Mr. Haney's Rocking Rams Keeping up with the students in B124! 

Last week, the students got on wallwisher.com and typed in their goals for 2010. Take a look.

On Friday, our technology buddies from Mr. Murray’s second grade class paid us a visit. During our time, the 5th grade students showed the second graders some of the apps on the iPads and iPod Touches. Next, we had a class competition on Pop Math. A great math app where students have to pop a matching answer to a problem. Example, a balloon has the equation 4 + 5 on it and the students have to find the matching 9 numbered balloon. When they make a match, it pops both balloons. You win by popping all the balloons on the screen and you move to the next level. To finish the lesson, the students created their own martians and gave them names. It was a great way to end a great week. My students are already looking forward to next Friday’s meeting.

The students started out by using the iPad to get a close look at plant and animal cells.

Next, the students used materials from home and class to create their own animal cell.

With the help of the iPad and yesterday’s lesson, the students created their own army of animal cells. Who says technology and art can’t co-exist!

Here is the video ORAU’s great staff made of the reveal.

Today we received letters from our friends who live in Tibanga, Philippines. With all the technology in the class, it was nice to get a envelope full of handwritten letters from across the world. The envelope also had a postcard from the tallest water in their city, Maria Cristina Falls. The students loved reading them and we are looking forward to writing our letters tomorrow.  The students are going to find the school and the waterfall on Google Earth, and we are going to make video clip of our school to send back to them. Below is a video that was sent from Mrs. Aringoy’s 4th – 6th grade class.

phillip kids 1

Even though it was only a half day, it was a great first day of school. I have a great class and I am looking forward to the great things they will do this year. With the help of the new technology, the students really enjoyed their first day. I’m pretty sure there was not many other classrooms who got to play with iPads today. Thanks ORAU for making this one of the best and unique first days I have ever experienced.

What excites you most about fifth grade?… at AnswerGarden.ch.

Yesterday was one of the greatest days I have ever experienced not only in my teaching career but my life. The day would not have been as great without the help of ORAU’s fantastic staff, my wonderful family, and the gracious Rocky Hill volunteers. Even though most of the day is a blur, I am going to try to give an account for the memorable day.

Here is a list of my favorite moments of the day:

– From the start of the day, everyone was working hard to help make the reveal special. It reminded me of my wedding. People asking if I needed anything or if they could do something for me. People were constantly moving all around to set up decorations and stations.

– Right after everything had been set up, we had a a couple of minutes before the volunteers were going to arrive. During those minutes, I got to experience a great calmness. It was a moment I had been waiting and preparing for.  It was really nice to look around and everything was done!

– Right before the students yelled move that bus, I was frantically trying to get the oovoo (skype) to connect with my teacher friend from France, Mrs. Calard.  It was going to be the main kick-off, and it was not working. But as soon as I heard the students yell, “MOVE THAT BUS!” I realized it didn’t matter and the students would still enjoy the day. A couple of minutes later it started to work and everything went fine.

– Seeing the students’ faces as the ran in was priceless. I spent the majority of my summer either working in my room or thinking about the makeover so it was really nice to finally see the kids’ reactions.

– One of my favorite moments was just walking around the room and watching the students interact with all the different technology. I have been second guessing my decision with splitting the hardware into different types, and have been wondering if I should have gone with just all laptops. But, it all changed when I watched them play with the iPad. There is just something about it that lures people to it.

– I really enjoyed watching Dr. McIntyre and Mr. Smith playing with the students. Both men are extremely busy, and it was nice to see them relax for a moment and interact with some of the stations.

– Family! My family has been very supportive through this whole process. Espically my wife. I can not count the number of hours she has spent listening to me talk about school. She is always there to listen and give advice. She is my rock, and I was glad she was there to lean on during the day. My mother also cried about 20 times during the day.

– The TV interviews were a blast. I was extremely nervous but I enjoyed pretending to be important. When I watched the interviews later that night, it was very surreal to think that was actually me.

– It was bittersweet. I was really happy for the students to have that moment. They worked really hard and they are the ones who won that money. I was glad they got to use it for a couple of hours but it was bittersweet because it would be their last. I got to be their teacher for one more lesson and that meant the world to me.

I will be forever grateful for ORAU for giving me this day. They have already made so many of my dreams come true and the  school year doesn’t even start until next week. After yesterday, I am even more excited about this year and what we are going to do because of the gracious giving of company who truly cares about their community.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

The big reveal is finally here! On Wednesday, August 11th, Orau and I will reveal the new classroom to my last year students. We have worked very hard this summer to spend the money in the best way possible and I am very excited about the students seeing the classroom. The moment will be bittersweet though. The students will get to see all the technology they won but will only get the one day to enjoy it. Although this will be tough on them, I know these students are just as excited to see what they are giving to the future generations of Rocky Hillers. The big reveal will go down between 2 – 4 and we are asking the students to wear the shirts ORAU gave them the day we won the contest. I look forward to seeing everyone one more time before you head off on your middle school journey. One last time to be a RAM!