Family Christmas Night

Each  year at our school, we have a special night dedicated to a celebration of the Christmas season. It is considered a literacy event because there is a reading of a Christmas book for the children and their families. At this reading, there is ALWAYS hot cocoa and cookies! After the story and snack, guests are taken on a tour of our elementary and kindergarten buildings. Why? You would think that they had all seen it by now! No, really, it's a tour of the buildings...all gussied up for the holidays!!!

This year, the theme of our family Christmas night is "Light Up the HALLidays." In the kindergarten building we always coordinate our decor so that our entire building is the same general theme. Last year, we were 'Gingerbread Lane,' and I promise you, it was super cute! We were a little stumped on our theme for this year. Other than hanging lights from the ceilings, how do you 'light up' classroom doors? Then, it was suggested that Rudolph has a bright and shiny nose...one that can light up the whole sky for Santa's sleigh...so, the birth of an idea began. So this year, we are Santa's Stable. The door to the kindergarten office shows Rudolph, leaping with excitement over Christmas Eve's rapid approach. Each classroom door is decorated as one of the other reindeer, with a description of that door's reindeer on display. Let me tell you, it is uh-'door'-able!!!

 Our door showcases "Prancer." 

Prancer is Santa's navigational expert! However, she is rather clumsy. I chose to have her tangled up in her holiday decor, with her compass dangling from her antlers. She also has her handy dandy map in hand, ready to fly on Christmas Eve!

A Fourth Gone By!

A fourth of what? A fourth of the 2013-14 school year, that's what!!! This week is the 9th week of school, which is completely unbelievable to me, but indeed it is! We have been up to a bunch of good stuff already this year, with a whole lot more to come! We already have three members in our 100 Club (which has been updated with new photos)! The kinders are so excited about getting to try out for this club. They ask DAILY if we can try again!

Last week was Fire Safety Week in Kindergarten, which culminated in a final presentation by the firefighters in our community. It was awesome! They were all super listeners for our guests. I hope they all enjoyed the surprise coloring and activity book that they were each given by the fire department for this special day. Our class was especially interested in the 'jaws of life' that were laying out by one of the trucks. They got a special explanation of what they were and how they are used. I am so thankful that our community has such great volunteers who are also willing to give of their time to help educate our children.

When you're this cute, there's always time to smile for the paparazzi, right?

I am so proud of this group of sweethearts! They are really working hard and have come a long way already.

Just Say No To

Yesterday, we attended a motivational program given by Ron Cole. He travels around the country putting on three shows a day, with about a ten to twelve hour break between states. 

His shows consist of a lot of contemporary popular music, such as "Just the Way You Are" and "Party Rock Anthem." He also does a few originals. The theme of the show is that to have a good time and to be successful individuals that enjoy life, you don't have to do drugs or drink alcohol. Mr. Cole goes on to say that just because someone calls you names or says bad things about you, does not mean that they are right. He encourages students to ignore them. To believe in themselves. I loved watching the kinders sing along and dance to the music of this great show! (Sorry for the poor quality of the pics, the lighting was rough!)

And...I had a super cute surprise given to me by a student...she and her mom love crafting as much as I do, and we get to have the results in our classroom! Thanks P for the presents!

book pumpkin and canning jar ghost!

A Look Around the Room

This post is way overdue, I know, but I wanted to show the new look in my room this year. I went with Owls...The Knight Owls! As part of our new leadership program, each classroom is a part of our schoolwide community. There are rooms themed as a movie theater, a bakery, recycling center, farmer's market, and so on. My room was designated as the quilt shop, as a result of last year's quilt donation. I really struggled with the notion of how to combine the owls and the quilt shop, until I hit upon the idea of The Knight Owls one evening when I was crafting into the wee hours...and here are portions of the result...


Easy to make...Click for template!

New curtains that I LOVE!

Check out the announcement board...just fabric and ribbon!

My awesome owl calendar!!!

The fantastic hall decor hand drawn by my amazing hubs!