The Bigger Picture

Yes, more photos from our wonderful first day with our Book Buddies ! I couldn't help but think about the "bigger picture" today as I posted this blog. Yes, the students are having a great time, and, yes, these minutes together do provide great reading practice on both ends. BUT, the best part is that my fourth graders have an opportunity to show leadership, to step out of their comfort zone, to extend love and care, and, bottom line, they can model Jesus to these first graders. It is putting hands and feet to their faith. It is taking time to encourage, honor, and give preference to another. I pray today will be just the beginning of countless opportunities for our class to show Jesus this year.

Meeting Our Book Buddies

Book buddies is an awesome way to connect our older and younger students. Our class has paired up with two first grade classes. Today was our first time together. I was so proud of my fourth graders as they introduced themselves to their book buddies and took them to a corner of our classroom to share a book or two. In some cases, the first graders read out loud, and, in other cases, they enjoyed being read to by a fourth grader. There were tons of smiles and hugs and the precious sound of words on a page coming to life.







The proud teachers watching our students engaged in learning!

Bug-Eyed About the Bug Fair

Friday was our Bug Fair. This translates into anticipation, excitement and plenty of adjectives as fourth graders moved from desk to desk and room to room to view all the bug collections on display. There were "ooohs and aaahhs"; comments such as "cool", "amazing", "ugh", and "yucky" and plenty of stories about how they caught various insects, used tweezers to put them in baggies, and gingerly put them in the freezer at home where life quickly concluded for those creatures. The students had to follow directions for mounting the insects with pins or glue and labeling them. The end result was a wonderful Bug Fair for our fourth graders.

We are obviously proud of our efforts!!!!



Isn't this a fine speciman below?


We all agreed that finding insects in Oklahoma isn't too terribly difficult. It seems we have an abundance EVEN during the record-breaking temperatures of this past summer.

Bug Designers

Our current science unit is insects and spiders. This is always a BIG hit with our boys but may often contain a little less enthusiasm from our girls :). After all, bugs can be rather "yucky" or "scary", according to our female population. Since everyone, however, enjoys using their imagination, we took some time to design our own bugs. We made certain each creation contained characteristics common to insects including: eyes, antennae, mouth, head, thorax, abdomen, and six legs. They all came up with their own name for their insect. I am sure you will agree that we came up with some amazing critters.

Seriously! Hot Enough To Fry An Egg

To say that it has been EXTREMELY HOT in Oklahoma this summer is somewhat of an understatement. Record breaking temperatures over 100 for all of June, July AND August. Last week when third grade teacher, Mrs. Van Curen and I were doing recess duty each day from 11:30 until 12:00, we decided it might be fun to try to literally fry an egg outside on the playground. With the temperature about 105F, a cement playground, and no shade in sight, we tried it out.

A black frying pan sitting in the middle of a playground started to gather some attention.
We drew a crowd of spectators who were so hot, they were happy for this little diversion. The majority weren't too sure what to think...... I only know they did not want to be asked to eat that egg under any circumstances. We watched it begin to form tiny bubbles around the perimeter.
Then recess ended. We all went inside for class, but two hours later on our way to Technology class, this is what we found. Yes, seriously, it was hot enough in Edmond, Oklahoma to fry an egg!!!!