Another Happy Tuesday



Mrs Cossa in the classroom.

Every Tuesday I help with a sixth grade class. This week Mrs. Cossa said she would like me to come all day, because she had a project that needed two adults. First I told her thanks for considering me an adult, and I would love to be there. The project was a Math lesson. We made Play-Doh and had to make half a batch. The lesson was they had to figure out in fractions what the new recipe would be. Now you think making Play-Doh with sixth graders would be boring for them, but surprisingly we had a lot of fun and they liked the project. I also did some chores for Mrs. Cossa like making the word Noel in die cuts for a future project. I was requested by the students to help them in spelling and then graded their papers. I also washed all the bowls and utensils used in the Play-Doh project. Mrs. Cossa's husband is from Africa and she spent a month there on vacation. She showed some wonderful pictures, showing the Kids how they lived in small villages. I hope the Kids realize from this how good we have it here. Virginia taught school for 33 years and I hardly remember an evening at home where she didn't have schoolwork to do. My goal with Mrs. Cossa is to do as much of her busy work as I can and allow her to enjoy her family in the evening. It is a wonderful day for me and I love the Students.

The REAL Duke of Earl

I called my blog the Duke of Earl because of this song. When I wore a younger man's clothes it was a number one hit. It seemed every where I went in high school the chant of Duke...Duke... Duke would follow me. I kind of liked it because it was some attention. For awhile my nickname became Duke. After the song lost popularity it went away. But a funny thing happened in my older years, my co-workers started the chant again and it felt good. There were several artists who covered the song, but to me Gene Chandler will always be "The Duke of Earl."

An Avid Festival of The Trees 2012

My Daughter Phaedra, is an English Teacher at Hunter High School. She is responsible for a program referred to as AVID. This is a program to help, and find scholarships for students and to prepare them for College. A wonderful program with wonderful events. Each year these students are given the opportunity to Volunteer for  several  great causes. A learning experience for them, and a great help to the community. Yesterday they went to The Festival of The Trees. This event allows people to decorate trees and put them up for auction. The proceeds go to the Primary Children's Hospital a wonderful place dedicated to the healing of Children regardless of their financial situation. Many of the Trees are dedicated to young children who have passed away. All of the trees are heartfelt, beautiful and some heart wrenching, bringing you to tears. The students are given an assignment to monitor a group of trees, protecting them and to answer questions about them. This lasts for a three hour period. It is hard to stand there for three hours, so I truly admire there dedication to do this every year. I have been fortunate to be able to go with them twice. They are the greatest group of young men and women, and I am very proud to be associated with them. They all were dressed very well and the young men were handsome and the young ladies very beautiful. The beauty also radiated from the inside. A wonderful experience for me and I will always answer the call if they need me

 

These are a few of the Avid Student volunteers. Are'nt they a good looking group?

 

 



The Santa Volunteers thought I was coming to replace their Santa and were nervous that I did not have on a Santa's Suit. We straightened out who I was and they encouraged me to volunteer, which I am going to do next year.

 

 I have a long white beard, and long white hair. As I walked around the festival, it was wonderful for me to see the excitement in the little children's face's as they thought I was Santa Claus. I was stopped many times and talked to kids to the delight of their parents. I was so inspired by this, and at the encouragement of the Festival organizers, I am going to volunteer next year to participate.

Happy Tuesday

Mrs. Cossa

Tuesday is a happy day for me because I get to go and spend the afternoon with a class of sixth grade students. I like them all very much. I love the Teacher, Mrs. Cossa. It is fun to watch her deal with these kids and to attempt to keep them under control. They are wired after Thanksgiving Holiday. They are basically a great group of kids, but they are 12 years old and they have their moments. I help Mrs.Cossa with her busy work, cutting and copying. I help the students with their reading program and with their spelling. I also take individual students and have them read out loud to me. I try to encourage them that reading is very important in their lives. They can pretty much go where ever the minds can take them with reading.So all in all Tuesday is a special day to me. I should add that my Grand daughter Tashena is also in this class. Sometimes it proves awkward. Today for instance, I have long unruly hair. Tashena today said, "Grandpa, did you even make an attempt to comb your hair today?" All kinds of giggles around the classroom.I love it.