Paying it forward in 2011!

Yes, our class purchased a flock of geese through the organization Heifer International. If you are not familiar with the great work that this worthy organization does each day, check them out here. In their own words this is how our flock of geese will help a family or village in need...

Geese make a great gift, and here's why: Since some geese can lay up to 75 eggs a year the benefits add up quickly for families in desperate need of protein and a means of income. Geese are easy to care for because they don't require much shelter and can adapt to hot, wet or cold weather. Geese can also find a good portion of their food by themselves, and they efficiently dispose of weed seeds and gobble up insects, slugs and snails.

Best of all, geese are highly efficient producers of animal protein. And they're vigilant "watchdogs," loudly warning when uninvited guests arrive at the homestead.

Heifer's model spreads throughout communities as recipients pass on the gifts of animals and offspring - creating a sustainable cycle of hope and change.

So the next time you are looking to buy a gift for that person (or yourself) that has everything, think about making a donation in their honor! The kids really enjoyed this concept. Of course that is after I explained to them that 20 geese would not be showing up at Gilchrist for us to deliver. Geesh!

Another way to help out with the click of your mouse and a little brain power is through the Free Rice website. WARNING: THIS CAN BE ADDICTIVE! The good news is that your lunch hour addition can help eliminate hunger through the UN Food Program.

Make it your new year's resolution to help out someone on your street, your community, or a stranger half a world away in need!

May the new year bring you and your family great health, great memories, and great compassion for those less fortunate! Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas from the Whitakers

O Mod Tannenbaum Christmas

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'Twas the day before Christmas vacation

If you have ever taught school or have children of your own, you are well aware that the day before any type of vacation (whether it be Veteran's Day or summer vacation) is the equivalent to putting Fun Dip powder through the air vents at a place like Fun Station. Needless to say the children are EXCITED! Heck, the teachers are excited too! We had a great last couple of days before the two week break. Here are some pictures to sum it up...

We did get some learning done! We've been busying study about elements, atoms, and the periodic table. Here is an element superhero.


Art work done by:


We used our math skills to construct snowmen that could be no heavier than 50 pounds, and not cost more than $25.


We stuffed stockings full of treats.



As our elf, Jerry (the kids choice), and his friends looked on.




We made sweet ornaments to take home.


We collected money to buy a flock of geese for a family or village in need through Heifer International. Not quite your typical six geese a laying!


Geese provide eggs and protein for people living in third world countries all around the globe.



Our class hopes that your holiday season is full of magic, love, peace!

Merry Christmas...

Beaming with pride!

I am so proud of Katie for being selected as our school's student volunteer of the year. Way to go Miss Katie!




By the way, what's really special is that her Papa (Mr. Armstrong) was selected as our school's senior volunteer of the year! (I don't have a picture of him, but you can catch him at the Killearn Publix being the friendliest bag "boy" around!).

So what is lake effect snow?

I don't know about you but every time I turn on the television some meteorologist seems to be talking about lake effect snow. Maybe my cluelessness is due to the fact that I am a Floridian who had a short stint leaving in the north until Old Man Winter blew me back south. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to do a little research on this wintertime phenomenon. The fifth grade version goes like this:

Lake effect snows occur when a mass (a front) of really cold air moves over a body of warmer water (the lake), creating an unstable (just not right) temperature in the atmosphere. As a result, clouds build over the lake and eventually develop into snow showers and squalls (storms) as they move downwind.

The technical version comes from weather.com. Check it out for more info!

My scientific theory is that when you have freezing temps outside, you should stay inside. Preferably at a mall or store shopping! Miss Mallory, our shopper extraordinaire, did a little of just that last night. She took the liberty to arrange her own display in honor of the newest elf!

And first place goes to...

Hannah Wong brings home top prize in school Tropicana Speech Contest! Listen to her prize winning speech about all the different types of parents. Congrats Hannah!

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Our class performing "The Atoms Family"

A farming they will go!

My kiddies are off to Agrirama in Tifton, Georgia tomorrow to experience farm life in the 1880s. Believe it or not, this is a fifth grade favorite! Bundle up and enjoy your time. This is a picture of Mr. Whitaker doing his one of favorite things in the world...planting cotton!

The making of our nation

Today was my first day back in our classroom since mid September. A lot has happened since then. Our substitute extraordinaire, Mrs. Wallenfelsz, did and continues to do a FABULOUS job. It was great to see my students today. I received lots of hugs and smiles too. That helped me not miss this little guy so much...





In reading and in social studies we will be traveling back to a pivotal time in our nation's history, the American Revolution. This week students will begin to research some topics dealing with early colonization. Click here to read last year's post and to find a link to great resources.

Lots to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! I am thankful for not only our new little turkey, but also my 22 turkeys at school that are awaiting my return on Monday! May you have a restful holiday full of family and fun!

What????

My mommy is heading back to work in a week?


She is VERY sad to leave me, but she says she's excited to see her students. I'm excited for her!

Falling Back!

This Sunday morning (early morning, I think around 2 a.m.) we will all turn back our clocks and hopefully "fall back" to sleep. I will probably be up feeding Mack-a-roni, but I hope that you are nestled in your bed, especially because it's supposed to be chilly out. To read more about why we "fall back" click here.

Boo!

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Get out and about

There are quite a few things that sound fun to me this weekend around town, and they just happen to be science related! With temperatures dropping just the slighest bit, maybe your family will get out and about and enjoy them too!



This coming Saturday, October 23rd, at the LeRoy Collins Public Library there will be a Kids Dig Archaeology! event from 10am to 11am. The kids will be learning all about ancient graffiti and rock art!

Click here to visit the library's home page for more information.


You can also take a tour of farms around the Tallahassee area. Later this year we will visit Turkey Hill Farm, but this tour looks like a great way to see science in action now! Visit the New Leaf Market's website for more information.

Extra credit in science to those who attend either or both events and write a short summary about your experience (what did you see, do, learn, etc.).

Have a great rest of the week, and hopefully a science filled weekend!

A is for Alligator

I got the chance to read some writing samples of my students last night. I have some very talented writers in my class. It was nice to read their work and applaud them for their creativity and style. In the technology times that we live in, some of our spelling techniques have been lost is cyberspace. If you are a scary speller (happy early Halloween), check out the Spelling City website. There you can practice with your spelling words or common words that sometimes stump the most talented writer!

Mack will be practicing A is for Alligator!

Fall is in the Air

Kudos to Mrs. Wallenfelsz for doing a great job in our classroom while I take some time to be a mommy. Today she and her team of young scientists were busy learning about chorophyll. The scientist used spinach to study the amazing job performed by choroplasts within a plant cell. To learn more about how chorophyll makes our world a little prettier during the fall, click here.

Artwork all around us!

I have heard that some beautiful artwork has found a home in the Gilchrist cafeteria. I missed the unveiling of the architectural masterpieces, but I'm loving the pictures. It's pretty hard to dress up a school cafeteria, but it looks like the crew of artists and volunteers at Gilchrist have worked some artistic magic! I can't wait to see these famous landmarks come to life at our school! To learn more about famous buildings and structures click here.


On another art note, check out my niece's face painting from the Downtown Getdown. Face painting has come a long way since I was a kid! This picture is also in honor of Chick Fil a because a Diet Dr. Pepper once a day is keeping this mama going!

Two of the best things in the world!

Nap time and ice cream are up there on the best things in the world list! Congrats to my master multipliers that enjoyed ice cream sundaes last week, and here is a picture of what baby Mack does best...nap (thank the good Lord!). Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the world baby boy!

Little Wendell Mack Whitaker arrived Saturday night weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 20 and 3/4 inches long. I am back home today with Mr. Whitaker and loving our precious little gift. I hope that my students are having a great week so far. I miss you!! I will update with more pictures soon! I've got to join Mack and get a little shut eye!

Who knew science could taste so good!

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Look inside a cell

Tonight get a glimpse inside a plant and animal cell by clicking here. Tomorrow, we will make plant cells out of cookies and candies! Sleep tight my little multicellular organisms.

Friday Happenings!

Friday was full of fun at school. We kicked off our year with an Accelerated Reader rally in the cafeteria. The school joined together to create a mad-lib. We were given the task of selecting an adjective. The word we chose was GROOVY! As you can see my students didn't let me down when it came to dressing up!






Later in the day we wrapped up our unit on "other living things" by getting a closer look at fungus. We even used our portabella mushrooms to paint with!