Today I noticed that all the craziness that surrounds a dress rehearsal seems to exist only for the adults. The children donned whatever we gave them, accepted the idea that more would come later and sat (stood) wherever we placed them. They performed several times and the only indication they were ready to be finished were a couple of yawns. Perhaps it was the thrill of riding a big yellow bus, or finally getting to be on the "real" stage, but they were calm and on task! Why can't we be more like them?
Our Friday water day is taking shape. We have decided to let them enjoy this hot weather by letting them get wet in every way possible. Please send your child to school in their bathing suit and bring dry clothes to change into later. They will also need a towel labeled with their name. If you want sun block on your child either put it on at home or send a labeled bottle with written permission for application (in their notebook).
Yesterday the class was introduced to the conversion of our sand table to a water table. In the conversation that followed they decided they would rather have an ocean instead of plain water so we added a few shells and plastic sea creatures. Seeing my boxes of Ocean units made the children think about the beach. It was then decided that sand should be added so I found myself in the Home Depot at 7:00 p.m. last night.
I had finished a class at the gym and knowing it was highly unlikely I would see anyone I knew, I went shopping. As I was loading 100 lb.s of sand into my car I heard the voices. I turned around and realized the voices belonged to old friends from a former church. They are retired educators, well bred and very classy. As I sniffed my sweaty body I thought about giving an apology for my appearance. It was then that one of them asked if I was buying sand for school. I suddenly remembered why I was there and stood a little straighter to answer. Not every teacher is sent by their students to the store because they have chosen to make their play area more realistic or even because they had any choice in the first place. What a privilege to get to teach in a school that encourages students and teachers to work as a team in creating their environment and a unit of study. You probably have guessed by now that we will end our year with an Ocean unit and I'll probably be back in stores - at night - after going to the gym - but proud of my mission!
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