Surprises and Celebrations

Birthday fun with my sweet kids.Mrs. Dyer read us a special story when rotated to the "food room" for our party.



Surprises! Aren't they the best ever? Today will forever be included in my list of wonderful surprises. Not only was I blessed with our wonderful fourth grade moms creating a fun Christmas party for us, but I was surprised for my birthday. My dear class sat around me on the floor and each gave me words of encouragment and described something meaningful regarding me as their teacher. Wow! Now that is a moment EVERY teacher savors. Each had also taken time to make me beautiful cards that were so dear to read aloud. They truly enjoyed hearing the words on each card and seeing the care with which they had designed the cards. On top of that, they blessed me with a gift card tree filled with cards to favorite stores and restaurants of mine. How fun it that!!! And did I mention they sang "Happy Birthday" twice to me---once in the morning and again at the conclusion of our day. Thank you dear students and parents. I cherish each one of you.

One Way We Do Christmas in Rm 207

Mrs. Leadford gives us a visit to encourage us in our endeavors to bless Linwood students. Her words mean so much to us.


Sixty six sacks ready to go to Linwood Elementary

Some of our cheerful elves loading up the cars for delivery of the sacks.

I love traditions, especially at Christmas. In my family I HAVE to bake tons of cookies, open our new pj's on Christmas Eve, enjoy a big breakfast on Christmas morning while we SLOWLY open our presents, and on and on I could go. In my classroom, I have traditions too. I always read loads of Christmas books to the kids and put up my little tree, my nativity bulletin board and set out my collection of nativities. Lights twinkle as they hang from the ceiling and Christmas music plays in the background. I cherish the daily Bible lessons where we discuss the many miracles surrounding God's plan for baby Jesus to make his earthly entrance in Bethlehem.

A newer tradition in room 207 involves blessing a particular elementary school in Oklahoma City at Christmas. We collect gently used stuffed animals and books from our closets at home and then use some of our alloted party money to purchase some gloves, socks, games, crayons, and candy. Each fourth graders decorates a sack and fills it with goodies. It is precious to watch our students carefully prepare a sack and know that it is going to mean SO much to the receiver. In fact, it may be the ONLY Christmas present they receive. We pray for the students receiving them knowing God can and will use these tokens of love to communicate His love in ways we can't even comprehend.

Magnetic Field Experiment

Our class loves doing science experiments. This particular day we had to take several types of magnets and determine the strength of their magnetic field.We had a team leader for each group.
We took turns testing the magnets and followed our leader's directions
The paper clip was used to test the magnetic strength using a measuring tool in our activity manual. We could move the magnet slightly to face the paper clip but it had to remain on the starting point at all times.
We recorded our observations in a chart. We found that the size of the magnet did not necessarily determine the strength of the magnet.

Colonial Home Tour

Today we took our tour of an eighteenth century Cape Cod style home right here in Edmond. Scott and Debra Duncan graciously allow fourth grade to tour their private residence each year during our colonial studies. Bad weather forced us to reschedule from mid November until today and we were blessed with a perfect day! We learned how the house would have been built in stages with the right side of the house being completed first. The left side would be added later.The kitchen has a beautiful fireplace that can be used for cooking. The warmth it generated was so inviting.
This leather bucket was full of sand or water to put out the occasional fire that may erupt.
A mortar and pestle was used to prepare the fresh rosemary from the garden. The fragance was wonderful.
Debra is showing us how to use this reflector oven for cooking meats.
Our moms helped serve us the oatmeal prepared in a dutch oven in the fireplace kitchen.
So many details were part of cooking a meal for the family.
The authentic colors used in the house are from a buttermilk based paint. The colors stay true for years and years.
A demonstration of a flint-lock rifle. Wow, was it ever loud when Mr. Duncan shoot it.
Thank you, Duncans, for yet another marvelous glimpse into the everyday life of a middling family in the 1700's. I believe the parents were as impressed as the children. And to think, it is right in our backyard here in little old Edmond, Oklahoma!!!!

Christmas Cheer with our Book Buddies

Today we headed down the hall to the world of first grade. We enjoy our book buddy time with the classes of Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Nelson. Instead of reading today, we took some time to create an ornament together. Earlier today we had colored the nativity scene to expedite the assembling of our ornaments. When we got together, we cut out the red and green circles, the bright star and the pipe cleaners to hang it. Each first grader proudly took home their completed ornament. The fourth graders also gave them a Christmas themed cup with some fun Christmas goodies inside. Happy Birthday, Jesus! We will especially enjoy celebrating you in a variety of ways this month.