to a long weekend and knocking out the first 2 books toward the 40!

First Days

The first day back was busy, full of smiles, and fun! So much fun, in fact, that I didn't find the time to post until today...the second day of school. Mrs. Palmer and Mr. Jenks got the year off to a comedic start while introducing new faculty and students and the theme for the year: gratitude.

I have a lot to be thankful for, but I don't always take the time to let those around me know how much they mean. I plan on doing a better job of writing notes and telling people in person or on the phone when I have the chance. I sent my first notes yesterday and I  think it made me feel as good as the people I sent them to. A kind word or note can make all the difference in the quality of a day for me, so it would be nice to maybe turn a day around for someone else.

When you think about it, life is simply a long line of individual days, so we might as well make the most of them. As for the coming days of this school year, I can't wait for all of the learning and memories that will take place. It's going to be a good school-year!

Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead

Georges (that S is silent), named after Georges Seurat, a French artist, is a loner. The name certainly doesn’t help. He finds somewhat of a place after meeting Safer, a boy who lives in the same apartment complex as him. Safer gives Georges the mission of uncovering the mystery that is Mr. X, a man that has been observed to lead people into his apartment, but never lead them out. Georges jumps in feet first. Being a detective of sorts offers much needed distraction from the fact that he rarely sees his Mom due to her odd hours at the hospital, he doesn’t have much of a place at school, and his Dad’s job prospects are few and far between.

Though, Liar & Spy lacked any real surprises, it does make us question how far we should go for a friend and how much we should ask of our friends. It’s good to realize that we all perceive situations, relationships, and stories differently based on our previous experiences and personalities. So, sometimes the mystery is not quite as dense as once thought. At times, the mystery is us.