Singing in Chapel

Every few weeks my students get to preform either a song/skit or a Bible verse in our weekly Chapel service (school assembly).  It is fun, but a little stressful, because I have to make sure that they do well.

This week, I totally forgot about it, so I had them sing a simple song that I taught them at the beginning of the year.  It turned out great, and they were so cute.  Here is part of our performance . . .





Songs and Handmotions,
Miriam

Rainy Day

 

        We don’t get a lot of rain here in Kansas.  Weeks go by without a drop sometimes.  So a rainy day is something to savor. 

 

One of my girls’ favorite things to do is snuggle up and listen to me read the chapter Rainy Sunday in Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary.  This is a favorite pastime, and even my high school girls will beg to hear it yet again.  Today we haven’t been reading Ramona (yet), but we have enjoyed taking some extra time with the books that we were already reading for school.  The little ones love snuggling up under blankets on couches, or laying sprawled on the floor with markers and coloring books, while I read aloud.  

        At the moment we are studying the early frontier and reading Sarah Whitcher’s Story by Elizabeth Yates.  This is a precious story with rich vocabulary that has always been a favorite.  Emily is reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare independently.  For our fun read aloud, we are reading one of the endless Boxcar Children books that the kiddos never seem to get tired of… this time it is The Mystery of the Singing Ghost.  We’ll probably finish this one up this afternoon, complete with blankets and hot tea.  I love it that all the kids associate a nice rainy day with a good book- just like their mom!  

 

        I had the kids brainstorm other activities that they love to do on a rainy day…

        1) sit and read

        2) watch tv

        3) splash in puddles

        4) run around in the rain

        5) sleep

        6) drink apple cider

        7) eat vegetable soup

        8) play Clue

        9) draw pictures

      10) do crafts

 

You can check out our Fall Resource Pack (complete with a fall weather inferencing page) here!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Drawing-Conclusions-Inferencing-Fall-workbook-for-1st-3rd-Grades-905055

                                       

                                                   
                                                                     Happy reading!

                                                                                  Angie

Reading Day Video

Hello World,

Well, a little bit ago I posted about the fun of reading day.  Well, I just figured out how to upload the videos from my phone, so here is our class on that fun day . . .

Feeling BOO Lately!

Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year!  There’s nothing like the changing colors in the trees, pumpkins on doorsteps, and crisp mornings to put a little renewed energy into our home and school.  We like to switch our learning activities up a bit with the change of seasons- adding some extra crafts, playing a game on the computer in lieu of a workbook page one day, or taking a time-out from our ordinary schoolbook to throw in a fun activity page.  

Gracyn (4^th grade) has enjoyed switching things up a bit with the Halloween Reading Comprehension and Inferencing worksheets we created.  Hey, if you’ve got to read, you might as well have fun doing it! You can check out our Halloween Resource Pack here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Resource-Pack-929645

One of the best things about homeschooling is the flexibility.  If the day is gorgeous, why stare out the window wishing school was over?  Let’s throw a blanket on the back porch and carry out our books to enjoy the day!  If reading is becoming a struggle, let’s find something that grabs your attention!

And hey, you even get to take a bubble gum break every now and then!  :D

 Hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather!

Happy Fall!

Angie

Reading Day

Since my school is an international school in Africa, we don’t celebrate all the traditional American holidays.  Yet, we do have some pretty fun replacement days.  One of the best days is reading day.  For this day, everyone dresses up as their favorite book character and we have a parade.  We then have a fun assembly with music, prizes, and skits. 

This year, I had my husband’s 6^th grade class partner with mine.  We did buddy reading, and then we had the 6^th graders and Kindergartners do a reader’s theater skit together. The 6^th graders had to teach the skits to the younger kids and then practice them.  It was really fun! 

We also had a costume competition for the students.  What I didn't know, however, was that they were having one for the teachers as well.  I was really excited because the costume I made for my husband won!!  Let’s just say, I am very thankful that I brought my hot glue gun to Africa. J  Here are some pictures from our day  . . .

The Chinchen's (Vice Principal & Founders of the school)

 All the teachers

 My dinosaur Charles and the "Gingerbread Man"

 Mr. Flinstone and a sleepy one

 Here I am, "Juliet"

 My husband, the "Tin Man" & winner of the Best Homemade Costume!

 My Class!

(If you would like to see more, here is a facebook link to the album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.616978968230.1073741833.118900228&type=1&l=cf1ac86d42)

Love and Costumes!

Miriam 

School Rules

At the beginning of school, one of the most important things to learn are the rules.  I just feel like this sets up a classroom for a successful year.  I have a set list of rules that are premade, but I let the students “write” the rules, and then I basically guide them to the rules I want.  I just try to keep them condensed. 

I also, try to assign a “Rule Homework” sheet.  This year, I couldn't find the one that I have always used, so I decided to make my own.  Here is a link to it:

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Rules-Worksheet-850309

Wish you the best in your classroom this year!

Love and Rules!

Miriam  

Playground Saftey

So, living in the states is a bit different than living in Africa.  In Africa, you don't have to have constant supervision of kids . . . apparently.  Parents send kids off to play everywhere and they don't know where they are.  It is okay for them to play outside with no worries about being kidnapped.

For me, I am having a hard time adjusting to this.  I want to be able to see my students at all times!  Especially on the playground at school.  Already this week, we have had kids get feet stuck  and fall off of walls!  One little boy even cracked his skull, literally! (He had to be airlifted to South Africa!)

It is a scary thing for me, but I am trying to adjust.  I am always going to be out there watching my students though.  What would you do??  Do you think it is okay to watch kids unsupervised?

 Here are some of our playground pictures . . .

 Notice Rope that kids like to put heads 
through . . .

  

Cute African Jungle gym . . . but with hazards galore!

  

Now does that look safe to you??  And it is a bridge!!

Oh well, I think being an American I am just overly cautious!  I am very paranoid about safety and hazards.  I wonder how that will change as I am here . . .

Much Love and African Paranoia!

Miriam