Living on Crete wouldn't be so bad. . .

New Year's Resolutions - How will you get better?

What will you do this year?

Every year, millions of people make a resolution when a new year begins - to lose or gain something, to start or stop something, to be or not be someone. Within that same year, most of those people quit their resolution, giving in and returning to their old ways, probably because the change was too hard. I challenge each of you to not pick one GIANT resolution, but three smaller, obtainable things you can tackle. 

In this post, share your resolutions by commenting and listing them for us. Everyone who does this will receive a blue ticket - you're also inspiring others to possibly try what you're trying too. 

To get things rolling, I will tell you my three resolutions:

1. Run a 10k race in under 40 minutes (my previous best is 45:30)
2. Write in my diary every day (my dad does this, and when he shares things he wrote 40 years ago, it's quite interesting!)
3. Complete a Tough Mudder challenge (13 miles obstacle course, ending with a run through exposed, live wires)

So 6.3, what are you going to achieve in 2013 to make this the best year of your life. But enjoy it while it lasts, this year will only be your best for 365 days. . . until you get even better next year!

Sioux Falls to Newtown - We are with you

We feel there is no greater act than to answer a call of need. Right now, and for a long time to come, the people of Newtown, CT need us - all of us. Although what we contribute is small and much like everyone else, we hope to impact a mourning community at least slightly. As students, individuals, friends, sons, daughters and siblings, an amazing group of one hundred students answered the call to help. How my students took control of Wednesday, December 19th, the day we spent dedicating to those passed and living, continues to amaze me. There is no greater force than love. There is no more powerful being than one's self - from countless miles away, WE made a difference. 

Thank you students of team 6.3 - you have made us proud.

(Half) Year in Review

Team 6.3 brings to a close a quite successful first half to our school year - bumps and hiccups along the way only make individuals and teams better and stronger. Things do not always sail smoothly - it is the difficulty by which we struggle that makes us stronger. Enjoy a glimpse into the team we call 6.3

#63Forever

Battle: China Facts

Which class period has the most KnowStrength today? I don't know yet either, but I'm excited to find out. Lino provides the perfect platform to showcase what we've learned about ancient China - some of which we learned over the past couple weeks, some of which will be learned today. Winning today's History League event simply requires posting the most legitimate sticky notes to each designated Lino page. 

Viewing other class period's Lino pages will result in penalty - every page has a different background; while monitoring it will be easy to see if anyone's eyes have strayed. . . 

Select your class period above to reach your destination. Happy Facting

Mr. Klumper will provide log in information during class

Chinese Foot Binding

As a status symbol in ancient China, foot binding has crippled thousands of women - women seeking beauty and acceptance in the form of tiny feet. For thousands of years, women intentionally broke their feet and wrapped them tightly, as to prevent them from growing. Called "three inch golden lotuses," bound feet were admired for ages - even after being outlawed women continued binding their own feet in secret. 

Listen to one Chinese woman's account of binding her own feet. Listen here.

Below, another person remembrance of foot binding in ancient China. I do need to warn you to watch this with caution - some sights and sounds may be displeasing. 

Leave Nothing Unsaid. . .

Please don't allow yourself to ever think "I wish I had told them. . . " - while we can, we must tell the people we care about just how much they mean to us. #SayWhatYouFeel

A Hoax. . .

I see you . . . 

Ever felt as though other people are watching, waiting for you to mess up or do something wrong? 6.3 students were charged with the tasked of keeping a watchful eye on other students today - obligated to report any misbehavior. Failing to do so would result in punishment, as getting their name written down carried its own harsh consequences. 

This hoax introduced our next topic - life during the Qin (chin) Dynasty in ancient China. Emperor Qin required all Chinese people to "spy" on one another and record any actions deemed negative. As you can imagine, this did not produce a great deal of trust among the people - "you reported me, I'll report you" turned quickly into a bout of vengeance. 

Hear and seeing a rush of "ahhhhhhhh" after uncovering the true nature of this hoax, I understand how Qin created a dangerous atmosphere in ancient China - perhaps explaining the short duration of his rule (19 years).

Click here to read the letter that terrified students. One thing is certain, however, today was each class' best behaved period! 

#63Photos

Click the picture to view Photo Gallery - Making memories everyday

In the short time they've been together, team 6.3 students have made lasting experiences - check our #63 Photo Gallery to see in pictures what is so very hard to express in words - the joy we have each and every day.

1:Face Watch

Click on the picture to visit the site

As many of you know, my 1:Face watch has been on my wrist for a week. Every time I hit the button to light up the time I realize that my purchase has made a difference - choosing Red meant my contribution aided kids with AIDS by supplying medicine to help them feel the way most of us do everyday - healthy. 

Whether as a Christmas present or present to yourself, a $40 1:Face watch is a way for us all to make a difference in someone's life! 

#ChangeALife

Over the Shoulder - Shang Dynasty

Dive into our first of four dynasties of ancient China - the Shang Dynasty. What made this time period unique? Watch Shang Dynasty specific clips taken from Over the Shoulder volume 3. 

#ancientChina
#KnowStrength
#63forever

Standings after 10 events

History League is a competition designed to create an atmosphere of excellence. Each class period is a team, receiving points based on performance in varying competitions. Ten events have been completed, a great deal of teamwork and knowledge has already been demonstrated.



Examples of events: Class average on quiz/test, speed accomplishing a task, most points during teamwork exercises, accuracy of tasks. 

Scoring is as follows; Ten points are awarded to the class period who wins the event, eight points to second place, six to third and four points given to fourth place. 

Current Standings:
First place: Period 2 (80 points)
Second placed: Period 4 (74 points)
Third place: Period 9 (66 points)
Fourth place: Period 6 (60 points)

#Teamwork