Zoom/STEAM/Overdue/Bookfair

Great job transitioning back to the world of the virtual! I've enjoyed connecting with your classes. I had 19 Zoom sessions with classes this week. I think Stephanie enjoys hearing the kids but could use less of me talking! If you're looking for a way to relax tonight, check out "Christmas with the Darlings" premiering on Hallmark at 7:00. And have those bingo cards at the ready. 

Zoom feature spotlight
In case you didn't know, you have the option to show only part of your screen while sharing. When you get the popup to choose what screen you'd like to share, choose the advanced options at the top. Then you can choose "portion of screen". You'll get a window that you can enlarge/shrink and move around the screen. A good way to limit what they see at one time, such as when showing a Youtube video. Try it out!

Cedar Ridge STEAM activities
We launched our first round of activity kits this week. We had 39 students submit a request and was able to fill 30 orders. I should have told them to only submit the form one time. I think Aven wins the award for submitting the same request the most times (4)! I enrolled those students in the CRE STEAM course where they can submit videos of their work. We've received several thank you's from parents already and I got live Zoom shoutouts by many students today. So that's good. 

Overdue Books Update
Stephanie has been working diligently this week to directly message every family through Seesaw about overdue books. Currently we have a shade over $4,100 in books out. I know. Not pretty. Families have been told to drop them off during the school day and have been given replacement costs. I'll run a "book buy back" event in December during the evening and try to throw some incentive at them. We'd appreciate any reminders you can give your class.

Book Fair
The book fair is all wrapped up. We sold about $1500 worth of books which isn't too shabby. That will bring the school about $400 to purchase books for the library. I don't have an ETA on delivery right now, but will pass along that information when I get the shipment notification.

Have a great weekend and Thanksgiving Break!

It's not quite that time of year, but it's something you might need

In Jake's class today, a student said I was like the Santa Claus of the library. So in the spirit of giving, I'm putting out my world famous Christmas movie list and bingo games today. I'd say "early" but movies started weeks ago. And it's been a welcome break from news coverage. I hope it can bring you a little joy this season.

But first, Cedar Ridge STEAM kits

I've now introduced the new Cedar Ridge STEAM kits to all classes. Checkouts will officially begin tomorrow afternoon. I'll send out a school announcement via Seesaw with a short summary and links to reserve kits. Judging from reactions in class, I think they'll be a hit. But we'll see.

And now library books...

We will continue placing holds for books in Destiny. As of now, pickup days for library books will be Thursday and Friday from 8:30 to 3:00. Families will be notified that books are ready for their child and they can ring the doorbell to get the books (or STEAM kit). At this point, we will not be browsing like we did earlier in the year when the weather was nice.

And what you really came here for:

Matt's Definitive List and Rankings of Christmas Movies

Yes, the rankings are accurate. If you have a problem with a ranking, don't @ me, make your own list! 2020 movies are highlighted in green and new Netflix movies are highlighted in red. 

Matt's Christmas Bingo Game (that Hallmark later ripped off. I'm not bitter)

Tweet a picture of you playing bingo to enter for a chance to win absolutely nothing. 

Have a great weekend!

It's good to be back! (I swear I wrote that title before the news)

I enjoyed my third "first day" of the school year this week! Looks like I'll get my
fourth on Thursday. Lots of good stuff this week. And next week's blog will feature my world famous Christmas movie spreadsheet and bingo game. Just a teaser of what's to come!

Library Checkouts
It was so fun to get back into classes this week. Thank you for giving me some slack as I spend 14 minutes in your room. I will plan to Zoom into your classes next week. If you are a Friday checkout class, please contact me to reschedule. I really want to make sure everyone hears about the....

Cedar Ridge STEAM program
Next week I'll be talking to your classes during checkout time about a new program that we'll launch on the 16th. It's called "Cedar Ridge STEAM" and it's a way for students to check out materials to use at home. Here's how it works:

• Visit the Cedar Ridge STEAM website
• Look around to see what kits interest you
• Use the order for to reserve a kit
• I'll bring them to the student or if virtual, parents will have to come pick up
• Students will have a week with the kit
• Once reserved, I'll place the students in a SeeSaw course where they will upload pictures or videos of their work
• Once the kit is returned and the work is uploaded, students will get a commemorative pin

Check out the site so you can see what's available. I'll be looking to add more kits as the year progresses.

Story Walk
I've started working on adding a Story Walk to the Cedar Ridge grounds. We would be able to add different picture books and activities to a series of stations that students can visit while walking the path. Another fun way to get kids reading and outside! I'd love to get it going in the next month. Yes, it'll be cold, but kids can go outside in the cold! 

Chicken Coop revisited
For those of you who are new to our school, last year 2/3 of 5th grade was challenged to research and design a chicken coop. Mr. Higgins' class, the first to start the project, started building the coop which is located in the courtyard outside of Ms. Roetemeyer's classroom. Of course we weren't able to finish it before the year was cut short. The plan is to have chickens onsite this spring. Look for updates over the winter as to how your class can help with the care and learning involved with taking care of chickens! We also hope to have students build planter boxes and benches this spring for that courtyard, COVID willing. Should be fun! 

Have a great weekend!