I like Thursdays

So... Thursday is my busiest day of the week. I start it off by teaching 4 periods in a row, which is quite tough. But... the first two periods are with 7A, the class that I struggle the most with. It urns out that they acan be taught in the morning hours. I have less luck with that task in the afternoons, especially Friday's last two periods.

So today, I handled them all by myself. We did the coordinate plane, and plotted points. They were great! And, to top it all off, m principal came in during this time to observe me and the class. I couldn't have felt more proud. They were all working, and working hard. I felt amazing.

It is beginning to get colder in NYCity. It was 43 degrees this morning. I wore my mittens, but didn't really need to. I still haven't really turned my heat on in my apartment. I do cook once a day and that sometimes warms the apartment up tooooo much, so I have the window open right now.

I feel very busy still, but I feel like I can manage the work load. We have parent teacher conferences next week. I have kept up with the work on coordinating this very large adventure.

I'm going to go watch some Patriot football. Enjoy the weekend. Oh... Scott showed me how to get to the mall from my apartment. It's two buses and 15 minutes of a ride. Don't know if that was a smart thing to show me... We'll have to see. Although... now I can find the movie theaters too.

If you had been in my school today...

I saw 7th grade students moved to tears while they watched Barak Obama's acceptance speech. I hear the kids say things like, "I love this country." "See, we can be anything." I heard kids talking ALL day about the election. When we put up the Thank You list on the board, they insisted Obama be the first name written down. They also wanted McCain's name on the detention list. They asked everyone who they had voted for. They also were exctatic. They had stayed up until 3am in some cases to go out into the streets of Harlem to celebrate in a celebration that was most like New Years Eve. The city was amazing with the energy this morning as people got onto the subway.

I am so happy I was here to see and hear this excitement. Some of our students will be voting in 4 years. They know it, and they are already planning to vote for Barak Obama! wow!

Being In NY City during a Historic Moment

Yesterday Mr. Obama was elected the next president of the United States. I witnessed lines for voting that were 1 to 2 hour waits. I saw people snaked around city corners with people waiting to vote. I also saw the large parties in Harlem and Time Square that looked like New Years Eve celebrations.

So today I will make sure the students understand how and why the president elect needed 270 votes to win. It will be a lesson about finding a number of the whole.

The students will be excited. They've been asking my politics for weeks. They are very tuned into the political stage.

Video of CAS singing the School Song

Lyrics to song they are singing

When you're at C. A. S. you will achieve,
Your goals in math, science, and history.
We are the school that is right on the top
Higher and higher, we just can't be stopped

(chorus)
Community Action School!
Our colors are white and blue.
We're keepin' our eyes on the prize,
So you betta recognize!

(repeat chorus)

For service we go to help other schools
Help little shorties to follow the rules
We work with people both young and old.
The teachers are diamonds, the students are gold.

(chorus)

Halloween Part III

Halloween Part II

Halloween Pictures