Hoping your vacation is going well

As I sit here listening to reports of an impending snow storm (what's a snow storm?), I am hoping that this note finds everyone having enjoyed the first half of their holiday break. While not spectacular, the weather has been accommodating so far, especially for those who like outdoor activities, like dog walking!! I'm sure many of the skiers and riders in the class will be out on the slopes as the northern resorts are off to a great start this year. Be safe and have fun. You CAN do both, if you use your head.

We finished up right before break by having a Yankee Book Swap. It took the kids awhile to get into the swing of it as very little "swapping" went on for the first 8-9 students, but then the flood-gates opened and they got into the swapping aspect of the activity. The kids seemed to enjoy it and it was a great way to kick off vacation. I hope everyone is at least trying the book that they received in the swap.

Please enjoy the rest of your break and have a Happy New Year celebration. When we get back we'll have lots to do so be sure to include rest in your vacation itinerary.

Heredity Final

Thought we would try something new, so the class will be "taking" their Heredity final on the iPad this year. Each student will be creating a presentation on the Educreation App that will demonstrate their knowledge of the vocabulary, how to use a Punnett Square, and the role that chance plays in the inheritance of traits. These are great tools for each student to demonstrate his/her proficiency in just about any subject but especially when a visual tool such as the Punnett Square is involved. Plus it is FUN!

Music Day @ Proctor

On Thursday, the Proctor School band and chorus had an opportunity to perform in front of LIVE audiences. As usual, the band, under the direction of Mr. Zajas, delivered an outstanding, albeit short, performance for the entire school. They performed a variety of music that showcased their talents perfectly. By the spring this will be a well oiled machine, as usual.

Following the Advanced Band was the Jazz Band. They played one of my all-time favorites, Rainbow Connection, from the Muppet Movie. All it was missing was Kermit the Frog. Well done!

On Thursday evening, the Proctor School Chorus had their first concert of the year. What the chorus lacked in size, they made up for with enthusiasm as they entertained the audience with songs of the season. As a member of the chorus in high school, I'm hoping to see the chorus continue to grow as the years pass by as it is a great experience for all involved. Nice job!

Mythmasters

On Thursday, the 5th grade students, and teachers, were lucky enough to witness the yearly visit of the Mythmasters (http://yamass.org/index.php/programs/theatre/mythmasters/) to the Proctor School. This two person show entertains and teaches the 5th grade about Greek Mytyhology in a unique and humorous style. Lindsay Flathers and Anthony Cascio have the kind of onstage chemistry that had 5th graders and adults mesmerized as they regaled us with a humorous, modern take on three Greek myths.

The program starts with Anthony and Lindsay informing the students about what myths are, why they were created, and how they were passed down over the past couple thousand years. They do a great job preparing the students for what they will be seeing while also getting the students involved with some give and take.

Introduction

They then move on to the myth of Pheaton and Helios where they start to introduce some of the masks and costumes that are prevalent throughout the presentation. They conclude this myth, and the two following stories, with reasons why this particular myth was created and what it was trying to explain.

Phaeton and Helios

The next myth, the popular Echo and Nacissus, really had the audience in stitches. The actors played multiple roles and their comedic timing was impeccable. The props were simple, yet effective, and the costumes and masks were a laugh riot. Mime was also used in a clever way in this myth.

Echo and Nacissus

Anthony and Lindsay ended their presentation with the myth, Orpheus and Eurydice. Puppetry and continued changing of roles on the fly made this a fast-paced entertaining presentation, and the audience was even asked to participate with various movements, such as the wave and tree swaying. It was a great way to finish up.

Orpheus and Eurydice



 It is said that if a show is a hit then the audience should be left wanting more. I can guarantee that that is how this audience of 5th graders felt on Thursday. These two actors have been coming to Proctor School for several years now and each year the show is better and better. Hilarious doesn't begin to describe the presentation, yet they are also incredibly informative. If you haven't had the chance to have these performers come to your school you are missing 1 1/2 hours of the most entertaining, informative, and memorable time your students will have this year. I can't recommend them highly enough. Try 'em, you'll love 'em.

Arabiqa with Karim Nagi

On Tuesday, December 11th, the entire student body at Proctor was entertained AND educated by Mr. Karim Nagi as he visited our school to inform us about some of the music and instruments that one might find in the Arab cultures around the world in his one-man show called Arabiqa. Mr. Nagi, a very talented musician, had the students spellbound as he played several instruments and danced while also informing us as to the history of the music and events that it might be played at. The students were asked to say the instrument names and Mr. Nagi even wrote the names  in his native language.

After being entertained by Mr. Nagi's music and dance, he had the students participate in a dance while he performed music. The students were really engaged in this activity and it was a great way for the hour-long presentation to conclude. This was a great presentation and a wonderful way for the students to learn more about a culture that we hear about frequently but don't really have the opportunity to learn much about. Hopefully, this will become an annual visit by Mr. Nagi.

 

 

Crazy Creatures Part 2 and the week ahead

As we finished up the Crazy Traits portion of our heredity unit, the class got together to create a second generation Crazy Creature from the first generation creatures seen in the previous post. We were able to compare these offspring with their parents to see which traits were given by which parent and to see which parent the offspring favored the most. The class also got to see what role chance plays in our trait inheritance.

Looking ahead, this week REPORT CARDS will be sent home on Monday. Inside each report card will be a letter that explains the reasoning behind the new standard based report cards and what they mean to families in town. Also, you will find your confirmation note for your report card conference. Please remember that we only have 20 minutes to complete these conferences and I will try my best to stay on schedule. If we feel that more time is needed, we can get together during another time at a later date.

Thursday and Friday will be early release days due to conferences. Students will be dismissed at 12 noon and lunches will not be served.

On Friday we will be assessed on Chapter 3 in Math. We have been working hard on adding and subtracting unlike fractions, changing fractions into decimal form, and word problems, and I think everyone is ready to show what they know.