Thursday, December 29, 2011

Dress For Winter!

We had a few snowy days in December when kids needed all their winter gear, and there are sure to be a LOT more in January. What a project, getting 21 kids ready for outdoor play. And you think your entryway is a mess? Come check out the hallway when everyone is getting ready! I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the process. It only took about 5 minutes to get eveyone outside, and that time will decrease as eveyone gets better at new zippers, snaps, boot ties, etc.

Snow pants are a requirement for outside play on the hillside. They keep kids warm and dry (sitting in wet pants all afternoon doesn't feel very good)!



Boots are a must, too.

And don't forget hats and mittens!
Putting on all this "stuff" can be quite a project,
but playing in the snow is so worth it!
We're soooo ready!
Can we go yet?
Playing with friends is the best!


The pictures say it all!
Please be sure to label ALL outerwear, especially snow pants and boots, since many of the children have similar styles. Last year, one mom tied a piece of yarn to the buckle on her son's snow pants, and he never had trouble finding his! The lost and found gets pretty full as the winter progresses, so if your child is missing something, be sure to check there!
Hopefully, snow will arrive again in the new year, and next time you're getting one or two kids ready for outside play, think of me with a whole crew of them!

Monday, December 26, 2011

November Students of the Month

Congratulations to William, Kiarra, and Abby, our November Students of the Month!
Keep up the good work in 2012!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Gingerbread Houses

On Friday, December 16th, our class made gingerbread houses! The excitement had been building for several weeks as we collected ice cream buckets, frosting, and supplies for decorating. Finally, the big day arrived, everything was ready, and it was time to begin! Each child had to invite one guest as a helper. We had moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas join us as we created our houses.


We started the event by singing a few songs to entertain our guests.
We sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells,"

and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas."

We got our instructions on the Smartboard by looking at pictures from last year's blog post showing the whole process. We got lots of good ideas! Finally, it was time to begin.


The first step was to frost a foil-covered lid as a base for the house.





Then, we frosted an empty milk carton for the house.


















Next, we stuck graham crackers to the cartons.


Frosting made great glue!


And it tasted good, too!



Oops! Caught you!


The parents worked just as hard as the kids!



Next came the decorating. The kids got to take a trip to the supply table and fill a bowl with fun "stuff" to use to add details to their houses. We had marshmallows, gum drops, M&M's , pretzels, CHEX cereal, Lifesavers, Bugles, string licorice, sprinkles, Teddy grahams, gummy bears, chocolate chips, Fuit Loops, coconut, candy canes, and much more.


It was so much fun to see the creativity of both kids and parents!




































When the houses were finished, the parents covered them with the ice cream buckets and took them home.

We cleaned up, washed desks, and the kids went off to the Computer Lab while I rounded up a custodian to do a little vacuuming. By the time the kids returned, everything was back to normal and we continued with the rest of our day, although everyone was on quite a sugar high from all that nibbling. Oh well...

The kids had so much fun and were so proud of their creations. Hopefully, they all made it home in one piece. Thanks, parents, for all of your help, and for taking time out of your busy day to take part in this fun activity! Happy Holidays, and remember to read lots during vacation!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

It's Snowing! It's Snowing!

The big day of our concert finally arrived on Tuesday, December 6th! The kids have been practicing for weeks, and they were very excited to get to perform their songs for an audience. We walked to the high school in the morning for one last rehearsal on the stage in the auditorium. The rest of the day went by pretty slowly, but at last, it was 6:45.


Cannon wore the perfect sweater for the theme of our concert!


We're sooooo ready!


All dressed up!


Looking good, Nathan!



Hair curled, too!


So cute!


Is it 7:00 yet?


Time to line up...


Finally, on stage!


Let's sing!


Beth, William, and Tatum in line to speak.

They did a great job!


Our class is playing the orff instruments.


Yeah! We did it!


Our last song was so much fun!


What a great show!

Thanks, parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, EVERYONE, for coming to our performance!