A Trip to the Vet

Last week we went on our first field trip of the year.  We have just completed a reading unit on Animals Tame and Wild.  We have read about and discussed pets, service animals and the job of a veterinarian.  A local veterinarian and school parent, invited us to visit her office to continue our learning.

When we arrived we changed into our scrubs so that we could begin our training as vet for a day.

We met the office staff, technicians and other the other doctor.  We learned about scheduling appointments, checking in and how pets are weighed with the help of a patient and registered therapy dog named Rudy.  We learned how good veterinary care keeps Rudy healthy and able to do his jobs of visiting nursing homes and reading with children. 

We met Officer Eli, who is a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois mix.  He a police officer who knows how to find missing persons and can sniff out drugs and track down 'bad guys".  Officer Eli and his partner helped us learn how to ask permission before approaching a dog and then how safely meet a dog.

Hammy the  basset hound was the patient as we learned how to listen to heart and lungs.  We each got a chance to hear Hammy's heart.  We also saw an x-ray of Hammy's stomach after he had swallowed rocks!

Clifford helped us understand how pets are cared for when they need surgery.

We met a giant Nemo in the x-ray room, looked at a spider in a microscope, saw the isolation room and learned so much more. 

We had a wonderful day.  Perhaps one of these little ones will be a vet someday!

A Trip to the Library via Memory Lane

I love libraries!
I grew up in a neighboring community and when I was a small child the library was behind and under Dairy Queen.  I feel certain if it were still there today I would be unimpressed.  It was small and dark, but I remember it so fondly. It was a great place with so many books just waiting for me to take them out to read in a tent in my backyard or under the covers at night. In order to get a library card, I needed to be able to write my own name. I can still remember practicing to get my name small enough to sit on that little line so that I could get my first library card.

Today that library is a beautiful, large, and modern library like so many others in our neighborhoods. We all have access to many services and programs at our local libraries.  Using a library is easier than ever before.  You can reserve and renew your books online.  Are you taking advantage of all your local library has to offer?

Your local library is a great resource. Think about taking out books on a subject that your child is studying at school or more books by an author your child is enjoying.  Stock up on new titles to read together at bedtime.  Does your child know that feeling of responsibility and joy of having their own library card?  (Yes, you still must sign as the responsible adult).  Do you remember your first library card? For me it is a sweet memory of accomplishment. Consider allowing your little one to get a library card the next time you visit.  Make time in your busy schedule to visit the library.  When you take your children to the library they learn that you think reading is important.

We are blessed with a great library here at school.  We have a great librarian who carefully chooses great books to read to our class every Thursday.  After story time, there are interesting centers to visit.  The children have opportunities to participate in puppet shows, readers theater and even work on making books.  Children may borrow a new book each week as long as they remember to return their book from last week. Enjoy a peek at our class enjoying some time in our school library.

Celebrating Roald Dahl's 100th Birthday and the Love of a Good Story

This week we joined the celebration of author Roald Dahl's 100th birthday.  Our K-8 classes joined together for a celebratory assembly.  

Some teachers shared favorite Roald Dahl books.  Some told about his love of a good story and shared quotes. Others shared about about his life as a WWII pilot. All students who had read or listened to a Roald Dahl book were entered to win a special prize!  Seven winners who had a golden ticket won a bag of Roald Dahl book and a bar of his favorite candy.

One of our classmates had a golden ticket!

                          Congratulations!

The fun continued as we made Chocolate Gak in keeping with a Willie Wonka theme.  We worked together with our Kindergarten and Second Grade friends.  The room smelled wonderful and we had so much fun.

We read books, sang Happy Birthday, ate cupcakes and a good time was had by all.

We plan these events to share with our children our love of books.  Good readers have readers in their lives. We want to be those adult readers in your child's life.  Do your children know what you are reading?  Do they know that you think that reading is exciting and worth celebrating? Share the joy of a good book with your little one tonight.

The 10th Day of School

He is here!  Zero the Hero has been spotted at our school!

Yesterday was the 10th day of school.  As we were having our Morning Review with our friends in Kindergarten and Second Grade who should appear but that masked mathematical marvel, Zero the Hero, himself! He posed for pictures, taught us the importance of zero and gave us a lesson on place value.  Since zero is his favorite number he shared a sweet treat of gummy zeros with us.  As quickly as he appeared, he was then gone amidst chants of "Zero saves the place! Zero saves the place!" - but not before promising to return on the 100th day of school.  

Some couldn't help noticing the slight resemblance to our headmaster - but no...it couldn't be, or could it?

First Day of School

They arrived this morning with new backpacks and sharp crayons.  They were so happy to see friends and delighted to finally be in first grade.  We welcomed six new children to our class this year and it is always so exciting to make new friends.  We were blessed with gorgeous weather for our first day of first grade.  Outdoor recess gave the little ones a chance to play and chat with each other.  They are excited for their first night of homework.  Will that last?  I am looking forward to see their smiling faces tomorrow.

Waiting for the First Day of School...

This afternoon the room is so still and quiet.  In just a few hours this room will be filled with laughter and giggles.  New friendships will begin, the pencil points will all be sharp and the crayons will be new.  The room is ready except for the important little ones who will fill these seats in the morning.  There are lessons to be learned and books to be read and a teacher who can hardly wait until tomorrow to see you.  Get a good nights rest and we will begin our year together in the morning.

Snowy recess equals happy children!

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We love the snow!