Reader's Workshop

Thanks to Ms. Wright's planning, my kids read and write in the workshop style. There is an article today about workshop in NYTimes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html

Camoflauge and Mimicry Museum

We are studying animals this unit in science. Today is camo and mimicry day. To start this out, we are having a gallery walk in the classroom. Classical music is playing and there is a no talking rule as they peruse the "animal art" and take notes on how the animals are hiding and hypothesizing as to why they might be hiding. 

Admission is free if you're interested :) 

Sick..booo

I am home sick ALREADY! I was planning on trying not to miss nearly as many days as last year as a year two "vet." So much for that.

I had great reports about the kiddies today. They make me so proud! I have to thank my superstar TFA colleagues for taking on a few extra kids for the day as I didn't realize I was sick early enough this morning to get a sub. I don't know what I would do without all of their support. Half of my kids got to return to their 3rd or 2nd grade teachers which was a lot of fun for them. The majority went to Ms. Wright's class which is AWESOME as our classes are essentially identical so they didn't miss a thing!

YG called right after school to "check on me" and see if I would be at school tomorrow. She told me she would bring me soup if I would please come to school. I love them.

Even more books on my doorstep!

I cannot thank everyone enough!

PARTAY!

My class earned their first party today by earning compliments around campus.

The first party was a milk and cookies party that turned into a dance party extravaganza. We did the cha cha slide, cupid shuffle, and the electric slide. My kids have rhythm. I think they were shocked to learn their teacher actually does too.

LIBROS!

The kids are BEYOND excited that the first batch of biographies from my grandma came today.

Teachable moment...

One of our crickets has decided that today is a perfect day to molt. This is rather convenient for us teachers. What better way to describe an arthropod as a creature whose skeleton is OUTSIDE of their body. Currently, this cricket's skeleton is located about 5 inches away from the rest of his white, squishiness.

Now THAT is an EXOskeleton!

My kids are...freaked, excited, grossed out, confused.