School's Out for Summer

In Front of Charleston City Market

The students' last day was May 25th.  Teachers' last day was Friday, June 1st.  My sister and I took off to spend the night with my sister in Charlotte, and then the three of us drove to Charleston, SC. I loved our last minute getaway.  We stayed in Kings Courtyard Inn, in historic downtown, Charleston.  We were able to walk everywhere that we wanted to go. We ate at Mercato's, an Italian restaurant, and listened to jazz. Then we went dancing at Henry's/NV.

My Own Room

 

 

 

 

The next day, we took a carriage tour, and learned some interesting facts about the history of Charleston and about the buildings and homes.  I must go again and tour the beautiful homes.  I loved the ironwork, shutters, columns, and porches (piazzas as they're called in Charleston).  Notice the red dots on some of  the businesses if you're ever in Charleston.  There were some architectural details that had to be covered, because of their suggestive nature. It is interesting how the houses of ill-repute were in close proximity of the worship houses. Our guide left me wanting to do research about the colors of the houses on Rainbow Row and about Robert Smalls. 

"Magic" leads us through town toward Phillips Episcopal Church

Calhoun Mansion

After our tour, we shopped at Charleston City Market.  I had to buy a small sweet grass basket, when I found out about the history.  One day I'll be able to afford a bigger basket.  The vendors make the baskets themselves.  A few of the vendors were practicing the art while shoppers watched.

Sweet Grass Basket made the vendor's dad

We also rode across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.  I have a fear of bridges, so this picture was challenging for me, especially since we were in a convertible. The bridge has a pedestrian/bike lane.  That's really awesome, but you will not find me in that lane.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

Since there are no workshops this summer, I hope to take more "last minute" getaways and read.  I am going to be following the Daily Five Book Study.  I just got my hands on that series that everyone is talking about.  You know the one, Fifty Shades of Grey?  I'm also going to begin a new venture to make extra money.  I'll tell you more about that when I get started. Right now I'm fighting a hateful sinus infection. That makes it hard to imagine a great summer, but I'm determined to have a great summer break.

Book Character Parade

We had our first Book Character Parade to kick off a week of "Weeks".  The media specialist (aka Wonder Woman) incorporated Teacher Appreciation Week, Children's Book Week, Music Week, and PE Week into the event. 

Students carried signs that read, "I Love My Teacher", "PE is Fun", or "Music Rocks".  Everyone walked one mile around the track, in our costumes, for PE. There were also signs posted around the track about what great teachers and staff we have. We listened to some rockin' music as we walked.  The district's mascot, Rock Star was our special guest. Rock Star had another event to shoot to, so he/she was not available for the picture.  There were some really awesome student costumes, but I want to get permission before I post their pictures. This picture has already made its rounds on Facebook and the newspaper.

I'm looking forward to next year's parade.

Lemonade for Sale

Ready for Business

We were able to integrate social studies and math on Tuesday.  We have been talking about goods and services, needs and wants, and supply and demand in social studies.  I introduced money into our classroom management, so we have been learning how to count money also. Our annual field day took place on Tuesday.

After talking to the PE teacher, I realized that no one was selling snow cones or cotton candy like they did at last year's field day. I had almost an entire bulk-sized canister of lemonade left from my grand-daughter's birthday party.  I saw an opportunity for first graders to make money to get games for the Leapster Explorers or Leap Pads that were obtained from Donors Choose or a Reading Association grant.

During Guided Reading, one group of students read Making Lemonade-a Reading A-Z book.  Another group read Lemonade Stand.  We also used Lemonade Stand during Guided Math groups, since it involved counting coins. 

Sack Race

Parachute

Parents were available to help sell lemonade so the students could enjoy the field day events.  We could see our lemonade stand from the field.  The students got so excited when they saw the long line of customers.  They were even more excited when we counted the money.  We made more money than we thought we would.  We could have made more, but we ran out of lemonade.  That was another lesson that the "little entrepreneurs" learned. 

From Here to There

The Hot Seat

We finished our unit on transportation with a field trip to the NC Transportation Museum.  The students loved the train ride.  They learned about the first form of transportation. :)  We learned that one of the first cars was the originator of the phrase, "...in the hot seat."  The engine was under the driver's seat, and that made the seat hot.  That same car had a lever that the driver used instead of a steering wheel.  The students can tell you that Rudolph Diesel invented the diesel engine.

The Backseat Driver: The controls were in the back.

Our interactive bulletin board was created by using the My Community and Every Day Paper Dolls Cricut cartridges. A few pictures were included from our field trip also.  We counted the wheels on the forms of transportation and made a line plot.  Later we will use the line plot to answer some questions.  We will also sort the transportation by whether it travels by air, land, or water.

Disappearing Wheel Barrow :)

I've Been Tagged!

Kristi and Crystal at Teaching Little Miracles tagged me.  I hope you'll play along.  Here are the rules;

Post these rules

Answer the 10 questions posted for you.

Create 10 questions that you want to ask people that you will be tagging.

Tag ten people and link them with your post. Don't forget to let them know that they've been tagged!

 

 Here the questions they had for me, and my answers.

1.         How long have you taught? I've taught for 5 years, but been in education for 18 years.

2.         What state do you teach in?  North Carolina

3.         What are your contract hours at school? 9+

4.         Lunch – duty? or duty free? Duty :(

5.         What reading series do you use? Harcourt Trophies

6.         What math series do you use?  Harcourt

7.         What is your favorite hobby? Sewing (I haven't had time for this, lately.)

8.         What is the last movie you watched? The Lorax with my grand-daughter

9.         What is your favorite season and why? Spring- It's a time for renewal and the temperature is just right. 

10.     What is your favorite game to play with students? Using Silent-Speed Ball as review or practice.

Here my questions;

1. What is something funny that has happened to you this year?

2. What would you be doing if you weren't teaching?

3. What is your guilty pleasure?

4. Which Web 2.0 tools do you use on a regular basis?

5. Which enrichment classes are available at your school?

6. How many students do you have?

7. Do you have an assistant?  Full or part-time?

8. Have you traveled outside the country? Where?

9. What is the most useful staff development you've participated in?

10. If you have a class theme, what is it?

These are the bloggers who I've tagged;

First Class With Mrs. Mac

Heather's Heart

Learning With Mrs. Parker

Ms. Peppy

Saylor's Log

Always First Grade

Peterson's Pad

Flipping For First

First Grade Jungle

First Grade Owls