Penguins in Guatemala: A Field Trip Adventure

This week we went on our last field trip of the year to the zoo.  The kids love to go to the zoo and it is actually a very clean and safe place to go here in Guatemala.  It's the rainy season here, but fortunately we didn't have even one drop of rain on our field trip.  We took advantage of the good weather and saw all the exhibits!  We saw everything from bears to capybaras to deer. 

The biggest hit was the new aquarium.  It is small, but well kept and new. 

 

 

The newest exhibit at the zoo is the penguins.  We walked all over the zoo looking for the penguins, only to encounter them on our way out of the zoo.  I was impressed with the viewing platforms that allowed for many people to view the exhibit at once.  My students loved getting up close to the glass and watching the penguins swim.  We arrived back at the school tired from all the walking, but we felt accomplished for having seen the penguins!

Middle Grades Maven 1,000 Follower Giveaway

Middle Grades Maven is having a 1,000 follower giveaway and it ends tomorrow!  Hurry on over for a chance to win my All About Poets WebQuest in the 3-6 Bundle.  There is a bundle for everyone K-12!  Good luck!

Packing, Moving, and New Opportunities

It's my last two weeks at this school and I am spending the time helping to pack up the entire school.  The school is moving out of the downtown area to a beautiful mountainside property overlooking a lake.  The change is going to be great!  Where we are now, there is never silence and almost always big trucks and buses going by making it impossible to hear the person speaking even if he/she is right next to you.  With 15 years of materials to pack and move in two weeks, everyone is pitching in to help.  We have the entire school library almost packed (over 19 tall bookcases).  Each teacher also has her room almost completely packed.  The school runs on a lot of donations, so all the donated paper, crayons, etc. has also been packed.  Oh, and the school is K-12, so there is a lot of curriculum that needs packed. 

It's a big job, but the kids have been very helpful.  For many of them, this will be their first time moving since coming to live at the school ten years ago.  I, on the other hand, have become an expert in moving.  I think I have moved almost every year for the last 7 years.  It has been a joy for me to talk with the kids about their feelings (mostly nervous and a little excited).  I have also been trying to show them how to let go of things from their childhood without losing the memory attached to the item.  We are attempting to pare down to the minimum of what is needed as the new school has very little storage.  (The architect did not consult the teachers!)  It will be an emotional last two weeks as the kids say goodbye to an old school they love dearly and learn to adjust to a beautiful new school out in the wilderness.  I'm sad to leave, too, but a new job and wonderful opportunity awaits me in Ohio.  More on that when I get the details in July.

Pencils, where do you go?

My youngest students are constantly asking me for new pencils. They receive new pencils and the next day they only have a little stub left. Where do their pencils go so fast?  I'd also like to know how the pencils get so chewed up and gross looking. Although, I think after catching one girl eating her eraser today, we can figure out the chewing part. I have told my students to stop chewing, over sharpening, and simply to stop being irresponsible. In a world where it seems everything is easy to come by, how do we teach children to value their school supplies?

On my plan for the summer is to find or design a school supplies management plan and great pencil sharpener.  I have been hearing a lot about this pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies. Do you have any experience with it? Any pencil related recommendations?

Kickstarter

I know many of you have heard about DonorsChoose.org to fund your classroom needs and projects, but have you heard about Kickstarter.com to fund your creative projects?

Kickstarter is similar to DonorsChoose in that people from around the world can discover and sponsor your project.  I think Kickstarter would be a great funding opportunity for you teacher-creators who want to write your own children's books or create an app.

See what this teacher-creator is doing and consider helping him fund his project.  His project is animated music videos that go with songs he wrote and recorded to teach beginning Spanish.

Teachers Care for Oklahoma

My colleagues at TpT have put together four fabulous bundles of teacher resources as a fundraiser for Oklahoma. 

 

Here are the details:

"Materials range in subjects, with the majority meeting Common Core Standards. The bundles are separated by age group. There are 2 bundles for K-2 age group, and 2 bundles for the 3-6 age group with clipart as well. Each bundle is valued at well over $100.00, and will be made available for a $25.00 donation. These bundles will be available for a LIMITED TIME, beginning Friday, May 24 through Monday, June 3rd, 2013.

100% of the proceeds for this fundraising event is being collected by TPT, and will be distributed by check to the appropriate Moore Oklahoma School District Representative earmarked to specifically aid the teachers as they begin the process of rebuilding."

What a great value and great cause to support!   Below are the links to each bundle.  Click each link for a list of the items included in that bundle and to make your donation.

K-2 Bundle 1
K-2 Bundle 2
3-6 and Clipart Bundle 1
3-6 and Clipart Bundle 2

Read Me Stories App

 

My students love picture books and I find it is a great way for them to hear English words in context.  My problem is that in Guatemala there is not easy access to all of the wonderful picture books I would love to use.  I have found many great websites that read books to children, but the problem is that those require an internet connection, which we don't currently have in the school.  So, I went in search of an app that will read picture books and doesn't require an internet connection.  I found the perfect solution- "Read Me Stories"!

The app is free to download.  You can then access one free book in each set of books.  If you like the book you can then purchase the whole set for only $1.99.  In one set of fable stories I received 13 books for $1.99!  The app then unlocks one book in the set each day the app is used.  The idea is to foster a habit of reading.  I found there is also a way to unlock specific books, which is helpful since I want certain themes to read to the whole class.  I tried a free fable this morning with my Kinders.  They loved it (of course!) and begged convinced me to let the app read two more stories to them.  I then tried one of the longer stories with my 3-6 grade class and they loved the app too!  They especially appreciated that the story was read with expression and different voices for each character.  I can see how this app will help build their fluency and expression!  This app is definitely going on the iPads as soon as they arrive!

This app is availble for Apple and Android!  The books are offered in sets so that you can choose the level and concepts that fit your students.  Oh, and I almost forgot to add what impressed me the most! The stories use great vocabulary.  It provided a little extra challenge for my ELLs, but I can see how it will enrich their vocabulary.  The books are also interactive.  At the end of each page you can tap the characters to hear what they are thinking.  The characters like to ask questions to the reader, too! (They took my job as teacher!)  Ok, I'm going on and on.  Download the free app and give it a try!