Keeping the kids engaged

The opportunities for learning here in Merton are quite impressive.  I'm not going to name the opportunities for two reasons- the list is long and I'll more than likely forget something.  I know last week that I told you not to count the days remaining but to make the remaining days count.  It can't be any more important than right now.  Make sure the students are engaged, and show that you are engaged, too.  They can tell.  If you act like you don't care, they will act like they don't care, too.  Then the only thing you're doing is dealing with behaviors.  Those are the longest and most trying days for me.  If the learning activity isn't working, make sure that you have a backup activity waiting in the wings.  In these final days, those backup activities can be just the thing to get the students back on track and keep your day more positive.

Calendar
Monday, May 16th            Interviews 4:15PM
Tuesday, May 17th            Rachelle's shower 8:00AM
Wednesday, May 18th      Staff meeting with Ron 7:45AM
                                            Culver's Night 4:00-8:00PM
                                            BLT meeting 4:15PM
Thursday, May 19th         A-team meeting 1:30-3:30PM
Friday, May 20th              4th grade transition 1:00-2:15PM

Tweets, quotes, and blogs
"You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser.  You are what you make yourself be."- Lou Holtz, athlete and coach
"When we fail, our pride supports us; when we succeed, it betrays us."- Charles Caleb Colton, cleric and writer
"Try to keep your mind open to possibilities and your mouth closed on matters that you don't know about.  Limit your 'always' and your 'nevers'."- Amy Poehler, entertainer

(from @TedHiff- real name, Ted Huff)

"If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive."- Dale Carnegie, writer and lecturer
"Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will all be judged by only one thing--the result."- Vince Lombardi, coach
"The only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks."- Mark Zuckerberg, entrepreneur

(from Jen- She's always thinking of me and you!)

"You live but once; you might as well be amusing."- Coco Chanel, fashion designer
"Just when you think it can't get any worse, it doesn't--it gets better."- Stuart Hacking, writer

(from Pinterest)

"Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle."- Napolean Hill, writer
@mertonint on Twitter
#mertonint on Twitter
Merton Intermediate Facebook page
Presentation for student assembly 5.11.16
Presentation for staff meeting 5.11.16
Family smore for 5.13.16

Do you like TED Talks?
If you like TED Talks, here is a website that helps you create a lesson around a TED Talk.  My good friend Geniene, of Kentucky and 10000 day celebration fame, shared this link on Twitter.  Might be something fun to try out this month.

3 reminders
#1.  Please be in the hallways before and after school and during any passing times.  Being visible helps our students make better decisions.
#2.  Fire drill some time this morning.
#3.  Please be in the hallways before and after school and during any passing times.  Being visible helps our students make better decisions.

I hope you can stop by after school tonight.  I'll be there until 5:20 and then it's off to Father/Daughter dance practice.
Have a great weekend.
Jay
Take care of our kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell