Is it really the end of 2011 already?

As I write this, I have a hard time thinking about the fact that this is our last school day of 2011.  It has gone by so quickly!  There have been so many exciting events happening over the past few weeks as everyone prepares for winter break and celebrating many holiday traditions with family and friends.  Over the past few days I have spent time with 4th grade students, reading them a story as they enjoyed eating some holiday creations!  I will be reading to our 3rd graders this afternoon as well and am looking forward to it!  This morning as I walked down the first grade hallway, I found lots of shoes in the hallways.  Apparently, they will be filled with goodies the next time I walk by.  Kindergarten and first graders have been learning a great deal about holidays around the world.  Each of them spent a day studying different customs and traditions as they "traveled" around the globe!  

I wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday season.  Please enjoy the break and spend time with your children enjoying all of your own family holidays and traditions.  We'll see you in 2012!

Mrs. Ammon's Kindergarten Tea

Mrs. Atherton's 2nd Grade Class

 

Mrs. Sheads 5th Grade Language Arts Class put on a trial this past week.  Shiloh is the story of an abused dog that follows a young boy home. A young boy that is not allowed to have a pet, nor has the money to be responsible for one. The abused dog belongs to Judd Travers who is a mean hunter that doesn't "care" for his dogs, the way the boy, Marty, thinks he should. Marty ends up keeping the dog in secret in a lean-to up on the hill and having to lie to everyone in order for the dog not to be found.

 

The students were separated into 3 groups. The Jury, lawyers and witnesses for Marty's side, and lawyers and witnesses for Judd's side. Using the book as a reference and the Virginia code of Animal Services Law, the students needed to prepare their argument on who they thought was the "rightful" owner of the dog. They worked through out the week and each wrote their own paper/argument that covered their points as well as their supporting details. The Jury was not allowed to hear any of the arguments before the trial had begun. They were to keep notes of what happened during the trial as well as write their own paper on who they thought was the "rightful" owner and why according to what they heard at the trial.

 

They came to a final conclusion, that even though in their hearts they knew Marty would be a better owner, the true, "rightful" owner was Judd Travers.  (Thanks Mrs. Sheads for the summary!)

Field Trip and Book Club Fun

Greetings!  It has been about a month since I have been able to share some exciting things that I have been doing here at Emerald Hill.  So much has been going on that I can't possibly mention everything.  Last week the kindergarten students had their Thanksgiving Feast and the 2nd Graders had their Pow Wow to share some of the knowledge that they gained in their social studies class.

This week I was so lucky to be able to travel with the 2nd grade students to the Science Museum in Richmond.  I think everyone enjoyed playing the video piano on the stairs, watching rat basketball and building all kinds of structures out of blocks in the Imagination Playroom.

The 3rd Grade students were treated to a visit from author Susan Crites who presented her new book, I Love You More Than Rainbows.  She also spent time with the students going through the writing process as part of the language arts unit on steps in a process.  What an amazing opportunity for our students to experience!

I also kicked off the first meeting of "Mrs. Metzgar's Soaring Eagles Book Club."  I met with a group of 5th Grade students from Ms. Wain's and Mrs. Gaulden's reading classes to talk about our first book, The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman.  We enjoyed lively discussion and snacks as we shared various topics relating to the story. I had an excellent time and hope to meet with more students before the end of the year.  I am anxiously awaiting some ideas from the students for our next book to explore!

My Book Club Group

Science Museum Photos