Christmas

We had our Christmas party at school and we tried a different idea with our student gifts.  In years past, I asked all students to send in a $5 gift to swap.  Every year without fail, I would have one child who was upset with their gift and made sure to say something about it.  I don't know about you, but I always enjoy seeing someone open a gift that I gave them and really love it.  I know kids feel the same way and they noticed whether or not someone was playing with what they brought.  This year we "stuffed a stocking"  or in our case a Christmas gift bag.  Each child could bring in a small item for each student and they got to put it in the bag.  The bags ended up being very full with lots of little toys of which the kids loved.  They had the best time playing with what they received and not one child complained.  We will be doing this again next year!

Cards for Katie

My class has been busy doing a service project.  We heard about a little10 year old girl who has cancer for the 3rd time and the Make a Wish Foundation is trying to help make her wish come true.  All she is asking for is cards for Christmas.  They are trying to collect as many cards for her to make her wish come true.  My class was so sweet to make cards for her and to write encouraging words.  They really enjoyed participating in this project.  It was nice to see them doing something for someone who is not as fortunate as themselves. 

We finally had some of our plants sprout.  Those that planted the marvel pea had the most success.   Everyday when they came to school, they spent the first few minutes going around the room examining everyone's plant with "OOHH!  and AAHH! over the growth that happened over night.   Since about half the class still had not seen anything grow, they have tried again with a different seed.  Hopefully, this time everyone will be able to witness a plant grow.  It really is rewarding to see how excited the students get over their own success and the success of others. 

Well, the kids are excited.! Our guppies and pond snails arrived yesterday and have found their new homes in the aqauriums on the student's desks, (no spills yet!).  Each group has a few male and female guppies in their tanks.  This morning, several kids were just sure they had babies born during the night, just because the guppies are so small.  I have to remind them, that those were the same guppies, no new ones yet.  Hopefully during the course of this unit we will get to see the life cycle. :) 

We have started a new unit in Science:  organisms .  The kids were able to make a terrarium last week.  So far they have planted a tree seedling and moss.  We are learning that while all plants need water, you can lovingly give them way too much.  We are waiting on the arrival of our millipedes and bess beetles.  I have heard the millipede are escape artists, so I'm hoping I don't find one in my purse one afternoon!

Heart Broken

I know this has nothing to do with my classroom, but since this is my blog, I guess I can write about whatever is on my mind.  I have a 33 year old cousin who found out after Labor Day that he had cancer.  He was in perfect health up until this.  He had surgery at Vanderbilt and they had hopes of doing chemo and maybe he would have a chance to live.  While in the hospital, he got an infection in his colon.  Needless to say, all they focused on was trying to get rid of infection before doing anything about his cancer, (of which they still don't know what kind of cancer he had).  The whole family has been on a rollercoaster ride for the past three weeks.  He has been improving slowly everyday, but past away Tuesday from a heart attack.  I guess his body just couldn't take anymore.  You hear of young people having cancer and losing their battle with it, but it is very different when it hits home.  If you wouldn't mind, please say a prayer for his wife, parents, and brother to get through this extrememy difficult time.

Our Compost Bags

Yesterday, the students observed their compost bags.  They were excited to discuss the differences in their composts since they made them a few weeks ago.  Of course the most exciting thing for the kids was getting to play with the worms inside the bags.  Who knew girls loved to play with worms that much?! :)

Today our class experimented with three different kinds of soils and how they settle in water.  They had a blast shaking their test tubes and watching the different soils settle.  After several minutes they enjoyed looking at each test tube and seeing which soils had settled quickly and which were taking a really long time.  The kids really love to play in dirt!  ;)