Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Rehearsals and rocks have been filling our days lately.  As the children tramp up to the Drama room to sing and move I am amazed at their great attitudes and desire to sing the songs one more time.  The have asked to listen to their rehearsal CD at rest time for the last week and each day they sing a little louder (and more in tune)  with clearer words.  I'm here to tell you this is gonna be wonderful!

Last Friday I seeded the sand box with bags of gemstones and rocks I bought from the Science Museum.  Karen and I took the children out and showed them how to "pan" for gems using sieves and water.  After the first beautiful rock was found, digging began in earnest and lasted until we literally ran out of time.  I have noticed a group of dedicated diggers continuing the dig and our rock container now has a large variety of beautiful stones to classify this week.

Next week we will begin an ocean unit.  We have been listening to a fun pirate song most of this year so when I mentioned ocean the children naturally wanted to include a little pirate fun. I recently purchased a mask making program so we opened it up to view possible pirate masks.  as the children oohed and aahed and laid claim to their favorite faces, Sam heard me mention the word stegosaurus.  He requested this be his mask.  I questioned whether he just wanted the dinosaur or if it would be a pirate of some kind.  Silly me, of course it would be a dinosaur pirate!  Yes, I remember now why I teach this age group.

We have 2 really fun field trips coming up and both will be with our buddies in Keri's room! First we will go to Blue Ridge Farm Museum, by Ferrum College, on May 29. We'll leave at 9:00 and return around 1:45. Fruit Break and lunch will be eaten there. We need a driver or 2 for this trip. Jacinda and Katie have offered and can carry 5 in each of their vehicles. Thanks to both for their help. 

Our next field trip is to the newly renovated Science Museum and Butterfly Garden. We are scheduled at the museum from 9:30-11:30 on Tuesday, June 4. After a guided tour we will have a live animal (probably reptile) demonstration and then tour the Butterfly Garden. There are currently only about 5 species of butterflies in the garden but the rest are supposed to arrive this week. We have received a group rate for our students and teachers. Parents wishing to accompany us can only receive this rate if you let me know by Monday, the 20th. I have to give the museum a week's notice for numbers. Parent who accompany us without advance notice will be charged the normal museum rate.

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