It is hard to believe that the year is over. Where did the time go? Certainly one of my sweetest memories was the flower-dog I received from the Vargas family during Teacher Appreciation week. Just had to share a photo with you all. Woof, woof!
The third trimester is, in many ways, our busiest of all. We are routinely putting all of the skills we've learned to good use and extending a variety of concepts in meaningful ways.
The children all enjoyed reading The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. It is a sweepingly beautiful tale of the metamorphosis of a bunny named Edward who discovers the real beauty in life. I highly recommend it to you all. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to follow up with reading Despereaux, also by Kate DeCamillo. Check them out from your local library for a fantastic summer read. We also read Homer Price, a gem of a tale that captures a simpler, more nostalgiac time in our country. There are quite a few of the stories on You Tube that your children would love to view. We did enjoy watching The Doughnuts together, while eating doughnuts of course.
Earlier in the trimester, the students all had a chance to join forces and interview a famous woman in "herstory." Quite a few renowned women visited our classrooms including Betsey Ross, Madam C.J. Walker and Maya Anjalou to name a few. Simply inspirational! Be sure to watch a few videos when you have the time. I will load them as soon as possible. They care quite comical in the best sense.
Who knew that eight year olds would be so interested in electricity? There is something seemingly magical about it, I suppose. We were busy throughout the trimester creating light through wires and circuits while testing conductors and insulators. There are lots of fun Bill Nye videos, also on YouTube, to go along with the unit.
We all enjoyed our exploration of the regions of our country and had the chance to present our individual reports. They were lots of fun. All the children were wonderful tour guides. It was also a nice addition to add power points to each presentation that had been done with Mrs. Berg during tech time. Do you know which state is famous for hazelnuts or which state had the most presidents born there? I bet your children know! Of course, our state luncheon was yummy delicious. We had quesadillas, guacamole, scalloped potatoes, shrimp, and Virginia ham sandwiches along with Boston Cream pie, hazelnut cookies, and good ole apple pie to name only a few things on the menu. Thank you Mrs. Rappold for being our helper and providing all the festive paper goods.
Of course Field Day was lots of fun despite the chilly weather. We really could have used a hot cocoa stand rather than a water stand! However, the nippy weather couldn't dampen our spirits. You couldn't miss us in those neon orange t-shirts. Go Tigers!
Soon after we learned about Tornado Alley, Oklahoma experienced their devastation. The students sprung into action. Thanks go out to Miss Faizah for coming up with the initial idea of a bake sale and all the rest of the students for quickly and enthusiastically jumping on board. Mrs. Merklinger and I recently sent a check to the Moore Public School in Oklahoma in the amount of $300.00. If you could have heard the children cheer as we totaled up the amount, you would have smiled ear to ear. They were beside themselves.
The art show and musical concert were their usual stellar productions. I hope you all take the time to ever so carefully frame your child's sampler as I have done with my daughter's. It is a very special work of art. The children always loved to look at my Sydney's sampler hanging in our classroom to compare stitches they'd done.
Our crowning achievement was certainly our speeches. I am genuinely amazed at the poise and confidence of each student as they present their pieces to the audience. Preparing students as confident speakers is invaluable. I was proud as a peacock!
We all had a ball at our year-end party at Turtle Back Zoo. Thanks go out to our wonderful class moms Mrs. Eldridge and Mrs. Rappold for chaperoning the trip. Enjoy the photos I managed to take in between carousel rides.
It has been such a pleasure to spend the year with your children. The classroom becomes a barren ghost town once they have packed up and left, just waiting patiently for the next group of children to breathe life once again into it. Enjoy your summer!
Best Regards,
Katherine Heiss
