Happy Veterans Day!

Today, the fifth and sixth grade global studies students shared their appreciation for our US veterans by making cards. Many wrote poems while some simply said, "Thank you for your service!" One student said, "You are my greatest hope!" The cards will go to the Veterans Affairs Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Before making cards, we watched a short video presentation about the beginnings of Veterans Day. Now, we know that it was formerly called Armistice Day and declared so by President Warren G. Harding. After World War II, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name in order to honor all veterans of all wars.

It is so important to show our gratitude to those who serve our great country. As we read in the book of John, chapter 15, verse 13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

I Smell Books!

I love the smell of books in the morning! Who doesn't? Or..uh..I guess that's my inner teacher talking  aloud. Anyway, what better place to find, or smell, books than the Nashville Main Library!

The seventh graders will visit the Nashville Public Library on December 4th! The students will take a guided tour of the building with all of its magnificent architecture before viewing historical artifacts and photographs in the Nashville Room. The trip will wind up in the Teen Room where the kids can peruse the collections and enjoy the quiet atmosphere.

Election 2012

The happy citizens of St. Ann School experienced Election Day with great fanfare! Red, white, and blue painted the hallways...mostly due to school uniforms...with posters for presidential candidates and ballot boxes lining their paths. After learning about the platforms of the Democrat and Republican parties, students familiarized themselves with the candidates. All of the global studies classes researched President Obama and Governor Romney before weighing their electoral options!

Civics and history played large roles in our study of the presidential election. First, students learned the responsibilities of candidates and the job requirements that would have to be met if they won. Next, we analyzed and critiqued campaigns, made campaign posters, and watched clips of the debates. Then, the Electoral College was tackled.

Using a map of St. Ann, we simulated the Electoral College by assigning each classroom a certain number of electoral votes according to class population. For every five students, classrooms were assigned one vote. The US Constitution says citizens should have one representative for every 35,000 people. Today, roughly 750,000 citizens are represented by one person. Wow! We prefer our system.

After mastering the Electoral College, we analyzed projection maps created by Karl Rove, Joe Trippi, and RealClearPolitics.com. Students used the information to create their own projection maps by coloring the states red or blue, and then calculating the predicted number of electoral votes won by each candidate. (The fifth and sixth graders colored maps of St. Ann to determine the electoral votes awarded by each classroom.)

The eighth graders evaluated samples of exit polls before designing an exit poll especially for St. Ann voters. Some of the questions included, "Was your vote influenced by your parents?" "Did you vote for your candidate based on his appearance?" And, "Did being Catholic influence your vote?"

Finally, we voted! 

The results didn't exactly follow the pattern of the 50 states. Still, we are smarter, better informed, and more patriotic for performing our civic duty! We can't wait for 2016!

Election Album

Seventh Graders before voting with Tebow!

St. Ann School Polling Station

We voted!

We voted, too!

One of our projection maps is on display.

Voter intimidation! :)

Fifty States, Hooray!

The fifth grade has had a blast learning tons of facts about the fifty states of the USA! Recently, each student began an inquiry study on a favorite state. A few choices were obvious...like Matt choosing Wisconsin, Loren choosing New Jersey, and Luke choosing New York. And, Andrew selected Florida...to get on my good side. It worked! Other students had a more difficult time narrowing their selections.

After developing a list of questions and research topics, the class spent several days compiling facts, pictures, maps, etc. Once the research was complete, each student was responsible for presenting his information in a creative way to his classmates. I was so impressed with the students' ideas and motivation to create, build, and design things to show their learning!

Once the information was shared creatively, we began designing floats for a Fifty State Float Parade (happening in the hallway now). I thought the research projects were impressive. I had no idea how amazingly awesome the floats were going to be. Who knew that learning could be so much fun?!?

Check out a few pictures and a video about the "Garden State!" Don't fuhgit about it!

AR Makes Us SmARt!

The seventh grade has embarked on a new journey with Accelerated Reader. The students are committed to meeting several goals in their reading life this year. Here are few things we hope to accomplish!

First of all, it is important that students understand, or comprehend, the selections they choose. When the plots and details of a novel are interesting and relatable, reading becomes a desire. If connections are being made with literature, they will perform better on quizzes. So, the students must maintain an 85% average on reading practice quizzes which will determine if the right reading choices are being made. Next, each student has an individual point goal that should be met by the end of the school year. I divided the points by quarter so that small successes can be met along the way. (The point goals are based on an individual's ability as determined by the STAR test.) Lastly, as a class, we are working hard to read for 30 minutes every day. Developing a "habit" of reading daily ensures that students will grow into life long readers. Is there anything more important for students? Reading is the master key in life!

I encourage parents to read with their children. Some ask, "Isn't my child too old?" The answer is, "Absolutely not!" Reading aloud is a valuable tool in improving listening comprehension. Also, when parents read to, read with, or listen to a child read from a novel, your child gets the message that reading is an important component to success. Form a book club with your child. Choose a selection that interests each of you. It's also fun to choose a book that is becoming a movie. After reading the book, you can go to a movie together and discuss the likes and differences. There are many ways and opportunities in which you can encourage and show your kids the importance of reading. Find one and get to it!

Student Council Has Quality!

Today was the first time meeting with St. Ann's quality project groups. I have the honor of being the facilitator for the Student Council...for now. Soon, our fearless leader, Clare, will take over the role of meeting planner and gavel holder. The first order of business was defining the order of business. We used an agenda to keep our bodies and minds focused on the important tasks. After roll call, we discussed new business like defining our mission. The council settled on 1) helping St. Ann work toward becoming a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 2) meeting the needs of the St. Ann student body (within reason), and 3) serving the community. They are really in-tune with their constituents! The last bit of new business centered on writing a bill to be presented to the Tennessee State Legislature in May. But, first things first, the council has to define a goal. Should it be an act or a resolution? We'll list it under "open business" for our next meeting.

The final minutes of the meeting introduced new business to the council. First, nail polish should be allowed! This suggestion is sure to help us write a bill, right? Well, in fact, it will. Using suggestions for changes to the student handbook is what we will use to practice writing an act or a resolution. It's all very technical. Keep up.

Finally, President Harney called the meeting "adjourned" until next time. In the meantime, your honorable representatives will be active in the community, talking with constituents, and researching Tennessee law.

Blog entry, adjourned!

P.S. Take a look at our meeting presentation!

Nine Steps to Write a Bill