Our Video Conference Experience

Kindergarten and first graders having a scheduled video conference?  That's right!  Our class was fortunate to participate in a video conference with the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA this week. 

As you may have heard, our class raised butterflies this year during a study of life cycles.  We watched the caterpillars eat, form a cocoon, and hatch into adult butterflies.  Then, we released them into the world.  Our students enjoyed learning about the life cycles of butterflies so much, we wanted to extend their learning even further.  The video conference was the perfect opportunity to review what we learned this year about butterflies and integrate technology into the classroom in an interesting way. 

Students were interacting with Miss Eve on the screen in front of them.

Students as they worked on putting together their own butterfly puppets.

Students engaged in learning about butterflies around the world.

Movement activities involved students in pretending
to be a caterpillar changing into a butterfly.

The Center for Puppetry Arts provided instruction using photos, live videos, guided movement activities, and directing students in making butterfly marrionette puppets.  During the video conference, students were introduced to "symmetry", as the teacher discussed the designs on the Monarch butterfly's wings. She also went into detail about the parts of a butterfly's body.   Students viewed videos and photos of butterflies around the world.  The movement activities were very engaging for students as they acted like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly and a butterfly fluttering its wings.  This was an exciting and engaging experience for our students and we plan to do another video conference on a different topic next year. 

Summer Writing Activity #1: 
Write a thank you letter to Miss Eve.  Tell her how much you enjoyed the Butterflies program.  Tell her about your favorite part.  She did so many things with us.  You should tell her about something you learned about butterflies.  

Be sure to tell her you are from Clays Mill.  I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from our students.  Don't forget to draw a nice, colorful picture to decorate your letter!  Below is the address to mail Miss Eve's letter. 

Center for Puppetry Arts

Attn:  Miss Eve

1404 Spring Street, NW at 18th

Atlanta, GA 30309-2820

Summer Writing Activity #2: 
Write a thank you letter to Jamie Burch.  Tell her how much you enjoyed the Butterflies program.  Tell her about your favorite part of the program.  Be sure to tell her you are in Mrs. Sowers' class at Clays Mill.  Don't forget to draw a nice, colorful picture to decorate your letter!

Remember, Ms. Burch was the one that came to our classroom and helped us during the video conference.  She also contacted the Center for Puppetry Arts and set up the video conference for us.  Please be sure to thank her for helping us.  Below is the address to mail Ms. Burch's letter. 

IAKSS - Office of Instructional Technology

Attn:  Jamie Burch
701 E. Main Street
Lexington, KY 40502

Camp "Read A Lot"

Children enjoyed our Camp "Read A Lot" on Wednesday, June 1st.  They spent the morning sitting around in sleeping bags reading and sharing some of their favorite books from home.  We were fortunate to have many adults to share read alouds of some of their favorite books, too.  The children had a great day relaxing and reading together.  This was a nice end of the year activity for our class. 

students enjoying a read aloud with a guest reader during Camp Read A Lot

Field Day at CME

Clays Mill Field Day was Tuesday, May 31st.  Our class had a wonderful time participating in the games this year.  Thank you to all of the parent volunteers that came out to run the games and coordinate such a fantastic day!  We were excited to see so many of our own parents running games at field day.  You are the best!  



The kids loved the free play station with
hula hoops, jump ropes, and games.



The three-legged sack race was hysterical.

 

Tug-of-War was a hit and it even got the teachers involved.

After the activities, children enjoyed some time in the shade eating popsicles.  What a fun day!



Good Faith Effort Carnival

Our Good Faith Effort Celebration was Monday, May 23rd.  We celebrated with a carnival.  Children played carnival games and a Wii dance party in the gym during the festivities.  

Our principal manned the cotton candy machine. 

Students enjoyed face painting, snow cones, and lots of cool raffle prizes.  Students gained access to the carnival by showing a good faith effort on their MAP testing and recent calendar math assessment.  Examples of good faith effort are:

1.  Answering all questions. 

2.  Pacing yourself.  Taking your time and reading questions carefully.

3.  Staying determined even when questions are difficult.

4.  Remaining quiet during testing time.

5.  Staying focused during testing time and not distracting others.

We have talked about giving a good faith effort throughout the year.  Students are well aware of what it takes to show a good faith effort.  Our kindergarten and first graders have a wonderful foundation of test-taking strategies and know how to do their best.

  Many boys went home with beards and mustaches.

 Butterflies were a big hit for the girls at the face painting station.



Touring the Kentucky Horse Park

Our field trip to the Kentucky Horse Park was wonderful.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  The weather was beautiful and the children enjoyed walking around the park to see the horses.  We went to the Parade of Breeds, which was really neat.  Each child had their favorite horse from the show.  They even got to pet some of the horses that were in the show, which was a really cool experience for them.  



As you can see, we had a beautiful, sunny day for our trip to the horse park. 



Cows Don't Fly! It's a Known Fact.

picture from Amazon.com

The play, "Cows Don't Fly" was performed at CME on Thursday, May 12th.  Students enjoyed the performance by the Lexington Children's Theatre.  One of our own students even got to come up and act like a baby chick during the play.

The play was based on the book, The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down, by Paul Brett Johnson.  The author is a native of the Appalachian Mountain region of Kentucky and currently resides in Lexington.  He is an award-winning author and has written more than 20 children's books.  Be sure to check your local library for more of Paul Brett Johnson's books for some summer reading!

Miss Rosemary in an unsuccessful attempt to bring her cow, Gertrude, down. 

Muffins with Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all of our mothers and grandmothers!  Thank you for coming to our special "Muffins with Mom" event.  We had a wonderful turn out.  We hope you enjoyed the children's list poems about their mothers and the video.  You are all special to us.  Have a wonderful Mother's Day!