Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Currently..... it's July!

Summer has arrived!!  School is out!  And I am still waiting for the day when there is nothing on my plate.  But that is okay...right now it is all fun things I have planned, company and grandkids, bloggy meetup and conferences.  Part of me wants the nothing to do feeling, it is summer after all, and the other part of me is so excited for all the things that are going on.

Today it is July first and I am trying to squeeze in some blogging before my mom goes home.  I LOVE linking up with Farley of Oh Boy it's Fourth Grade for her monthly currently.  It is always fun to see what everyone is doing, make a new friend or two, and share what is going on in my little corner of the world.
http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/06/july-currently.html

My mom comes every June to Utah and Nevada from Pennsylvania.  She comes and stays with my sister and me.  We travel around, hang out, go shopping, get spoiled, and go to the Shakespeare festival in Cedar City, Utah. 

My mom is a writer and the bard is one of her favorites.  Her trip is never complete without a visit to the festival.  This year did not disappoint!

Then there is the 4th of July...family, we twist arms ask nicely trying to get everyone to come to see us.  
      Then there are friends, a group of us that always hang out together all day long at the city park (we are on second generations now...little kids of the kids we partied with 20 years ago). We have food, games, water fights, crafts, and did I say food? 

My crazy husband, going for a mohawk look last year.
Yes...there is a camper because we stake out our favorite spot the night before.  You can always find us, because of the historical flags.  My husband is a collector and we put them ALL up for the 4th.
At night we break out enough glow sticks that people think we are vendors.  Little small town Elko does a pretty good job of having a fireworks show.  Fun all day long.

Can't wait to read what you are doing for the 4th! 

Friday, June 27, 2014

Five for Friday....Teenagers

Working with teenage girls at church camp is not a lot different from working with my Kindergarteners.  You are always on your toes and always having fun.  You need to make the best of things beyond your control (like the weather). 

YES.....this is June.



There can be beauty in Plan B
Here are a few more than Five....for Friday.  Thanks, Doodle Bugs Teaching for giving me this chance to share.
http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2003/06/five-for-friday-linky-party-june-27th.html
This past week I went to camp with 100 girls 12-18 and here is what I learned:
They like to sing silly songs.

They like to keep their hands busy.


There is always something new to learn, and everyone learns best when it is hands on.




 
You do have to be patient and stand in lines.
 
Everything is better with a buddy.
Here is to hoping your summer is filled with wonderful adventures and great memories!  Be sure to check out what everyone else is up to.
http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2003/06/five-for-friday-linky-party-june-27th.html


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wordless Wednesday....Butterflies

Our Butterflies are outside enjoying the sunshine and we are enjoying interacting with them.  I have had a couple of chances to take pictures (actually to have others take pictures) of my kiddos.  I just wanted to share a few from one of my moms (more to come from the other photographer).










Do you do anything fun with your butterflies?

I am having some Wordless Wednesday fun with Christina at Sugar and Spice.  Head on over!
http://www.secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2014/05/wordless-wednesday-may-28th-im-excited.html?m=1





Saturday, May 17, 2014

Have a Field Day!!!


Do you want to organize a Field Day for your class?  your grade level??  your school???
Here is a BRIGHT IDEA how to do just that.


I am linking up with more than 130 fantastic bloggers to share with you some bright ideas.  Here is my idea for how to organize a fun field day for your students.

Step1
Decide:  Who....When....Where
Those decisions will affect everything else.

This year we are having a school-wide field day at the high school track...But our principal is keeping a lid on that (as of right now it is a surprise to the staff, we are just crowd control guests).

BUT......Kindergarten wants to have a grade level field day just because it was so much fun last year.
As a team we went with last year's formula (it worked)
     *grade level (all of Kindergarten)
     *outdoor ed area (lots of grass, some shade, away from others, limited blacktop)
     *last Wednesday of the year, after lunch (early out day, limited time, don't care if kids get wet)

Step 2
Brainstorm ideas for stations and/or activities
Remember to check your resources.

Look at the equipment you and your teammates already have.  Check with parents too.  I get my rubber duckies every year from the same parent, who just happens to have a big bag full for her grandkids (we pick them up when we walk past her house on the way to the park....she has already asked me if I need them again this year).


Pool, Rubber Duckies, butterfly nets from the dollar store

Tin can stilts, our Reading Resource teacher made them for a Dr. Seuss party (The King's Stilts)
I have a portable Frisbee golf target at home that I bring.

We look at what we can borrow from the preschool.
shape obstacles and notice the water table in the background

We look at what our P.E. teacher will let us use.
Parachute and balls
sacks for sack races

We of course check Pinterest.
Found this idea on Pinterest....BUT the pool noodles were tough to form into a circle and duck tape that way.  Then I realized I was working too hard, when I had hula hoops right there.  I taped them together and tied them between to trees.  Much easier!!  Pool noodles make GREAT javelins!

Step 3
Round up your help and your supplies.
Moms, friends, special teachers who don't have class that last week, high school students, college students home from school but not yet working their summer job.


We try to have one person in charge of each station so we can wander between stations keeping an eye on the big picture.  That also gives us a chance to play with our students, run races, and shoot them with water guns.
Step 4
Map it Out
Whether you do it formally with graph paper or just a rough drawing with notes, think about where to place each activity.  Place the ones that have specific needs first, then consider the traffic patterns and space concerns.

Our students get to move freely between stations.  Most have parents running each activity.  The javelin throw needs the two trees for the target.   The water activities (rubber duckies, bubbles, and water table) are down by the spigot.  The races (bouncy horses, stilts, sacks) are along the sides where it is easier to "see" a straight line.  The parachute and obstacle course both need open spaces.  The obstacle course is in the middle of things because we didn't think it would get as much use off by itself.  It is also self monitoring (so in the middle means lots of eyes keeping behaviors in check)
HAVE FUN!!
Don't forget your water gun!

Follow me on Facebook to see how things go this year, check out my TpT store for more ideas.

Now I am so excited to check out more Great and BRIGHT Ideas.  Browse through the link up below to check out more than 130 ideas from different bloggers.  Look for a topic that interests you or a grade level to explore.  Thanks for visiting!!