See the World with Sparks

In Homeroom, we discussed the importance of Passing on the Gift. It is the motto of one of my favorite charitable organizations, Heifer International. The idea at Heifer is they provide a family in need with livestock and give them the training necessary to raise the livestock. The gift provides a family with food as well as a way to make a living. The family in turn promises to give the offspring of their gift to another family in need. Thus...passing on the gift. To learn more, go to http://www.heifer.org/ Each child in my Advisory has been given $30 to choose a gift to pass on to a family in need. They may chose from llamas, ducks, chicks, a cow, rabbits or a variety of other livestock gifts to pass on.  Check out the video below: Alton Brown Video: Heifer's work around the world Heifer.org I hope the children enjoy passing on the gift and I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

It's that time of year again!  Eubanks Intermediate School will have the honor of participating in the National Geographic Bee.  All 5th and 6th graders will participate as the preliminary rounds will be conducted in our Social Studies classrooms.  We will have a class winner and then a team winner.  The 8 team winners will compete in January for the EIS Championship. For more information, including sample questions, quizzes and study tips, check out the link below.  National Geographic Bee

On Sunday December 4, I will be running the White Rock Marathon.  This will be marathon #10 and as I always do, I have 3 goals.  The first is just to finish!  Running 26.2 miles is really tough even if you have done it before.  My second goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon again which means I have to finish in less than 3 hours and 55 minutes.  My last goal is a BIG one.  If I am feeling good and the weather cooperates, I would like to run a PR (personal record) which is the fastest I have ever run a marathon.  I need to finish in less than 3 hours 43 minutes and 11 seconds to get a PR.  My bib number is #2934.  The race will be shown on WFAA Channel 8 from 8 am to 11 am or you can check out the website.  Remember to send me LOTS of energy Sunday morning!! http://www.runtherock.com/ .

Google Earth is an exciting way to explore the world!  Check out the link below for a free download. http://www.google.com/earth/index.html Let me know what you find by commenting on this post.  Happy Exploring!!!!!

Click on the link below to see a culture presentation showing the Five Fields of Social Studies. Way to go Ryan!!! Culture Presentation

I am so glad you are in my class.  I look forward to exploring the world with you!  Parents, please make sure you have updated Skyward with your current information including e-mail addresses and phone numbers.  You can also send me any changes on the  Parent Information Sheet .  However, this will NOT update the information that the district has.  Students, please comment on this post and tell me a little about yourself and what you did over the summer.  I would love to hear from you before school starts!

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Thanks to all of you, parents and students, it has been an awesome school year!  I appreciate all of the thoughtful gifts and cards you brought the past couple of days!  I can't wait to go shopping  :) My first adventure this summer is a backpacking trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  After that, I am not sure....maybe Spain, maybe India or maybe I will stay home and read a few good books.  I'm sure I will climb a mountain or two along the way.  I hope you all  have a very relaxing, yet fun-filled summer.  Good luck at Dawson Middle School or wherever you are headed next school year.  Come visit me when you can.

On Thursday, several students got down and dirty! We planted 10 Ponderosa Pine saplings near our outdoor classroom as part of the Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees program. Great job kids!!!!

Watashi-tachi ga aisuru Nippon o sapoto.  Artwork by: Alina N.  Great job, Alina!!!

Children in developing countries often grow up barefoot. Many are not allowed to attend school without shoes and they are often injured or exposed to harmful minerals, which can lead to serious medical conditions. On April 5th and 6th you will have the opportunity to go barefoot during social studies class to help raise awareness of what children in developing countries face everyday. While it might sound like fun to go without shoes during class, think about what it would be like if you had to go barefoot for miles while you walk to school, get clean water or find medical help. Click here for more information:  A Day Without Shoes .  Go to Events, Find an Event, Barefoot Learning at Eubanks, if you would like to sign up.

Many thanks to our wonderful school board!!!   We appreciate the time, effort and dedication you give to provide our children with the best possible education.   It takes a very special person to volunteer to serve on the school board and we appreciate all of you!!  

Congratulations to Mallory N., Carey M., Joe D., Alex C., Edward H., Austin S. and Emory G. for participating in the final competition of the EIS National Geography Bee!  And special congratulations to our EIS winner Alex C!!!!  Awesome job!