It just so happens that today is Homecoming. The energy is palpable in our middle school hallways! Our district high school is just across the street, and we are invited to participate in events such as the Homecoming Parade and school spirit day. Everyone is very excited (and maaaaaybe struggling to focus on schoolwork?) What a great end to Week 4! Here are a few more highlights from the week:

1. Guess the Reader Revealed! Our contest has come to an end, so I switched up the Guess the Reader board to reveal the answers. I gotta say, the students have actually had a lot of fun with this mystery game. The 4 winners have selected books from their respective wish lists, and I will order and deliver them by next week.

2. Workshop Folders – Each of my students has a hanging file folder to keep their writing pieces and other important documents. This week, I gave each student a manila folder and invited them to decorate it with anything at all about reading and/or writing. They could choose favorite books, authors, quotes, characters, genres, etc. Even kids who claimed, “But I don’t read” had plenty of ideas for decorating their own workshop folders. I think they turned out great. At the end of the year, they will take their folders home with them and, hopefully, on to their freshman year of high school across the street.

3. The False Prince – I finished reading The False Prince this week. It wasn’t my favorite book ever, but it was an interesting read. At times, it was quite predictable and felt a bit forced, but somewhere around the last third of the book, new twists were revealed that kept the plot fresh. It was hard to feel close to the main character, Sage, who reveals very little about himself. He is mischievous, cunning, secretive, and manipulative, but also sympathetic, loyal, and honorable. If you enjoy reading mysteries about royals / aristocracy, this may be your new book!

4. Colonial Occupations – In my social studies class, we are currently researching the 13 colonies. After completing a research report on a colony, my students generated a list of occupations from the early 1700s (based on the resources and needs of each colony). Next, I had each student select an occupation and do another brief report. Finally, I am having the students look for connections between the colonies and the occupations to illustrate that every job is important, and everyone relies on each other. Noting how interconnected everything is will help them to understand the deep and lasting impact of taxation without representation and the events leading up to the American Revolution.

5. On Wisconsin! My husband and I had a great time on Saturday at the Badger game. It was very nostalgic for us as alumni – especially for my husband who played in the marching band. Of course we won, then marched down E. Johnson with the marching band, visited State Street for a bite to eat, and enjoyed genuine ice cream from the Chocolate Shoppe! How have 9 years passed already since we left Madison?

I hope you have a fantastic week, and I’d love to hear about it in the comments!