The elementary classroom was Superbowl crazy this week! First, students split into small groups to plan a trip to Superbowl XLVI (which they can now tell you means 46). They had to find plane tickets, a hotel, dining options and, of course, tickets to the big game. This project involved a great deal of team work, math skills (4 operations, currency, elapsed time), practice using the new classroom computer, the ability to read maps and much more. After adding everything together, the cheapest trip to Superbowl XLVI came in at just under $7000!

We looked at  pictures of past superbowl tickets and discussed the pictures on each. Each ticket has illustrations that represent the city where the superbowl is taking place. We made a list of things that might be depicted on a ticket if the Superbowl were to come to Maine. Students then designed their own ticket. Many tickets showed moose or lobster holding the trophy and one student turned Katahdin into the trophy!

Students were given rosters for both the Patriots and the Giants. This was the perfect opportunity to introduce mean, median and mode. Students went right to work adding, dividing, and sequencing. For the New England Patriots, the mean age is 26, the median is 26 and the mode is 25. Ask your student to explain how they got theses answers.

Despite all of this football madness, we did manage to find time for regularly scheduled lessons. I can’t wait to see everyone for parent night on Febraury 8th at 5:00. The students are eager to be the teachers for the night and let you be the student. It’s going to be great fun!

Art students participated in a group critique on Friday. They have been working very hard on still life drawing.

Josh demonstrates point of view to a group of 3rd years.

4th year students continue to do line and size comparisons in geometry.

2nd year students have been using artwork around the classroom for creative writing prompts.

We began studying limericks this week. Students read several examples by Edward Lear, Rudyard Kipling and Lewis Carroll. They chose some favorites to illustrate. We discussed the rhyme & rhythm patterns found in this style of poetry. Next week students will write their own limericks.

Showing a little New England pride!