Surprise Guest

We had a surprise guest on our second to last day of school!

Ms. Leom's classes' Phy-Ed teacher, Mrs. Dahlberg came for a visit and brought her month old son. So exciting to see such a sweet baby up close!! The perfect surprise!

Kickball

When Ms. Leom was a child, kickball was all the rage. Ok, maybe it wasn't all the rage, and I am not sure she even liked it all the time, but it was a game - along with Trench and Dodgeball - we played regularly at recess, at phy-ed, and for rewards. On Thursday, Ms. Hakes-Anderson, Mr. Lyon, and Ms. Leom's classes went out to the field and played a game of kickball. For many students, they learned a new game to play. The game ended with a 12-12 tie. It was a fun morning, on the second to last day of school to form a team and make some new memories.

Still plenty to learn in fourth grade.

In Water Colors

Grades were due on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. iPads needed to have their memory cleared and brought to the technology experts on Wednesday before we left school. What does a teacher do with their class for the last two days of school ... ? We started with self care. When we talk about Olweus and bully prevention, we also talk about self care. One way we take care of ourselves is doing creative activities for no reason than to just create. Today, Ms. Leom pulled out her box of water color paints, and the magic speaks for itself.

This activity was added to the top of my list of things I MUST DO with students more often next year!

Book Breakfast

23 years ago, I moved to Milaca and started teaching third grade. At the end of the year, I asked my first class, what can I do different to be better. Their response? They loved making books in first and second grade, and they wanted to do it again. But how does one "add a level"? In first and second grade, the school purchased blank books, and after going through the writing process, the students carefully copied their stories into their books. They had an "author's tea" and shared their books. I decided the next step would be to sew bindings and craft hard cover books from card board. Over the years, I perfected the project. I didn't want to take away from what they were doing in first and second grade, so we have a "book breakfast" to share our publishing skills. For the first few years, I published books on my own, being the only classroom to participate. For the past eighteen years, I have shared book publishing in fourth grade. It has grown to be a fourth grade tradition where all fourth graders participate. Next year, I will be transitioning to teach third grade, and I will leave behind this great project and fun for third grade traditions and learning. As I prepare for the move and adventure back to my third grade roots, people ask me what I will miss most. I think book publishing and the Book Breakfast with all the fabulous families who support our learning with their time and encouragement, will be at the top of the list.

With the rain, we packed the elementary cafeteria. Fills my heart!

So proud of all these inspiring writers!