A walk on the creative side

This past week my students were able to express their individuality and creativity through many different classroom activities. I like to think of myself as creative, but at times that characteristic seems to be all but fading. Teaching the same grade for many years can do that to you. That is why I pride myself on rarely looking back to lesson plans from years gone by. Instead I try to teach with a brand new perspective on concepts each year. This can be challenging. That is why I rely on my students to show their creativity in different ways and inspire me each day.

During our center time this week the students drew self portraits using similes and metaphors about themselves. The portrait below says my hair is as cooper as a penny and she used pennies to make her hair. Get it? We took it up a notch and brought in Christmas cards that might have gone in the trash and made mosaic frames out of them. Beautiful work!







Speaking of reinventing Christmas items, we used silver glitter (my least favorite classroom item!) ornaments to make a decorative writing piece about our New Year's resolutions a couple weeks back.





We finished up the week using our creativity to produce television commercials. My students were given the task of using their persuasion skills to sell some popular items that were made with the help of chemistry (we were studying about chemical reactions). The commercials ranged from a rap about rubber to scientist selling vitamins. Here is Max showcasing his guitar playing skills. He is great!

It's a mathematical playground!

Build and stregthen your math skills at this great website, Math Playground. A great excuse to play on the computer each night!

Happy Friday to you!

We are coming up on a long weekend. Which means great things to a fifth grade student, and a fifth grade teacher! Our family is trying to recover after spending one night in the hospital with this little pistol as he suffered through having the flu at only four months old. I think we are on the up and up by the looks of things...



You might not know it, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also the National Day of Service. Our class had some candid conversations this week about laws, rules, protesting, government, etc. in light of the Tuscon tragedy and in reference to our civics lessons. It is hard to persuade an 11 year old about the need for laws and rules, but even they could see that as Americans we allowed to civily disagree and have a voice as long as we don't hurt our neighbor. Why don't you spend the day helping a neighbor?




If you and your family are looking for a way to lend a hand on Monday or in the future, check out Serve.gov. This is an easy way to find volunteer opportunities in our area. Can't actually get out and volunteer on Monday, here are some quick and easy ways to help one another...

*head to a local park and pick up trash as you play
*donate used towels and blankets to the Leon County Animal Shelter
*round up your gently used books and take them to the library or Senior Center
*ask an elderly neighbor if you could rake their yard or sweep their driveway
*make thank you cards and drop them off at the Armory
*bake some cookies and take them to the fire station closest to your home
*drop off some coloring books and crayons to the pediatric floor at the hospital (2nd floor at TMH, we were just there)
*call a grandpa or family friend and thank them for volunteering to serve our country

Enjoy a day off, but more importantly enjoy serving others!

Ahhh...Chooo!

It's that time of year, and the ahhh...chooos are everywhere. Little man Mack had his first sickness this past week and he is pitiful. To learn more about the science behind colds check out this very interesting site about kids health!

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

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.