Fifty Nifty

We started talking about colonization.  Every year, every year this happens: I ask students if they've heard the word "colonization" before.

"What about 'colony?'" I ask.  I point to the flag: "The stripes.  The stripes stand for the 13 original-" and before I can finish saying it, one, several, or all students burst into song.

"13 ORIGINAL COLONIES 50 NIFTY STARS ON THE FLAG..."  (Yes, that's in all caps because they shout out the lyrics full force.)

So, I'd like to take a moment to thank Mrs. Gillam over at Concord Intermediate School for teaching it to my students: Thank you, Mrs. Gillam.  :)

(To all the parents/adults who are reading this, at this point you should ask your kid how much of the song they remember.)

It's nice that they have some background with the idea of colonization.  This year we delve into it a little bit farther.

We'll start with why explorers explore the world, and then move from there into colonizing for natural resources, and into imperialism.

Students, make sure you bring the "Why Explorers Explored" paper when you come to class on Monday.  Please.  Please, don't forget it.

You're probably reading this because you want extra credit in my class.  If that's the case, make sure you read and discussed it with an adult.  To get the extra credit, find a scrap piece of paper and tell me whether you remember the song - and tell me if you sang it for the person you read the blog with.  Then, have that person (preferably an adult) sign the paper.

See you Monday.

And here you go, this is the closest I've been to hearing it the whole way through: