National Bugs Bunny Day on April 30th commemorates the date the famous bunny first appeared in a short film in 1938. 

Take a break from your learning and watch a compilation of Bugs Bunny clips.

Inventions are created to make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient.  This is true with all things Google as well.  However, if given the option, most things can be used in a way that they were not intended.  Today I would like to make you aware of one needed piece of software, Google Docs, and how it has become one of the favorite chat tools for students.

Students are faking out teachers and parents alike by "meeting" in Google Docs and using the built in editing/reviewing functions to have "Chats".  They are doing this during class, when they are supposed to be doing homework, and yes, some of our students are doing it now during Distance Learning.

Now is a great opportunity for us as parents to build our toolbox of skills in this digital age, because it will only getting harder.  When your child is working on assignments, stop by and peer over their shoulder.  Ask them what they are working on and then actively read their work.  But, you can't stop there, you have to check to see what other tabs or screens they may have open, but hidden from view.  Non of the assignments to date have required collaboration, so if you look at the top of their Google files, and you see additional circles representing other users in the file...look closely!  Click on the comments button.  Check the work on the page.  Parenting, just like learning, is an active process and we must be proactive in our approach to keeping kids safe, on task, and moving in the right direction.

Read more about it on The Altantic website.
​

We are 6 weeks into being at home, and we have 6 weeks more of Distance Learning.
First, thank you to the 12-15 students that are connecting every day, completing the Morning Share, connecting with me on Zoom for help, and working hard on their work.  Remember, the grades in the gradebook on March 13 will be final grades for semester, unless work is being done during this time to help raise grades.

In order for us to have success in best preparing students for next year, we all must do our part to ensure that everyone is doing their part.  Here are some of the things I am doing to ensure this success:

• I have changed my Office Hours to 9:00am to 11:00am.
  • If you need help, have a question, or just want to check-in and say hi...I am there.
• We will be having a class Zoom every Friday at 1:00 PM.
• I will continue to check math exit tickets in GoFormative daily and give feedback.
  • Students MUST return to GoFormative and look for their feedback if they missed something on their work; this is the only way that learning will happen.
• The Distance Learning Gradebook is updated two times per week.
• I will continue to use Remind as our main way of communicating.

Check the Planbook Daily: PlanBook (Note time of tomorrow's Zoom Meeting)

Today is World Book and Copyright Day.  The first ever World Book Day was celebrated on April 23, 1995. The date is also also the death and birth anniversary of William Shakespeare, a world famous author.  This event is hosted yearly by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

If your are a "Book Worm" or "Lifelong Learner" like me, head over to UNESCO's website and take a look around.  One very interesting page is the "Memory of the World Register"which presents material that has "world significance and outstanding universal value"  https://en.unesco.org/programme/mow/register.  The material is from around the world.

Take a moment on this day, find ANYTHING to read, sit down as a family and enjoy the power of the written word.

Happy Earth Day,2020.  Take time today to step outside and make a positive impact on the environment: pull some weeds, plant a flower, plant a tree, pick up trash, or just soak in some rays.

Cool activities happening today:​

1. Code.org CODE Break with Bill Gates at 10:00 AM: https://code.org/
2. The Story of Plastic on Discovery Channel at 2:00pm:  https://www.storyofplastic.org/
3. Mr. Cross will be available from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM in Zoom.

Be safe.  Show compassion for each other and the environment.