Thank you Firefighters

October is Fire Safety Month and we were so excited Firefighter Drexler was making a visit to share some safety tips and answer any questions the firsties might have.  We had no idea Port Orange Fire Station 71 was bringing the fire truck!  We enjoyed our time with these dedicated firemen.  We were able to see a full uniform, hear their voice with an air pack on, touch their glove, learn about tools on a fire truck, and even got to walk through the fire truck cab!  The children learned about fire safety and the importance of having a family meeting space in case of an emergency.  I had the students write thank you cards and then record themselves reading the cards.  I tried to get them all together to make 1 class video.  We even had some friends make a ChatterPix Kid video with their pictures.  Too cute. Enjoy and thank a fireman for all the hard work they do every day.

Columbus Day exploring...

Cutest explorers you ever did see right?  OK you are thinking where is my kid.  Someone was out but then we had some rely release kids too.  I had to quick get a class shot before anyone else went home.  We talked about what an explorer is and even used this from Wonderopolis http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/where-is-the-next-frontier/ The only bad thing was the video would't play through the school filters.  We used some scientific inquiry to make a sail for an egg carton ship.  The kids did great and had so much fun watching their boats float across. Watch this, too cute, just love them!

What a way to end the year!

You are probably reading the headline and thinking wait, what?  It is only October where has the time gone? Exactly where has the time gone?  This is a post that is long overdue! Hopefully I won't get to emotional.  

My son Carson had the privilege to have Mrs. Spies and Mrs. Williams as teachers and the knowledge he learned will stay with him throughout his life.  I should know I strive to inspire like these 2 ladies do, some days I come close other days well you know teachers have dreams...  At Cypress Creek we talk about life skills and these are skills you use everyday to be a more productive human being.  Classes make skits and perform on the morning announcements, Otters of the Week awards are given out, and they are on display in classrooms.  These 2 classes headed a school wide campaign to collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house.  They measured and calculated class averages.  They gave updates and made public service announcements to promote their campaign.  They even collect supplies to donate on their field trip over as a culminating activity.  See one of the teachers has a family member that has been a recipient of stays at Ronald McDonald houses right here in Florida.  Can you image going to the doctor and the doctor saying your child has to be admitted right now and there is no time to waste.  But, but I need to find a place to stay, I need a toothbrush, I need... but wait I can't leave my child. In steps the Ronald McDonald house to provide a home away from home so you can be near your sick child.  

I can't imagine...

These kids worked so hard and they were moved to visit the house, donate the supplies, and even received a tour from Cameron himself! Thank you for helping collect those pop tabs and keep sending them in. 

After the tour we went over the Orlando Science Center for an overnight field trip, I know crazy right? I asked my hubby if he wanted to be a chaperone and he said it wasnt his skill set. haha mine though and what a time to look back to one day.  It was an incredible adventure and with the kids he has been in class with since 2nd grade.  See this was Carson's 5th grade year and the last year I would take him to school with me, see him in the halls throughout the day, and get to be part of his class before heading off to middle school.  We made the most of it.  We laughed, played, and yes we did get sleep.  It was so much fun! I mean really how cute is this kid?!?

Thank you Mrs. Spies and Mrs. Williams for being the teachers to inspire my son to think of someone other than himself, to believe in miracles, and to love learning! We thank you from the bottoms of our heart and more...

Apple Day

Another Apple Day in the record books.  What a day it was!  Thanks to the families donating apple items we were able to have an apple tasting party.  Yummy!  We had Apple Jacks, applesauce, apple cider, apple juice, apple jelly on crackers, and a homemade apple pie.  We had some special helpers come in for some center activities.  We put together apple puzzles, sorted math pictures, rolled number generators and created math problems.  A highlight was the 5 senses apple table.  Read apples won out for the best taste.  Does an apple sink or float?  At first we thought sink but then we used our inquiry skills and tried it out.  Our apple floated?!? can you believe it?  We then had to set up a container of water to try it out over and over again.  We are the best scientists ever!  Make sure to check out our good times through this slide show.

Open House 2014

Open House was HUGE success!  We work so hard to create an environment of learning and anxiously wait for Open House to show it off.  My class is beautiful.  What a group of workers and their families were just precious!  Our PTA and business partners put on an EXPO in the courtyard and the Book Fair is also open.  We open the doors and in a few short moments we are filled with joy, laughter, and excitement!  There was a scavenger hunt so the kids could show the important things.  We made a video of the 1st ePub short i book each of our friends help make.  I talked and ran around to take pictures.  Enjoy the video and just take in all the excitement.

or here if it is too blurry...

Open House teaser...

21 days, 17 kids, iPad minis, math, dot cards, science tools, responsibility, rules, Zero the Hero, laws, sense, writing, reading, RAZ Kids, and 1 VERY proud teacher...

Trying to keep up with the blog, Twitter, Instagram, and oh so much more...oh but it is so fun.  Tomorrow night is Open House and I finally got the Open House teaser trailer done.  I sent it out late using the fabulous Remind app but maybe some parents didn't get it.  Won't they be in for a surprise in the morning. :) I can hardly wait for all the parents, the kids, the Book Fair, and oh the smiles.  I will have to take more pictures imagine that?  Watch this trailer and prepare for a classroom like no other...

Happy Grandparent's Day! 2014

YIPPEE today is Grandparent's Day! This week was so fun listening to stories about grandmas cooking, grandpas fishing, Nanas shopping, and Poppeys playing Legos.  Seriously I remember my grandma like yesterday.  I am so blessed that my class 2 years ago sent me this plant after her funeral and it is a lovely reminder of her each day.

Each friend wrote about a grandparent and we decorated a page to give them.  We even made handprint hugs to send in the mail to some far away.  They are so proud of their efforts.

 Watch as we share an extra special wish for a Happy Grandparent's Day!