Would You Like a Spot of Tea?

We hosted a tea party for our science buddies on Friday. The third graders didn't know too much about the historic event that took place way back at the start of the Revolution. After filling them in on some history, we dressed them as Mohawk Indians. Make sure to ask your fifth grader why the Patriots (not Tom Brady) dressed in this peculiar disguise. Then we enjoyed a cup of tea together. A science buddies event would not be complete without learning something scientific! Students observed the three states of matter in their cup (solid - sugar cubes, liquid - tea of course, and gas - vapor). They also put their heads together to analyze density and buoyancy. We had a great time!



Here are some wonderfully creative social studies/writing projects my students did on key players of early colonization.

Lily's a Mama!

Lily went and decided to have her cub right when I boarded a plane to head out of town. Isn't that how it always happens. I came back to school to hear about the excitement from my students. You can see the new cub being born (don't worry it is not gross or graphic) on YouTube. I will let you go there yourself since there is such a variety of things on YouTube! The little baby cub sounds just like a little baby human. I'm proud of Lily for not needing medicine, ice chips, or any special breathing techniques. She just took care of business!

Here is what a new born black bear cub looks like...



I also realize now that I am one of the millions that love Lily. Look at the t-shirt design below...

Wildlife in Washington

I am here in our nation's capital, and have had a wonderful time visiting some of my favorite places and sharing time with some of my favorite faces. Washington has had a cold winter, just like we have had. However, we awoke on Saturday to a gorgeous blue sky which made our nation's monuments look like beacons on a long green alley. After walking to see the "new" World War II monument, we strolled down toward the Capitol and stopped at the Museum of Natural History. While waiting for an IMAX, we stepped into the Nature's Best Photography exhibit. It was AMAZING! I am grateful that we live on a planet Earth that is home to such a variety of splendid creatures. I am also grateful that I got to glimpse into the jungles, deserts, and forests and see what nature has to offer. I sure hope that we begin to really work to conserve this Earth for not just future generations of humans beings, but also future generations of glorious wild beings. Take a peek into the exhibit here.

I'm looking forward to being back with you all on Tuesday! Remember to work hard!

A New View and a Patchwork Quilt

Things have been busy around our classroom these days. It's that time of year that moments turn into minutes, minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, and before you know it IT IS JANUARY 20TH!!! I've always heard that life flies by the older you get. I sure hope my little students are enjoying every minute!



We have a new view from our window. Our Discovery Garden is becoming a reality. Earlier this school year I received two grants to change the barren space outside our back door into a outdoor space where children could have hands on experiences with science. This past Monday our Student Council participated in a school beautification day. Parents, students, and teachers made our campus sparkle! Our view is improving by the day. What's coming next you might ask...a compost tumbler, a green house, a mural, and the list goes on!





We have also completed our classroom heritage quilt. It is not a "true" patchwork quilt, but I think it is pretty darn nifty! I am a novice sewer, but maybe one day I will join the quilt making club. Each child contributed a quilt square to highlight their heritage.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Students are working on a internet scavenger hunt about earthquakes and volcanoes. Click here for more information.

Our Final Lap

We've reached California, the end of our Generosity Journey! I would like to thank all the fifth grade families for donating an item or items to be sent to an organization in need. We spread kindness all along I-10! Isn't it amazing what a group of students can do when they set out on a goal? They walked approximately 2,300 miles in less than three months, and made a lot of people smile along the way!




A big thank you to Gulf Winds Track Club for supplying a grant to help with this project!

A Quilt is Coming

Tomorrow we are constructing a classroom quilt to cap off our heritage unit. Each student is responsible for decorate one quilt square that shares a bit about their heritage. Stay tuned for pictures!