Last Friday after we got back to school, I thought about writing about our trip, but my feet were wet and I was tired so I told myself I would write it once I got to Fulda. And then once I got there, I decided it could wait. So here we are!
Thursday was the perfect weather for Camp Omega. We were outside in sweatshirts and no jackets! The sun was shining, there wasn't much wind, perfect for a nature walk. Our first task was to find non-man-made things for each letter of the alphabet. We split into our "car" groups; the 5th grade girls had ridden with me, and I was their team leader for pretty much all of the trip. It was so fun! Normally I'm working with the boys, putting out behavior fires and helping with homework, and the girls don't demand as much attention. They were so excited to be with me; it was nice! We missed some tough letters like J, Q, U, V, X, Y. We were bummed we didn't find all of them.
Afterwards, we moved on to archery, always a fun activity. There was enough time for the kids to do two rounds and the chaperones one. Recurve bows were our only option to shoot, and it was hard for the kids to pull back the string, so Zach (our Camp Omega leader) moved the quivers/line of fire closer. Then they could hit the target! We took lots of good pictures.
For lunch we had chicken strips, which coincidentally was what was on the school lunch menu for the day. Camp Omega added a session to all school groups... service project. Our group was split into three: one group split wood with a wood splitter, another swept leaves off the sidewalk, and my group swept out the shop and put hoses away. It didn't take my group long to do our job. No one was supervising (except me) so we were at a loss of what to do afterward. We watched some cats they had running around, took a "nap" in the sun, rolled down the big hill by the dining hall (I did not participate in that one), then saw the other sweeping group playing Gaga Ball and joined them. It took the wood choppers the longest to finish. Then on to canoeing.
It was then I realized I had not put on sunscreen. Oops. Everyone found a canoe and paddles and life jackets and jumped right in! Or should I say, paddled right in? Some of the boys tried to ram canoes and splash everyone. For a while there was a splash war going on. The boy I was with was a good partner and we were too fast for anyone to splash us! I had given my camera to one of the 6th grade girls to take pictures on the water (she was a middle sitter and didn't have to paddle). Then we handed the camera to Zach to take a group picture. That took some finagling! We grabbed paddles and pulled each other's canoes close together and hung on to each other's gunwales. But we were all facing the wrong direction! So the outside canoes paddled while the inside canoes held on. And we spun around! It was pretty awesome. And the picture turned out fantastic.
Fort building was next, or should I say Survival Shelter Building. Again, car groups were sent off to build a shelter that would blend in and withstand rain. My 5th grade girls and I found a big stump we could make a lean-to shelter. Our roof was pretty solid. We had two big branches leaned up on top of the stump and we filled in the space between with smaller sticks. On top of all that we threw a layer of leaves. The side of the lean-to was more sticks leaned against it, but that wasn't as air-tight. The other groups came up with some pretty neat shelters too. Afterwards we played more Gaga Ball and had supper (turkey, mashed potatoes, etc.).
Right as we finished cleaning up, the power went off. And it didn't come back on. Zach called the electric company and they said it'd be on by 9:00pm. Okaaay. We played Eagles Eggs and Flashlight Gaga Ball until it was time for campfire. Oh, and we did read-aloud while it was still light enough. By the time campfire/worship/highs and lows was over, the power was back on. More Gaga Ball until 9:00 cabin time. Everyone got ready for bed and we had lights out by 10:00. Most were sleeping by 10:30. And with the sleeping came snoring, the kind of snoring you hear in movies. I'm not entirely positive which people were snoring, but there were at least three! Still, with all that, I was out light a light! No kids got homesick this year, although there were some who got up at 4:00am to play Gaga Ball. They were dressed and ready to go and even left the cabin! The walls are so thin, you can hear what anyone says anywhere in the cabin, so even though the boys were on a separate side, we girls could hear their Gaga Ball plan. One of the other female chaperones got up and chewed them out and sent the 4:00am-ers back to bed. I'm so thankful she did it instead of me! I could stay snuggled down in my sleeping bag.
The boys still got up pretty early to play Gaga Ball, but at the more decent hour of 6:30am. Breakfast was egg/sausage/cheese sandwiches. The weather started out nice before breakfast (sweatshirt weather again), but in the time it took to walk to breakfast it had cooled down enough we wanted our winter jackets if we were going to be outside. Fire building was our first activity... and of course it started sprinkling. Still, all of our car groups got a fire going, even my group of little 5th grade girls! Annnnd then it began to downpour. We hustled to the Beta Center (where they do the teaching of sessions before going out into the wilderness) to learn about orienteering. Most chaperones had brought one or two umbrellas along, so we snagged those from the cars as we had more wilderness to explore yet that morning. Zach taught us how to use compasses to find directions (something I've never been able to figure out... but I know now!), then he gave us a scavenger hunt questionnaire to find the answers to. By that point it was merely sprinkling, so we felt confident in braving the weather. Partway through, it downpoured again. The 5th grade girls and I were close enough to our shelter from yesterday that we ran ahead and hunkered down inside. It was waterproof! Well, it dripped in a few places, but it kept us mostly dry! Eventually we had to move on. We only got partly soaked. One girl didn't bring a spare sweatshirt and jeans, so once we were finished being in the rain I loaned her one from my winter emergency kit in the back of my car. She is so tiny she practically drowned in it, but it was warm and dry and fuzzy, so there were no complaints!
Normally at the end of Camp Omega there are tons of complaints and it's hard to drag them away. This year it was too wet to play Gaga Ball the second day, so they couldn't argue about that. And their shoes were so soggy from walking in the wet grass and leaves I think everyone was mostly ready to go home when we did. We packed up our stuff, did a little read-aloud, and left camp by 1:15 to put us back to school by 2:15; just enough time for recess before going home for the day. I love my kids, but being around them all for over 30 hours with no breaks is tough. Let's keep it in 9 hour increments.
Today was back to normal. We began work on our church year chain (colors of the liturgy) and I think we'll finish stapling tomorrow. We did more NaNo prep work. And we did a plant science experiment. Ugh, I'm so mad! I was going to bring back corn and soybeans from the farm this weekend and I totally forgot! I got halfway home last night when I suddenly remembered. But I wasn't about to turn around and go back. I had some sunflower seeds in the closet and a few kernels left from last year, so we made due with what I had on hand. Hopefully the experiment works!
Mrs. B invited me over for supper tonight since all her people are gone (Pastor's conference). So I best head over there soon!
Monday, October 26, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Tobacco Education
We had a guest speaker today. A dental hygiene student from MSU came to talk about tobacco with my students. She was a little late because of the detours (supposedly going to be opened back up on Saturday!) and we had some issues getting her laptop set up, but better late than never. Mr. E was good about letting my class show up to PE late.
Overall, our day was much better than yesterday. After chapel, Mr. E took four of the boys into the office and had a chat with them. Meanwhile, we finished our read-aloud book, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. I had to read the sad chapter today. I've been warning them that this chapter was coming up and I just might cry when I read it. One of the boys grabbed the box of Kleenex and set it next to me, just in case. Always so thoughtful, my students! Their faces while I was reading... they were absolutely riveted. Completely sucked into the story. It was awesome. And of course we couldn't stop at just one chapter, so we finished the book and skipped Writing Workshop today. We'll start our new read-aloud at Camp Omega tomorrow. They want to read a fantasy book, but I think we're going to go with Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.
The 7th graders have been great this week. We started a unit on Earth's layers and tectonic plates, and they're soaking it all up. Such good discussions. Instead of doing a test on this chapter, I might have them build a model of Earth's layers... maybe with some kind of food! I'll work on that this weekend.
I'm ducking out of my classroom much sooner today than usual. I have to deposit all our class funds into our class account so we're ready for tomorrow, and the bank closes at 3:30. I'm not planning to come back to school afterward, so I'm booking it to get everything packed up and ready to go. Tonight there is ladies' bible study and I still need to pack. It's going to be busy!
Overall, our day was much better than yesterday. After chapel, Mr. E took four of the boys into the office and had a chat with them. Meanwhile, we finished our read-aloud book, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. I had to read the sad chapter today. I've been warning them that this chapter was coming up and I just might cry when I read it. One of the boys grabbed the box of Kleenex and set it next to me, just in case. Always so thoughtful, my students! Their faces while I was reading... they were absolutely riveted. Completely sucked into the story. It was awesome. And of course we couldn't stop at just one chapter, so we finished the book and skipped Writing Workshop today. We'll start our new read-aloud at Camp Omega tomorrow. They want to read a fantasy book, but I think we're going to go with Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.
The 7th graders have been great this week. We started a unit on Earth's layers and tectonic plates, and they're soaking it all up. Such good discussions. Instead of doing a test on this chapter, I might have them build a model of Earth's layers... maybe with some kind of food! I'll work on that this weekend.
I'm ducking out of my classroom much sooner today than usual. I have to deposit all our class funds into our class account so we're ready for tomorrow, and the bank closes at 3:30. I'm not planning to come back to school afterward, so I'm booking it to get everything packed up and ready to go. Tonight there is ladies' bible study and I still need to pack. It's going to be busy!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Roasty Toasty
Yesterday was supposed to be the hot one, but it's even toastier in my classroom today! I thought it was going to be cooler, so I wore a sweater... not the best decision ever. Even with the windows open and my sleeves rolled up, I am pretty roasty! And since I can't bring myself to turn on the AC, I should suffer in silence and not complain. Pretty soon it will be winter and then I'll be wishing for some of this warm!
Picture day was today. It's funny to see how people react to it. Some of the girls come to school super spiffed up with their hair curled and extra fancy jewelry and clothes. Some of the boys come to school with nicer clothes than usual, itching and scratching until after pictures and then scurry off to the bathroom to change into something more comfortable. And other boys wear their typical comfy clothes and just throw a nice shirt on over top two minutes before it's their turn with the picture man. Hey, the picture is only from the waist up!
I think a storm is coming. My kids were kinda crazy today... really at each others' throats. We all made it to the end of the day, but life got a little rough. We took our first science test in the afternoon right before our end of the day recess. Two students took the longest time to finish. Of course the majority of the class finished way sooner... no one wanted to find something to do. They all stared off into space or made faces at the people still working on the test. Lovely. Just lovely. The boys especially wanted to go out for recess. I could feel the dissension in the ranks, but didn't want to abandon the test takers in the classroom while the majority went out. And then one particular student got on his soap box about how at noon recess there were seven people in the classroom unsupervised and way less than seven people were still taking the test now! And everyone should get to go out for recess RIGHT NOW! Oh, it was not good. They nearly mutinied! ... I need to find a better way of doing that, giving longer-test-takers the time they need while the speedsters aren't sitting there bored.
I finally came up with an alternative assignment for the two boys not going to Camp Omega. I made up a research worksheet for them... they have to find five survival facts and list where they found them, draw pictures of three types of shelters and describe how to build one in detail, write a 1/2 page paper on orienteering, and list four methods of fire building and pick one they would do and explain why. All stuff we're going to be doing at Camp Omega, but something they can research and hand in. So. Hopefully that's not too much and everyone is happy with it. They are missing a two day field trip after all. I don't think the rest of the class knows these two boys are not going. We'll find out on Thursday I guess.
Oh! The Fall Carnival is planned! I still need to come up with a schedule for next Friday, but the kids all know what they're doing and have been making signs for their stations. Next step, figure out a costume!
Picture day was today. It's funny to see how people react to it. Some of the girls come to school super spiffed up with their hair curled and extra fancy jewelry and clothes. Some of the boys come to school with nicer clothes than usual, itching and scratching until after pictures and then scurry off to the bathroom to change into something more comfortable. And other boys wear their typical comfy clothes and just throw a nice shirt on over top two minutes before it's their turn with the picture man. Hey, the picture is only from the waist up!
I think a storm is coming. My kids were kinda crazy today... really at each others' throats. We all made it to the end of the day, but life got a little rough. We took our first science test in the afternoon right before our end of the day recess. Two students took the longest time to finish. Of course the majority of the class finished way sooner... no one wanted to find something to do. They all stared off into space or made faces at the people still working on the test. Lovely. Just lovely. The boys especially wanted to go out for recess. I could feel the dissension in the ranks, but didn't want to abandon the test takers in the classroom while the majority went out. And then one particular student got on his soap box about how at noon recess there were seven people in the classroom unsupervised and way less than seven people were still taking the test now! And everyone should get to go out for recess RIGHT NOW! Oh, it was not good. They nearly mutinied! ... I need to find a better way of doing that, giving longer-test-takers the time they need while the speedsters aren't sitting there bored.
I finally came up with an alternative assignment for the two boys not going to Camp Omega. I made up a research worksheet for them... they have to find five survival facts and list where they found them, draw pictures of three types of shelters and describe how to build one in detail, write a 1/2 page paper on orienteering, and list four methods of fire building and pick one they would do and explain why. All stuff we're going to be doing at Camp Omega, but something they can research and hand in. So. Hopefully that's not too much and everyone is happy with it. They are missing a two day field trip after all. I don't think the rest of the class knows these two boys are not going. We'll find out on Thursday I guess.
Oh! The Fall Carnival is planned! I still need to come up with a schedule for next Friday, but the kids all know what they're doing and have been making signs for their stations. Next step, figure out a costume!
Monday, October 19, 2015
Attack of the Lady Bugs
Noon recess was a battle zone. Apparently, all the girls in my class are terrified/grossed-out/completely disgusted by lady bugs. And guess what was cruising around the playground today? Yep. Lady bugs. One of the 5th graders stood on the picnic table to get away from them. "[friend], come over here! There are less lady bugs... I think!" Mmm, not really, but it gave her slight peace of mind. We spent recess pointing out the latest attackers and flicking them off each other. Thankfully, not too many have found their way into our classroom. Most of the other rooms have swarms in the corners near the ceiling, but we have escaped thus far.
I made another girl cry today. It's the same one who usually cries, although this year the tears have not made as many appearances. She was upset because I made the groups for our science review game and she got stuck in a group with all boys (boys she does not like/get along with) and no girls. After the game she came up to me and said, "Miss H. I did not like that." Yep. I totally get it. But we all have to do things we don't like in this world. Since they were pretty good during the game, next time I'll let them pick their own groups. Our test on plants is tomorrow, and I noticed a bunch of study guides lying on the floor/on desks... this does not bode well. Actually, those boys are pretty bright and will probably do well on the test without studying. But I still worry anyway.
Today I introduced our big project for November... National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. As soon as I brought up NaNo, the 6th graders wanted to show off last year's chart! They were able to color in their part of the graph each day to show how many words they had so far. It was a huge hit. I guess I'll have to do the same thing again!
Some of my kids have started NaNo stories already, but once I made it clear their word count starts at zero on November 1st no matter how much they've written beforehand, they decided it would be too much work to figure out how many words they have. So I think everyone will start a new story from scratch. I'm also going to let each of them make their own word count goals (with a minimum goal of 2,000). We'll set our goals next Friday, right before NaNo starts. All the NaNo sites for teachers say it's important for teachers to write with their students to set a good example. I guess that means I need to do NaNo too. I just don't know how I'm going to write 50,000 words this year! Although, I think that every year. But this year has been crazier than normal. We'll see I guess! With my kiddos egging me on, watching, it might be enough motivation to get the job done.
I made another girl cry today. It's the same one who usually cries, although this year the tears have not made as many appearances. She was upset because I made the groups for our science review game and she got stuck in a group with all boys (boys she does not like/get along with) and no girls. After the game she came up to me and said, "Miss H. I did not like that." Yep. I totally get it. But we all have to do things we don't like in this world. Since they were pretty good during the game, next time I'll let them pick their own groups. Our test on plants is tomorrow, and I noticed a bunch of study guides lying on the floor/on desks... this does not bode well. Actually, those boys are pretty bright and will probably do well on the test without studying. But I still worry anyway.
Today I introduced our big project for November... National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. As soon as I brought up NaNo, the 6th graders wanted to show off last year's chart! They were able to color in their part of the graph each day to show how many words they had so far. It was a huge hit. I guess I'll have to do the same thing again!
Some of my kids have started NaNo stories already, but once I made it clear their word count starts at zero on November 1st no matter how much they've written beforehand, they decided it would be too much work to figure out how many words they have. So I think everyone will start a new story from scratch. I'm also going to let each of them make their own word count goals (with a minimum goal of 2,000). We'll set our goals next Friday, right before NaNo starts. All the NaNo sites for teachers say it's important for teachers to write with their students to set a good example. I guess that means I need to do NaNo too. I just don't know how I'm going to write 50,000 words this year! Although, I think that every year. But this year has been crazier than normal. We'll see I guess! With my kiddos egging me on, watching, it might be enough motivation to get the job done.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Shout Outs
Miss N gave me a pretty cool idea today. She has a "shout out" box at the front of the classroom where kids can write compliments to each other and they'll be read to the class at the end of the day. Today, one of her kids wrote one to me! "This compliment is for Miss Hins. This person is a nice prcine [person] she dus reding buttes [reading buddies]. From your friend, [student]" How sweet is that? I think I'm going to start doing that with my class. Miss N said she got the idea from Pinterest.
I also had a good idea today. Our iPads are never charged up because I always forget to plug them in. The open outlets are on the other side of my desk where I can't get to them easily and the charging cords are in a desk drawer. I found a metal hook in my desk, bent it slightly so one end is flat, then stuck it to the side of my desk by the iPads with a magnet. Now we can hook the charging cords to my desk so they're by the iPads, but not in the way! And my kiddos can charge them when they need it. Yes!
After school today we teachers got together in the office to make gift bags for the LEC speakers. Here I was thinking it would take us a half an hour or so... it only took us 10-15 minutes to make 36 bags. We got an assembly line going and stuffed the bags with candy, granola bars, gum, mints, fruit snacks, water, etc. Then someone put tissue paper in the top. We divided the bags amongst the teachers so one person doesn't have to bring all 36 to the conference tomorrow. The back of my vehicle is a lot more slippery than my old car (things tend to slide around when they're back there), so I put my portion of the bags on the floor behind my seat. Hopefully they don't get too mushed!
I actually got my to-do list for this week entirely done! And a few things on next week's list as well! I think I'm going to focus on schoolwork tonight, planning everything for next week so I don't have to think about it on my days off the rest of this week. And after posting this, I should be finished with my things at school, and I can even go home early! Woohoo!
I also had a good idea today. Our iPads are never charged up because I always forget to plug them in. The open outlets are on the other side of my desk where I can't get to them easily and the charging cords are in a desk drawer. I found a metal hook in my desk, bent it slightly so one end is flat, then stuck it to the side of my desk by the iPads with a magnet. Now we can hook the charging cords to my desk so they're by the iPads, but not in the way! And my kiddos can charge them when they need it. Yes!
After school today we teachers got together in the office to make gift bags for the LEC speakers. Here I was thinking it would take us a half an hour or so... it only took us 10-15 minutes to make 36 bags. We got an assembly line going and stuffed the bags with candy, granola bars, gum, mints, fruit snacks, water, etc. Then someone put tissue paper in the top. We divided the bags amongst the teachers so one person doesn't have to bring all 36 to the conference tomorrow. The back of my vehicle is a lot more slippery than my old car (things tend to slide around when they're back there), so I put my portion of the bags on the floor behind my seat. Hopefully they don't get too mushed!
I actually got my to-do list for this week entirely done! And a few things on next week's list as well! I think I'm going to focus on schoolwork tonight, planning everything for next week so I don't have to think about it on my days off the rest of this week. And after posting this, I should be finished with my things at school, and I can even go home early! Woohoo!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
UGH
I had to do a bunch of hard things today. It makes me want to bang my head against my desk and yell "UGH!"
First, one of my students who hates reading was super obstinate today. Not sure why. He decided he didn't want to read and was going to do everything in his power to avoid it. And he did the same for bell practice. I had to use my scary teacher voice on him. Never a fun thing to do. Eventually he joined the class, but he was still being a poop during practice.
After school I had to have a conversation with a potential chaperone for our Camp Omega trip next week. PTL agreed to pay for two chaperones (besides me), so I told parents the first two to send back the permission forms would get the paid for registrations. Anyone else would have to pay the $76 fee. Well, wouldn't you know, I get two permission slips from female chaperones back within five minutes of each other. And the first one says she's willing to pay if she doesn't get it, but the second/later one doesn't have that option checked. So now what? Fifteen students won't fit in three cars that hold only four passengers! Mr. E and I got it all straightened out with the mom, and the board of education is going to try to find the extra money somewhere so this parent doesn't have to pay.
As soon as we had all that figured out (and I sent the signed forms back to Camp Omega), I got a call from a parent asking if it would be okay for her two sons to not go on the trip because their sister was coming home from college and Thursday night would be the only time she could spend time with them. UGH! Right after I sent the forms back.
I hate it when parents ask if their kids can stay home from field trips. I'm putting in a lot of work to get everything in order, and it's supposed to be a fun time! And if I let one kid stay home, what's to stop the others from saying, "eh, think I'll stay home too." But I already let one kid do that for our Fort Ridgely field trip, so if I told the other family the boys have to go, they'll cry, "unfair, unfair!" and I'll be in trouble. Sigh. So once again, I talked to Mr. E and we decided not to fight the parent on this. So those boys will be staying home. And now I have to refigure all my money calculations on how much each family owes.
Sunday we're doing a bake sale/serving donuts after church to raise more money. I don't know how that's going to go. It sounds like a lot of parents aren't going to be helping. I just don't want to be the only one there on Sunday. Wouldn't that be great?
On the plus side, we did get a volunteer for the male chaperone. And one of the first graders brought me a piece of rhubarb pie fresh from the oven at snack time (their class made a pie I guess?). The 7th graders got excited about the Greek mythology project I'm having them do. And we had a really good Writing Workshop/Daily 5 morning jam-packed with learning. After school we had a Christmas Program planning meeting (I know, Christmas already?) and have a good start on all that. So really, most of the day has been good... it's just this last part that's been stressful.
With all this stuff going on for Camp Omega and our fundraiser and finishing up Silent Auction stuff and getting midterm grades ready for tomorrow, my brain feels like it's going in a million directions at once! So. Now that everyone else is gone and my room is quiet once again, time to get things done, one little bit at a time.
First, one of my students who hates reading was super obstinate today. Not sure why. He decided he didn't want to read and was going to do everything in his power to avoid it. And he did the same for bell practice. I had to use my scary teacher voice on him. Never a fun thing to do. Eventually he joined the class, but he was still being a poop during practice.
After school I had to have a conversation with a potential chaperone for our Camp Omega trip next week. PTL agreed to pay for two chaperones (besides me), so I told parents the first two to send back the permission forms would get the paid for registrations. Anyone else would have to pay the $76 fee. Well, wouldn't you know, I get two permission slips from female chaperones back within five minutes of each other. And the first one says she's willing to pay if she doesn't get it, but the second/later one doesn't have that option checked. So now what? Fifteen students won't fit in three cars that hold only four passengers! Mr. E and I got it all straightened out with the mom, and the board of education is going to try to find the extra money somewhere so this parent doesn't have to pay.
As soon as we had all that figured out (and I sent the signed forms back to Camp Omega), I got a call from a parent asking if it would be okay for her two sons to not go on the trip because their sister was coming home from college and Thursday night would be the only time she could spend time with them. UGH! Right after I sent the forms back.
I hate it when parents ask if their kids can stay home from field trips. I'm putting in a lot of work to get everything in order, and it's supposed to be a fun time! And if I let one kid stay home, what's to stop the others from saying, "eh, think I'll stay home too." But I already let one kid do that for our Fort Ridgely field trip, so if I told the other family the boys have to go, they'll cry, "unfair, unfair!" and I'll be in trouble. Sigh. So once again, I talked to Mr. E and we decided not to fight the parent on this. So those boys will be staying home. And now I have to refigure all my money calculations on how much each family owes.
Sunday we're doing a bake sale/serving donuts after church to raise more money. I don't know how that's going to go. It sounds like a lot of parents aren't going to be helping. I just don't want to be the only one there on Sunday. Wouldn't that be great?
On the plus side, we did get a volunteer for the male chaperone. And one of the first graders brought me a piece of rhubarb pie fresh from the oven at snack time (their class made a pie I guess?). The 7th graders got excited about the Greek mythology project I'm having them do. And we had a really good Writing Workshop/Daily 5 morning jam-packed with learning. After school we had a Christmas Program planning meeting (I know, Christmas already?) and have a good start on all that. So really, most of the day has been good... it's just this last part that's been stressful.
With all this stuff going on for Camp Omega and our fundraiser and finishing up Silent Auction stuff and getting midterm grades ready for tomorrow, my brain feels like it's going in a million directions at once! So. Now that everyone else is gone and my room is quiet once again, time to get things done, one little bit at a time.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Pork Chop Update
A few more people stopped in today to pick up their Silent Auction items. We had a very successful day... all the items went home with someone and our grand total for the auction was $2281.50! Not sure how the dinner went, but it was always busy and we didn't run out of food.
The bell songs went well; our melody player got a little shy and we lost her for a moment or two, but she found her way back and it still sounded good. The singing went all right too. It turns out the ladies' choir was also singing during the service... they like to have me join them when I can, and they had a practice before church started, but I was in the Silent Auction room getting last-minute items added, so I didn't have a chance to look over the song. Right before we had to sing I quickly scanned the music, and thankfully it was a familiar hymn. Miss N had been sitting by me and she even joined us singing! Mr. D gave a children's message. It was about building on a firm foundation, and making sure that the rock you were building on was firm. He had two rocks, both that looked real, but one was fake. He slammed the fake rock into his head! That got everyone's attention!
After everything was over, some of the 5th and 6th families helped me bring the leftover Silent Auction items to my classroom. We tucked them in the closet. Man that thing comes in handy! Hopefully everyone stops by this week to get their items so we can get the books closed on that fundraiser.
As for classroom stuff today... oh it was windy. So windy we had to be in the gym. They all wanted to play hockey, but they get a little crazy with hockey and they were already in a crazy mood to begin with, so I said no. That went over well. We did go outside for a little bit to find leaves. In science we classified plant leaves according to simple/compound and monocot/dicot. We nearly blew away!!!
We've been praying for the grandma of one of my students, and we heard that she passed away yesterday. Their family is going out to Michigan tomorrow for the funeral and such, so our classroom will be down one for the rest of the week. There's only two more days left this week; we have the Lutheran Educator's Conference on Thursday. Our school is in charge of making gift bags and introducing some of the speakers. And it turns out we also have to help do the offering and usher people up to communion during the worship service. The worship service is the very last thing of the day, and I know a bunch of us teachers at ILS were planning to skip out early to get to our various other plans for the weekend... I guess not anymore! Worship is supposed to be over by 5:30, so it won't be all that much later in the day that we get to leave.
The bell songs went well; our melody player got a little shy and we lost her for a moment or two, but she found her way back and it still sounded good. The singing went all right too. It turns out the ladies' choir was also singing during the service... they like to have me join them when I can, and they had a practice before church started, but I was in the Silent Auction room getting last-minute items added, so I didn't have a chance to look over the song. Right before we had to sing I quickly scanned the music, and thankfully it was a familiar hymn. Miss N had been sitting by me and she even joined us singing! Mr. D gave a children's message. It was about building on a firm foundation, and making sure that the rock you were building on was firm. He had two rocks, both that looked real, but one was fake. He slammed the fake rock into his head! That got everyone's attention!
After everything was over, some of the 5th and 6th families helped me bring the leftover Silent Auction items to my classroom. We tucked them in the closet. Man that thing comes in handy! Hopefully everyone stops by this week to get their items so we can get the books closed on that fundraiser.
As for classroom stuff today... oh it was windy. So windy we had to be in the gym. They all wanted to play hockey, but they get a little crazy with hockey and they were already in a crazy mood to begin with, so I said no. That went over well. We did go outside for a little bit to find leaves. In science we classified plant leaves according to simple/compound and monocot/dicot. We nearly blew away!!!
We've been praying for the grandma of one of my students, and we heard that she passed away yesterday. Their family is going out to Michigan tomorrow for the funeral and such, so our classroom will be down one for the rest of the week. There's only two more days left this week; we have the Lutheran Educator's Conference on Thursday. Our school is in charge of making gift bags and introducing some of the speakers. And it turns out we also have to help do the offering and usher people up to communion during the worship service. The worship service is the very last thing of the day, and I know a bunch of us teachers at ILS were planning to skip out early to get to our various other plans for the weekend... I guess not anymore! Worship is supposed to be over by 5:30, so it won't be all that much later in the day that we get to leave.
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