This week, Conkling's Utica Gem is Mr. Brown, a dedicated educator with 21 years of teaching experience across Hughes, Jefferson, Kernan, and Conkling Elementary Schools.

As a proud Proctor High School graduate (Class of 1995), Mr. Brown brings his passion for science and social studies to his classroom. He particularly loves teaching New York State history to his 4th graders. 

On March 7th, his class celebrated National License Plate Day, putting their year-long study of the 50 states to the test with impressive results. Many students achieved perfect scores and received commemorative license plates to take home!

The creative lesson combined multiple subjects as students explored license plate history, learning that New York was the first state to mandate them in 1910, and studied manufacturing processes nationwide. 

The class incorporated mathematics through sequential numbering patterns, discussed collecting hobbies, including the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, and strengthened ELA skills by decoding customized plates with missing vowels. The class even watched the classic game show "Bumper Stumpers" for practice. 

The engaging day concluded with students designing their own license plates, with special attention to making their creations clearly legible for law enforcement, demonstrating how Mr. Brown transforms everyday objects into multifaceted learning opportunities for his students.

#UticaUnited