The big news at NPES this week is that my classroom has moved. NPE will be adding an additional kindergarten class, and my room was determined to be the best location for that class of little ones. So, we officially have a new "address" - Room 145. This former large computer lab is slowly being transformed into a wonderful TAG learning space. The students are helping to design the layout and have had some creative ideas. I like the new location - it's close to the office, the cafeteria, and the media center (and is adjacent to the 4th/5th grade hall). I'll miss our old digs, but I think we will have a fantastic learning environment. Next time you're at the school, take a look in through the window. (I must give a huge shout-out to our school secretary, Ms. Allman, and our new custodian, Patrick .... they helped me with the move SO much.)
Next week is the last week of TAG testing for the fall, and my TAG students will come for only two hours in the afternoon. I will be introducing our first units. Fifth grade will be exploring "Amusement Parks" and fourth grade will be exploring "Space."
Drum roll, please....
NPES has been selected to have a 20-minute video conference with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The event is scheduled for October 23rd - so mark your calendars. It will be broadcast live on NASA-TV. Typically, only 3-4 schools across the country are selected for this opportunity each year, and we are proud to be one of the "winners."
Students will be asked to submit their questions, and the folks in Houston and I will be choosing the questions for the event. If a student's question is selected, that student will be the one to ask the astronauts their question.
Want to start working on some good questions now? (A good question is one that cannot be googled.) Start by reading with your children about "our" crew and then ask your children what questions they have for a particular astronaut. (Hang on to those questions for now.) Start following the astronauts on Twitter and have the children generate more questions!
Randy is already on station. Mark and Joe will be launching in September.
- Randy Bresnick (Twitter handle: @AstroKomrade)
- Mark Vande Hei (Twitter handle: @Astro_Sabot)
- Joe Acaba (Twitter handle: @AstroAcaba)
A R E Y O U E X C I T E D ?