Harmony.....And Disharmony

That was the theme of the weekend. I left after school yesterday to head to Myrtle Beach for the final sessions of the Teaching American History in SC class that I started last summer. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was lots of fun (we had some very informative sessions), I won two door prizes (a primary source reader on World War I and the hardback "Reflections of SC"), got goodies (a copy of "Shagging in the Carolinas", a set of primary source documents for World War I, SC playing cards and a CD with all of the elementary lessons on it), heard some great speakers (one on "harmony and disharmony, southern influence in music" and one on "shagging in the Carolinas") and relaxed.

I arrived in Myrtle Beach after one call to Ron (that resulted in a U-turn to get on I-95) and lots of iPod music! The theme of going was Corey Smith's "Carolina" and "Every Dawg" ---- both of which never fail to make me smile. Ron called right as I was heading off of 501 and the person in the car in front of me was taking my picture?!?! Crazy!! I decided to just follow Ocean Blvd. down to Springmaid, where we were staying because I really wanted to see the ocean. I LOVE the ocean.

Once I checked into my room I headed off to our opening session for dinner and speaker. Afterwards, I experienced one of my most enjoyable evenings in a long time. Guess what I did??? Nothing!! I called Ron to say goodnight as I got back to the room (and gave him a little scare until I assured him I was on the third floor....I had propped open the balcony door to hear the ocean) and then, instead of turning on the TV or my iPod, I let the ocean be my music while I read. I finished "Rich in Love" to the tune of crashing waves and the occasional laughter of the church youth group playing games on the beach. It was so wonderful. When I went to bed (I closed the door!) I slept like a baby...I only woke up a few times, and each time I could still hear the ocean. First thing this morning, I headed out to the balcony to watch the earliest sunlight before starting the day. It is absolutely amazing how relaxing it is without a TV, computer or radio/iPod. Maybe I need to try it more often! It was definitely harmony!

After gathering everything up and loading my car, I walked out to the Springmaid pier (which I will post about seperately), bought a few things for the boys, had breakfast and spent the rest of the day in sessions before heading home.

It was hard to leave the beach. Like I said, I LOVE the beach. But, I was glad to get back home to Ron, the boys and Maggie. And, in case you were wondering, I put my iPod in right before Conway and took in off once, as I was getting on I-20 Ron called. I came home with some Aerosmith, some Guns 'N Roses, some Johnny Cash, but fitting with the weekend's lecture on southern music, it was Marshall Tucker and "Can't You See?" that drove me the last bit home.

Polar Express Day

Four years ago when I was teaching 2nd grade we held a "Polar Express" Day at school and I bought a new pair of pjs just for the occasion. The next year I moved to a new school and "took" PE day with me. Ben was also at my school that year so, we both bought new pjs and again last year, new pjs for both of us for PE day. Well, this year, yet again I found myself at a new school and again I brought PE day with me. Over the weekend I went out and bought Ben and I our annual pajamas and today was finally the big day and we got to wear them with our slippers to school!

Mr. Chris played conductor and checked tickets before reading the story to our students. Afterwards, parents served us hot chocolate and cookies! Less you think we did nothing today, we did do math and reading....all Polar Express related of course! We ended the school day by gathering as a group to watch the movie. Too bad this wasn't the last day before break....it was pretty hard to beat!

Colonial Christmas and Crafts!

Today we took the upper elementary students to the Lexington County Museum....it was FABULOUS! I can't wait to go back and really explore as we did two programs (which were free for our classes courtesy of the Lexington-Richland Cultural Council!) and only saw two of the houses. I am so amazed by the vast cultural and historical offerings in the Midlands....it is heaven for a history-buff! :)


Our first program visited a 1770s era cabin (which was the size of my living room and housed a family of 18...talk about crowded spaces!) where we saw every day items they would have used, games they would have played, how they made clothes and then we made our own candles!

my candle......

The second program took us into the John Fox house from 1832. This was the Christmas program so we looked at the traditional (and natural) decorations that would have been used in that time period and then we actually went and MADE our own decorations! We made popcorn strands and apple/clove pompadors (?) for the tree at school, a gum-drop tree and cinnamon stick and clay ornaments for our own trees.


This was a wonderful field experience for the students and teachers!

Sunday of Awards!

Our school's director received a call on Thursday that I had been selected as the VFW Post 4262 Teacher of the Year! This is to recognize excellence in teaching --- particularly citizenship and US history. They invited us to an "awarding" for today and Ron, the boys and I met Victoria and her son, Natondi there. After a terrific meal (chicken, ham, mac and cheese, corn, green beans.....some good ole country cooking!), I was presented with a check by the Post. $$ = YEA!! The post folks were very nice and I turned in a scrapbook for the district judging, which was taking place today. (In the photo I am pictured with the Post Commander and Post President)

Then this evening, we joined Ben's soccer team for the fall banquet at a local pizza place where he received his trophy for the season.

It was quite a day for us!

Book Fair Week

Our school is having a book fair right now and this week had several special days for it. On Monday was hat day, Tuesday was breakfast with family, Wednesday was character dress up, Thursday was lunch with family and Friday was "spirit" day. I didn't manage to get a picture of me and Ben on spirit day, we matched in our Carolina jerseys, but we did get a dress-up day picture before school. Just in case you are wondering, Ben is Jack from the Magic Treehouse series and I am Fern from "Charlotte's Web".

Finally Fall, Maybe?!?

With it being Halloween and not wanting to compete with candy and costumes, I planned some "different" activities for my students today. The main portion was going on a "Haiku Hike" around the school. We hiked, observed nature, wrote notes and then used those to write haiku about our hike. (Haiku is a Japanese poetry that uses the form of three lines, 5 syllables in the first and third lines, 7 in the second line....just in case you didn't know.)

It was nice to see a few trees turning colors and falling to the ground. The downside, yesterday was actually cool. Today, we were sweating while we hiked! Crazy weather is all I can say.

(We also read two books Haiku Hike, written by 4th graders about their own haiku hike and Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, which we used to do math. And, finished off our day with a candy-themed science experiment.....we used sprite, club soda and vinegar to see which would disolve Laffy Taffy first and then we are also seeing what color of Laffy Taffy will disolve first in the liquid for the first one....you'll have to message me with a guess to find out which one works fastest --- Sprite, Club Soda or Vinegar!)

Taking the Kids to the Zoo

It rained yesterday. And, we took a field experience (like a field trip from our day) to the Riverbanks Zoo. It was cold, it was wet, but it was really fun. We had a great time traipsing through puddles to see the animals, who by the way were out and loving the rain, and attending education sessions. The day only brought one little problem...which I will blog about seperately.

I can't post of my pictures on here because of the students in them, but I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. Picture 1: the gorillas got into a fist fight while we were watching! The kids LOVED it! Picture 2: My favorites....the lions!

This was trip 2 to the zoo this week. Trip 3 will either be tonight or tomorrow night.

HalloWonka is Coming!

Next week is HalloWonka at EdVenture and we can't wait!! Ben and I are going on Monday morning (at 4:30 AM!!) for Live with Lucas and then back on Tuesday night for Preview Party (Clay is working at it on Tuesday and Thursday) and then, since I'm on the HalloWonka Committee, I have to work on Thursday night.

In addition to all of next week's fun, Wonka donates candy for schools to create themed sculptures (made entirely of Wonka candy). This year's theme was "Animal Fun" and THANK YOU to our art teacher who helped the students fine-tune their idea, build the paper mache structure and the animals. It arrived in our room Tuesday and we spent time gluing the candy on and finishing it up. I have many, many burns on my fingers from the hot glue gun and everything in my room is covered in glue, but I had a great time working on this with my students. Becky, our art teacher, came to pick it up today to take it to EdVenture and she was almost in tears because she couldn't believe how great it looked! She kept telling me how beautiful she thought it was!And, I must say that I think it turned out really beautiful!! Keep your fingers crossed the judges think so, too and we win! (We find out next Thursday night!)

Do I Look Like Dr. Doolittle?!?!

For some reason everyone wants to give me animals anymore. Somehow why I was out this week I acquired a new pet.....a little black and white bunny, that actually looks like Maggie. Its really sweet, and I love Maggie, Dobby and Matilda (in that order), but I'm not sure about this at all. Luckily while I was still out the bunny arrived, all the kids loved it and it has sort of migrated to our gathering area. Where I, for one, am hoping it will stay!?!?! Go figure, though, I picked her up today and she just lay in my arms and let me pet her. She felt just like Maggie and kept looking at me with those big, stinkin' bunny eyes....just like a baby....never hold it.

Also while I was out someone suggested a "contest" for the students to name the bunny. I voted today that if I have to take responsibility, then I get naming rights......her (at least we think its a her) name will be "Carolina", after the school and the team.

Another Friday Feast

Every couple of months we are encouraged to have a "family feast" in our classrooms. Today my class had our first feast and we had a great time, though I couldn't really talk to anyone. Luckily one of my moms and dads were the "mouthpieces" passing out directives.

It was made even sweeter because Ben's teacher allowed him to come and join us! He was so excited to get hot dogs, Doritos, Coke and Oreo Pie for lunch instead of the usual PB&J. And, of course, he thought he was special getting to sit with the Upper Elementary "boys".

Matilda

Meet Matilda! (No her head is not really as big as it looks in this picture!) One of my students and his mom brought (since I can't seem to part with Dobby from being a household member) a new hamster for our classroom last Friday. Matilda is a cute little hamster.....even though she and I didn't get off to the best of starts.

It started when one of the students dropped her...yes, dropped her. I picked her up to check on her and carried her around with me for a few minutes because she was shaking. A few minutes later we put her away and headed out to the gathering area to practice for our afternoon gathering show. One of my students remarked that I had spilled coffee or something (yea...something) on my shirt. Now, I happen to be wearing my wicking USC shirt. (And, let me just say it wicks liquids REAL well.) It takes me a couple of minutes and I realize that I didn't spill coffee or anything on my shirt....Matilda had wet my shirt!!!!! Luckily, our Friends President was there and she got me a school shirt to change into. Needless to say it was funny!

Matilda is much more active than Dobby. She loves to run in her wheel and she's actually awake for a good portion of each day. This one will only be coming home when absolutely necessary and she WILL be returning to school! :)

First Day of School!

Both boys started off their new school year at new schools today! Clay in the single-gender program at his middle school and Ben in the lower elementary (2nd/3rd) class at CSI, where I also teach. All in all, it seems to have been a great first day for all of us!

Thanking the Friends of CSI president, Kenya, for our gift cards!

Ben participating in an activity with his classmates. The advantage to being at a small school with your child....you can always see what they are doing....and take pictures :)

Back to School Busy

After the retreat earlier this week, I've spent the rest of the week in a professional development activity with our school and another inquiry-based school and getting my room ready. Almost all of my supply order has now arrived and Clay has been wonderful about helping me get furniture put together. The result-- my room is coming together nicely!

Today was "Dash to Sucess" at Clay's new school and he picked up his schedule (he was excited to find out he has band and musical keyboarding), took his id picture, paid his fees (that was new! We've never paid school fees before!), ordered his t-shirt, filled out his DC trip paperwork and walked to his rooms. He's very fortunate that all of his classes, except one, are right next door to each other.

And, tonight was the Back-to-School cookout at my/Ben's school. We presented to the families, met them in our rooms and then ate burgers and hot dogs. It was a lot of fun and I LOVE how family oriented the school is.....everyone acts like one big family.

I love this garden at our school and I just had to have Clay take our picture in it!

Staff Retreat

I just got back a couple of hours ago from our staff retreat. What a great time! And, what a great staff!! We had the best t ime hanging out with each other, doing the ropes courses and just being together. We were at Camp Gravatt in Aiken, away from the school and the usual back-to-school pressures for a day and a half. We did personality testing, low and high ropes, and lots of talking and even more laughing :)

Me and Terri on the ride to camp

We did it! Our first low ropes activity...balancing the boat!

Walking the tight rope with Chris and Victoria as my spotters.

Me and Stephanie being silly at the campfire....we learned our personality style was "beaver" earlier in the day and we stuffed our cheeks with marshmallows to become "beavers"!

Stephanie is ready for the high ropes! I had a migraine during the night on Monday and decided to not go up on the high ropes.

For My Teacher Friends......

I know you are going to be SO jealous when you hear what I learned yesterday about my new job:

We can wear jeans....EVERY DAY! Oh, and I don't have to pay!!

Meet Dobby!

He got a little thirsty as he settled into his new home.

Dobby will be spending the majority of his time in my classroom, however, he will ocasionally join us here at home. (About which Clay is really excited...."I can practice my vet skills," says he.....Maggie, on the other hand, not so excited, I'm sure.) He's a cute little guy who appears very friendly. ie...he hasn't bitten me.....yet!

Last Day of Class

Today was our last day of class. It was a wonderful learning opportunity and I made some great friends, but I was very glad to be done! I was so tired from being in class all day each day and then coming home and working on my lesson plans....which I am very excited about. My first lesson looks at the child labor issues in the early textile mills of SC and my second lesson is a week long study of the mill village and mill village culture that began in the early 1900s.

Anyway, we had our last lecture and our last session with the master teacher in the carriage house at the Robert Mills House. I learned that the original carriage house was the very first building for the original Winthrop College in Columbia. I never knew that Winthrop starte dout in Columbia! I learned something today :) After our session we were introduced to the Historic Society of Columbia and then treated to a look at the currently not-open to the public Woodrow Wilson House, where the former President lived while in Columbia. Although it needs much restoration and work, it is obvious that this was once a beautiful home.

The icing on the cake today, I won a door prize!!! And, it was exactly what I have been wanting.......a copy of Walter Edgar's South Carolina Encyclopedia!!!!!!! (Thanks, SCDAH, from me AND RON! He's thankful for the $75 you saved him. ) I also received a copy of a text about former US First Ladies.

Behind the Scenes

The last two days' classes have met at the SC State Museum. On Tuesday we were treated to a "behind the scenes" tour of the collections. I guess I never really thought about the fact that the museum keeps thousands of items in storage for possible exhibits. It was very neat to see.

one of the storage rooms (that funky machine in the front is a hair-perming machine...I think I would just go with straight hair!)I found this really fascinating...an iron lung. I've heard of these, but didn't know what one looked like. Now I know!

Today we toured the WWI exhibit with Fritz Hamer (I can't remember his exact title, but he's head of the curation dept. I think). I am working on my two lessons that are going to center on "textile mills in SC" -- one on child labor and one on the community of the village -- and he's working with me on some primary sources.

the textile exhibit at the museum...I hope to use this as a field experience with my students as part of the lessons I'm drafting

Two more days to go!!!!

Today's Class

Okay, I know that you don't want a daily blow-by-blow of my class that I'm taking, but today I was particularly excited and wanted to share. After watching a grueling amount of "The Birth of A Nation" (silent movie...enough said?) we had a "visit" from Ben Tillman (performed by a professor from Francis Marion University) and then a tour of the archive stacks. WHOA!! Too cool!!

We saw a document signed by John Locke, school reports from the late 1800s, a decree prior to the Revolutionary War and the sucession of SC document. It was a slightly thrilling (and very National Treasure) feeling to be in the "stacks" and viewing these actual, historical documents.

On a side, non-class related note, tonight I attended the prospective member meeting for the Edventure Discovery Council. I had a great time and it was so nice to finally be out in a social setting! I'm looking forward to getting involved.

Field Trip #2

Today we met at the SC Railroad Museum in Winnsboro and had class in a Pullman dining cart. That was an experience! We had the opportunity to view primary sources including a letter from the 1865 mayor of Columbia to the governor of SC just days after the burning by Sherman and the "Black Codes". After lunch at a great country cooking buffet (in the back of a convenience store) called "Barn Xpress", we took an hour or so ride on the train to the Rion Quarry. Along the way we saw chimneys left over from the homes that used to line the countryside, a delapidated and a restored sharecropping home and

several abandoned manufacturing facilities.

Tomorrow, we head to the archives for a day and then we finish this week at the Caroliniana Library on Friday.