Class Awards & Gifts

This morning was the big day I've been both anticipating and dreading.  I've been working hard on some special items for these kids and today was the unveiling.  I've been excited to see their reaction; but, very nervous because I have to talk in front of parents!  I'm great with the kids, but you put adults in the room and I get tongue-tied and self-conscious!  These kids know my sense of humor and personality; but, you parents only see snapshots of me.  With it all, it went GREAT (at least I think it did!)

As I've been telling these kids, they are a very special batch.  I have the privilege of working with amazing kids every year; but, only every few years do I get the opportunity to work with an exceptional class that comes together as this batch has!

We started our morning with "candy" awards that represented personalities.  I know some of the candy wasn't always the favorite candy; but, it was more about the personality trait representing the students.  This was a hard task because so many awards could have been given to so a lot of different students.  I think my favorite ones were the awards I described and the students knew exactly who would get it ~ yep, we ALL know who our "baseball minded" kid is!

Next, I presented the students with a project I hope they will cherish for many years to come!  A month ago we took time to write one word we felt described each of our classmates.  I took those words and created a word web for each student (and myself).  Printed, framed and wrapped, these became a going away gift for the students.  My hope is when they are feeling down on themselves, they will return back to this item and remember what their classmates thought of them and have a little pick me up!  Here's what the class thought of their teacher:

Lastly, I gave the students a very special coloring book.  What's so special about a coloring book?  Well, it's all about them!  I spent A LOT of time trying to get this as close to perfect as I could; but, I took pictures from throughout the school year and made it into a coloring book for the kids.  They seemed to be impressed with this I think.  Here's a sample picture of our book:

Original Image from our field trip

Color book page from the picture to the left

It's a very bittersweet day today!  Looking forward to summer vacation; but, I really don't want these kids to grow up and move on to 3rd grade.

Game Day ~ What Was I Thinking?

Last week of school, time to wind down and yearbooks being released from my room, what better thing to do than a game day? It'll keep kids busy as I have constant interruptions of students coming and going to get yearbooks.  Boy, was this a mistake!  These kids aren't classmates, they are a bunch of siblings arguing like 2 & 3 year olds.  We'll get through this game day and then NO more!  I can hear this at home with my own boys and it's not nearly as loud.

Special thanks to the family that sent on Rock Em Bots game.  My head hurts so much just hearing it you'd think I was being pounded in the head :)

Important part, they are all having fun and want to continue playing!

Ice Cream In a Bag

Yesterday we had a great science experience that tied in with our field trip last week ~ we made our own ice cream in a bag!  It was a great experience loaded with lots of fun and super easy.  I highly suggest taking some time this summer and doing it with your kids at home.

Supplies:
Milk/Cream
Sugar
Vanilla
Rock Salt
Ice
Zip Lock Bags

You take 2 Zip Lock bags (we highly suggest you use the name brand so they won't spring a leak so easily).  In the larger bag, you place rock salt and ice.  In the smaller Zip Lock bag you place sugar, vanilla, and milk.  Be sure to mix them enough to make the sugar dissolve.  Once ready, place the smaller bag in to the larger bag and shake for about 5-10 minutes.  You will end up with ice cream!

There are ways to make other flavors than vanilla; but, we went with simplicity!  The kids had a blast and enjoyed their creation.  If you look to do this at home, there are plenty of sites to help with other flavors.  Sorry there aren't any pictures, I was having too much fun watching them mix it all up.

Student of the Month

Each month our class has chosen a student as the "Student of the Month."  This year I have allowed the class to vote and select who would represent Room 14 at the monthly Student of the Month party.  I have not been posting much about this throughout the year; but, this month I had to post!  As it gets further along in the year, it often gets more difficult to select that one student who stands out.  This time, I had several who I could see earning the honor; however, it was the last one of the school year.  I talked with the kids and we discussed what qualities the student of the month should have and how they need to show it in the classroom AND on the playground.  The class voted and we ended in a tie that I could not break, so I opted to send both students (shh, don't tell anyone!)

The best part, one of the boys who was voted in responded with, "Really?  I've never been a student of the month!"  You could hear the excitement (and pride) in his voice.  It was at that moment I had a talk with both boys who won this last student of the month and I was able to tell them I kept hearing from their classmates how much they have changed this year.  One student said, "He's gotten really nice.  Last year he was always annoying."  Another student said, "He's fun to play with now."  Of course one student piped in with, "I think he's just afraid of Mr. Price."  I could see the boys really beaming as they saw their classmates truly saw them as friends and heard nice things being said about them.

Very proud of the work these two boys have done for me in my class this year!  Hope that feeling sticks with them and I hear about them getting more student of the month awards in years to come!

Playday

Playday was a big hit today!  So much fun getting out and just playing on the playground and having fun with other classes.  It's a little sad to see how much smaller it is compared to a few years ago; but, it is still a lot of fun getting out there and enjoying the kids from other classrooms and seeing all the teachers cut loose a bit.  I will admit, this year's class was a little too competitive for my liking!  I had to remind them a few times that it wasn't a huge competition.

I think the highlight of the day for me was our shirts and buffs!  I've had several compliment our class and how well we could be spotted from across campus.  Several didn't think I'd actually wear mine; but, if they know me, they know I'll do anything for my class ~ no matter how ridiculous I may look!  (At one point someone said I reminded them of Richard Simmons).

Here's a picture of our class sporting their Playday gear:

Field Trip ~ Rosa Dairy Farms

Today we had an incredible day away from school.  We came in this morning and prepared ourselves to set off on our 2nd grade field trip.  A day of fun and learning.  First stop, Rosa Dairy Farms.

At the Rosa Dairy we learned some history about the Rosa family and how they began their family dairy that has passed on to the next generation.  For those that are wondering, yes, we are talking about the Rosa Dairy that produces the valley famous milk such as the rootbeer milk and the orange cream milk!

Once we learned a little about the dairy and their family, we had time for a few questions ~ boy was that a mistake!  There was the dreaded question no teacher wants to hear.  "How do you know if the cows are boys or girls?"  I held my breath as the speaker stated they have different parts just like in "real life" and then she changed that to humans because cows are in real life as well.  It was probably one of my favorite parts of the day as I look back!

After we had our talk, we were able to board the dairy's "Moo Mobile" to ride around their dairy.  Unfortunately no photography was allowed on the tiny bus; but, I can say the tour is amazing!  I love how the kids are able to drive around that dairy and see everything without getting out and worry about them touching things they shouldn't or slipping and falling.  I wish I had my own "Moo Mobile" to take me around cmapus :)

After the drive around the dairy, we were able to get out and pet a calf!  The calf was very cute; but, also very active!  She jumped quite a bit and we had to watch the kids from scaring her even more.

Matthew, Mark, Gavin, Gabriella, Jayden, and Ethan all try to get a feel of the calf as she bounces throughout her pen

Once done checking out the calf, we got to go do a milking challenge to see how well the kids could milk a cow!  Don't worry, it was a simulation activity.  We had 2 students who were the clear winners of the class being able to milk out 13 ounces in 30 seconds ~ WOW!

Brooklyn is determined to milk this cow dry

Kaden is not going to be outdone as he figures out how to milk this "cow"

After this experience we cleaned up and got to try some milk samples.  Most students chose the chocolate or rootbeer flavored milk.  I opted for the my first ever taste of the orange creme ~ hmm, wishing I had more of that right now!  Very yummy stuff.

From the Rosa Dairy we headed over the Civic Auditorium for lunch and Superior Dairy ice cream!  It was a great cool day to sit and have a picnic.

Gabriella and Brooklyn enjoy their picnic with a friend from the other class!  (I only post pictures of those I have permission slips signed from, that's why the friend is smiling extra special here!)

The only picture I have from ice cream is on my cell phone.  I would gladly post Wyatt's chocolate mustache and beard; but, that was taken to text to his mom so I don't have it available to post here.  But, ice cream was a big hit.

With ice cream done and put away, we then moved over to the carousel. We patiently waited our turn while Mrs. Marshall's class went on. Once we got on, the fun began for us!

Gabriella, Brooklyn, Wyatt, Mark & Kaden all wait patiently for their turn on the carousel.
(I'm guessing that's Ethan probably making funny faces at them)

Jonna is ready to take her ride

Gabriella, Brooklyn and Mark are eager to get moving around and around

It was a great day that has made this teacher one VERY tired guy!  Looking forward to Playday tomorrow, but also dreading it a little because my legs and feet are ready to fall off.

3rd Trimester Wildcat Trip

We had an amazing end of year Wildcat trip to Visalia Lanes today!  The kids were excited and pumped to enjoy a morning of bowling as a reward for their great behavior this last trimester.  I'm so proud of them as there have only been 2 students who have received tags this trimester; that means 19 have not received any!

The kids weren't the only ones enjoying the bowling alley.  I had the fun of bowling some of their turns for them.  Of course, in my old age I may need to ice my arm tonight :)

Enough of my talking, what you really want to here today is some of the pictures I snapped of our trip!

Jonna watches as her ball heads down the lane.

Jayden looks so enthused to prepare for his turn ~ dude, we're supposed to be having FUN!

Love this shot of Angelina as she walks away from what looks like what a great toss down the lane ~ the aura is that of a winner!

Gabriella prepares to take her turn as her classmates check their scores on the board

Joey seems VERY happy with that  shot ~ or VERY upset, sometimes you just can't tell with this kid!

Gabriella looks like she's walking the runway, but I think she's trying to figure out how she's going to get that nasty split down there

Wyatt takes time to glance at the camera before taking his turn

Wow, how many kids can bowl the ball at a time??  Or are they preparing to attack the teacher?