End of the Year Fun :)

It's hard to believe that the 2013- 2014 school year has come and gone.  I will never forget my first class at Pashley.  The kids, families, and Pashley staff made it so very special.  Thank you to all of the the parents for being great educational partners and for the thoughtful end of the year presents.  I loved the apple photo and the scrapbook!  Take a look at the apple photo that I will be sure to hang in my classroom next year!

Teaching first grade is so rewarding.  Every year I am amazed at the growth of all my students.  This year is no exception.  All of the kids worked so hard and came so far! I am so proud.  At Back to School Night in September I shared my yearly goal for the class: For the students to become more independent in all areas.  They all rose to the challenge.  Many of them are independent readers, writers, and mathematicians and many can navigate social situations appropriately with minimal adult support.  The progress is astounding!

The best proof of this progress is the ocean animal research reports that they did at the end of the year.  With me as their facilitator, they researched and wrote, and researched and wrote, and researched and wrote, etc, etc.  Then they practiced reading to their peers.  Everyone was a great reader and great listener.  We all learned something new each time we heard a new report!

 

When the final day came they were all fully prepared to present their reports to the audience.  Here is a great picture that was taken during the Author's Reception.  Photo credit goes to Mrs. Hamm.  Thank you!

Our field trip to animal land was lots of fun.  The students walked around with their groups and got to see many different types of animals.  Some of the students even got to feed the animals!  They also played on the pirate playground.  They did a great job playing the part!

We had a great time listening to our mystery reader from Kuwait.  With some careful planning, we were able to Skype with Lou Malizia, Mia's daddy.  He has been overseas for most of the year, and it was nice to "have him in the room."  He "sat" right in our rocking chair, just as all mystery readers do, and read Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss.  The children were mesmerized during the read aloud.  Best of all, Mia was so surprised.  When she heard the Skype ringtone her face lit up!  Mrs. Malizia was able to snap some photos during Mr. Malizia's reading.  Mr. McGrath also heard about our special mystery reader and was able to visit as well!  Afterwards, the students were able to ask some questions.  They learned that Mr. Malizia works with helicopters.  They learned that while he was reading to us it was 1:30pm in Burnt Hills, but it was 8:30pm in Kuwait.  They also learned that it was VERY hot there... so hot that one day it got to be about 130 degrees!!

It was bittersweet saying goodbye on the last day. We blew bubbles as the kids got on their buses and waved excitedly from their bus window.  Then they drove away into the summer (look closely, you'll see some of our friends on their buses!)...  Have a great one everyone!!  Thanks again for a fabulous year!