Each year we set aside a time to celebrate our earth. Earth Day is observed on April 22. In class we’ve talked about the impact we have on Earth and how making responsible choices will help Earth’s resources last longer.

What changes will you make in your life so that your “footprint” on Earth won’t be too deep or wide?

We’ve been studying all about our great state of Georiga. From the highest mountain peak, Brasstown Bald, to the largest swamp, the Okefenokee, Georgia has it all!

What special facts do you know about Georgia? Share them with us here.

My students responded to these questions this week: What is love? Where is love found?
Here are some of the “sweet” responses I received:

“Love is found where my Nana lives. My Nana has a bunch of love for her whole family, especially for me. I enjoy going over to her house. No only is she my Nana, she’s my friend. She teaches me how to cook. Most of the time we are like playing board games or something like that. I enjoy spending time with her even if we do nothing.” Chase

“Love is a strong feeling between someone or something. Love is when you want to spend time with someone and you would do anything for them. Love is found at home with your family, with friends, at school, and at church. Love is found anywhere with people you care. One of the known holidays for love is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s is when you give out nice cards that say, “Be Mine.” Reagan

Our class finally received our long-awaited SMARTBoard! If you aren’t familiar with this technology, the students can explain it best. I’ve heard them say this new board really is smart. It can do things that a normal chalkboard or dry-erase board cannot. The past couple of days have been filled with us trying our hands (literally) at this new technology in our classroom. With my instructional technology background, I should have known to document the students’ reactions. I did take a few pictures of them using it the first day. However, their genuine enthusiasm has really shined through in what they’ve said about our SMART classroom. Some of the quotes from them I can remember are:
“This is better than Disney World!”
“Could we please do thirty mulitplication problems instead of fifteen?”
“Can we stay in during recess and work with the board?”
“Time sure has gone by fast today.”
“I actually like math now.”
“Can I get one of these things for my room at home?”
Anyone who has been a first-hand witness in our room these last few days will definitely agree with me when I say a thirst for knowledge is priceless! We’ve cheered each other on for our academic successes and given each other the courage to be risk-takers. This is what teaching is all about!

Now that 2007 has come to an end, what was one accomplishment that you are proud of? What do you hope to accomplish in 2008?

This time of year there is magic in the air! I’ve heard so many elf stories from my students. Although this is a busy time of year for elves, they seem to have plenty of time for mischief. Treat yourelf to an elfmorphosis. Don’t you make a cute little elf?

Pretend that you really do get to be an elf for a day. What kind of fun would you have? Give us details of the mishief you would get in to.

The United States has many symbols of national pride. We have the Bald Eagle, the Flag, the White House, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, and Mount Rushmore just to name the ones we researched.

Which symbol do you think best represents our country and why?

Have you ever been inside of an old jail? Have you ever been inside a building that’s over 200 years old? Our class did those two things and much more on our trip to Oconee County Courthouse and Eagle Tavern. We were able to see firsthand how our local government works as well as appreciate the changes in our community from its beginnings.

What was your favorite part of the trip? What part will you never forget?

With Thanksgiving just a week away, it’s time to reflect on the things that mean the most to us. There are so many…

What are you thankful for? Why?

November 1st marked the celebration of National Family Literacy Day. However, since this idea is so important, it is often celebrated throughout the entire month of November. Here at MBES, we are joining in on the celebration through daily trivia questions, the author visit from Michael Finklea, and Family Literacy Night on the 29th.

The students and I looked at the celebrity READ posters. We noted the ones framed in our school and also looked at newer ones on the web. (The class favorite was definitely Corbin Bleu!) We decided to make our own read posters that are currently posted outside our classroom. Please come by and take a look. Along with the posters picturing us holding our favorite books, we included mini book reviews so that people know why we chose our books. Here’s what we wrote about our books:

mrs-mccullers.jpgOne of my favorite books is Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. One of the reasons I like this book so much is because the main character is a dog, and I have a passion for dogs! Another reason this book is a good read is because of all the different characters you find in it. From and old blind woman to a weird guitar player, you will find some character to relate to in the book. I love to read this book out loud to my classes so that I can use a different voice for each character. Each time I read it, I still find it interesting and hard to put down. Get your paws on this book as fast as you can!
Mrs. McCullers

My favorite book is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I like lots of the Harry Potter books because they all have very good characters like Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid. Some of the characters try to do lots of dangerous things. I like them because they all have good magic tricks and other things like chocolate frogs. I also think all of the dangerous things they do are so cool. I think it is a very good book. I sometimes want to read it again.
Allison

My favorite book is called Pokemon. It has all Pokemons. It talks about them. They’re all cool.
Antoine

One of my favorite books is The Mystery at the Crooked House by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I love this book because I love mystery books. The characters are kind of funny. I like the serious parts too. If you like mystery books, I recommend this book.
Chase

If you read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you will see it is very funny. You will also see it is full of funny characters like Greg, Menny, Rodrick, Mom, and Dad. Get ready for a great book!
Christian

My favorite book is Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. The author is J.K. Rowling. My favorite character is Hermione. The spells are pretty cool too. The first part is pretty scary. It was his dream. Harry is one of my favorite characters. I think Ron is pretty funny how he embarrasses himself. Some things are dangerous, like fighting a dragon. Harry’s name comes out of the goblet of fire. He did not even put his name in. Who did? Find out in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Emily

One of my favorite books is Beast Quest because it is a fantastic mystery book. It is really cool how the characters talk. The beast is really interesting. That’s what makes me like it. He’s green, has one eye, and very big. I have a metal that matches it.
Finn

My favorite book is Sea Rescue. I love the pictures. It is not too short or too long. I can read the words. One of the other reasons I like it is because if I am on a boat and it is sinking, I know I will be saved. So, save yourself and get this book!
Ian

My favorite book is called On Halloween Night by Harriet Ziefert. I like it because it has rhyming words, and I read it on Halloween night. There is one more reason why I picked my book. It’s because the girl is a witch just like me!
Jacy

My favorite book is High School Musical because it is good for us to read. It is a good book because it has interesting characters in it. I love all of High School Musical books and movies.
James

I like Shelter Dogs because it reminds me of when I chased Scarlet. It’s amazing how the dogs always end up in the Humane Society Center. Then the next thing you know they live in a house with people that love them and care for them. You better get your paws on this book. Then you might want to go to the Humane Society center and get a dog.
Jennifer

My favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. It is a fun book to read. One reason I like this book is some of it is comic and some of it is words. Did you know Diary of a Wimpy Kid is going to be a five book series? I can’t wait to read the others.
Nick

My favorite book is The Bad Beginning created by Lemony Snickit. I like this book because Sunny bites and says funny words, Violet is cool, and Clause likes to read books just like me! When Count Olav adopts them they figure out it is a bad beginning for them. One morning Count Olav took Sunny, one of the Baudalair children. Can you believe a child gets stolen? In a cage Sunny waits and when Violet tries to save Sunny, she gets hooked on and gets trapped in the dusty room with her brother Clause. Until the marriage, they’re all trapped in there and when it is time she meant to sign it with her left hand instead of her right hand. Count Olav runs away. So while he’s gone they live with Mr. Poe. If you want to find out the rest of the story, I suggest to get hooked on this book.
Raneem

My favorite book is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. It’s the best book I ever read! It’s so funny. I love the magic too, and you never know when Harry’s going to get caught with Ron and Hermione. So, I suggest you cast a spell on this book.
Reagan

One of my favorite book series is A To Z Mysteries. I like it because it is like a big mystery. They all go together. The first one is The Absent Author. Then it goes from A to Z. There are three detectives solving mysteries . Did I mention they are kids? The author is Ron Roy.
Wyatt

I like The Spiderwick Chronicles. They make you read more and more.
Jacob

If you could have your own READ poster, what book would you be holding? Why?