Plimoth Plantation Connection

Yesterday's virtual field trip was to the Plimoth Plantation, where we learned numerous interesting facts. Kids play games that teach life long skills. For example, girls make dressed for their dolls to teach them how to make dresses as they get older, and boys make toy boats so the can carve out canoes as they grow up. I always love seeing connections in everyday life so I had to share this. During snack a student was very proud to carve his pickle into a canoe just like the Wamanoag people did! 

Our tootsie pop results.

Many have wondered how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop and today a few first graders truly found out! Check out out the data we collected! 

Our Virtual Field Trips

We have had so much fun going on our virtual field trips, and everyone wants to share our info with you!!  Yesterday was the Plymoth Plantation, and today was the Tootsie Roll Factory.  We even sent a class letter to be published on their website!! Other trips we have brought to our classroom are Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, and a Fire Station. You can google virtual field trips to find similar ones, but here are the addresses to the ones we have explored in our class.   Simply copy and paste the following web addresses.

http://www.tootsie.com  (Tootsie Roll Factory)
http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/thanksgiving-virtual-field-trip (Plimoth Plantation)
http://www.nps.gov/stli/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm (Statue of Liberty)
http://www.nps.gov/featurecontent/ncr/linc/interactive/deploy/index.htm#/introduction (Lincoln Memorial)
http://archive.cityofdavis.org/fire/tour/ (Fire Station)

Please don't spoil the surprise, but here is tomorrows destination!!
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/  (San Diego Zoo)

Join us on our virtual fieldtrips by asking your child where we traveled to today!  We will go on a virtual field trip most everyday from now through the end of the year.

We will not take any more spelling tests, we will be reviewing words in class.
No school Monday, May 26 and the last day is May 7.

Thank You!

I was in our classroom tonight preparing for next week and I want to say thank you for making me feel so fortunate to be a teacher!  After being away for the last two weeks, I miss every aspect of being a first grade teacher.  Everything from the stories, the questions, the smiles, the needs, the challenges and even the tears that happen on occasion.  It opened my heart even more to the kids and parents.  I am so fortunate to have a job where I can interact with such wonderful kids who are eager to learn and grow!  The first thing I saw was a banner with each kids picture and their writing, along with a huge Welcome Back Sign that included a letter from each of you.  I have never received such a meaningful gift.   It was such a joy and motivational experience to read each of your letters.  I just want to thank you individually for taking the time to create such a meaningful book of memories!

I am so excited to be back teaching!  I know it was a transition for you and your child the past two weeks, and I want to thank you for being so patient and understanding.  I am very proud of your child too for being such a positive leader while not knowing who they would have for a teacher the upcoming day.  I am sure that was difficult for some of them.  All I know is... I am so greatful to be back!! :)
See you Monday!

Update

Tell your kids I miss them and can't wait to be back to teaching. I am cleared to work starting Monday. :)

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I know it is hard for six and seven year olds to have their teacher gone for two weeks. Give them all a hug for me! :) 

Thanks!

Volunteers

Thank you so much for all of your volunteer work in the classroom this year. It was helpful and the kids truly enjoyed it! 

This will be the last week with volunteers as the end of the year comes with numerous schedule changes.  We will not have centers everyday throughout the month of May. 

Thanks again for all of the time you dedicated. We truly appreciate you! :)

Update

I am sure you are wondering what is going on, so I want to give you a quick update.  Last week I had surgery that wasn't planned. I am in the recovery process now. It has been hard being away from the classroom. I think this job is one of the most difficult ones to be away from for a length of time, with absolutely no advanced notice. 

My Dr. originally said I would be out for three weeks. My response was, "That is impossible!" but I also know I am not in any shape to go back yet. 

My post op appt is on Wednesday, and I would love to think I could be back on Thursday. More than likely, they will not clear me until the following Monday at the earliest. Once I am back, I will still have to take it slow for a bit.

I am checking my email, so if you need to get ahold of me, feel free to e-mail me.  Thank you for your understanding during all of this.

Robbyn