County Fair Field Trip

Whew! Not even two weeks into school and we've been on our first field trip. What a great trip to see local artisans share their work with us at the local fair. After looking at the contest entries for textiles, pictures, woodwork, flowers, baked goods, and produce, we rotated through stations to hear about things that are made or done in our community. First stop, bee keepers:

Next we visited with some wood carvers who shared their work with us.

We saw pottery being made...

and got to pet a police dog.

Then we saw a wood cutting demonstration and heard about the tools they use.

Everyone loved milking the cow!

Last stop, spinning. We got to try our hands at twisting wool into yarn.

Here's a little bit from what the kids wrote about it afterwards:

I saw some really pretty flowers, one was pink and purple. I got to see this huge pumpkin! There was a really artistic drawing. It was of a beautiful waterfall. - MKC

We went to the bees. I never knew that the queen bee was that big. -LC

And then we went to the pottery, it was really cool because we got to see him make a cup! - MS

We went to the woodcarving station. We saw these men's carvings. There was a face in the wood. - HD

The police station was really fun, I got to pet a police dog. -ME

Then we saw wood chopping. I saw a saw and an ax. Our class got a wood cookie! -OM

We also got to milk a cow. I pulled hard but it wouldn't come out. Then I pulled lightly and the milk came out. -JQ

We got a Got Milk sticker and had our picture taken with the cow. It was so much fun! - SM

Then we went to the spinning station. We got to have a partner and one of us was the spinner and one of us was the holder. -KF

At the wool spinning place we got to make yarn and take them home, but I donated mine to the science exibit. - CC

Did I mention the wool spinning? That was so cool!!! I loved it!!! -SS

Student Thoughts

When students finish their work early, they have a choice to write for the blog. Here's what one student wrote:

Hi everyone! My name is Lola*. School just started. I'm really excited. I really want to learn about dogs a lot this year. We went to the fair. I got to milk a cow! I've never been to that fair before. It was awesome!
         If you want to check out our last year's blog it was such a blast!

Our Classroom

*Not real name

We're Unique!

        At the beginning of every year, I explain to my students how we are uniquely gifted with the ability to learn in special ways. I love to see what each child's strength is and try to incorporate some activities that highlight that strength during the schoolyear. 

         I gave the kids a survey to fill out to help determine what their learning styles are and posted their picture on the poster with their learning style. It's so interesting to see which styles are more common with the students in my class, and the kids like to see their interests and talents validated. Here's a link that explains what each style is and how to best teach students with unique styles: https://www.teachervision.com/intelligence/teaching-methods/2204.html. 

I accompanied the posters with the verse that speaks so perfectly to Multiple Intelligences:

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:14

Summer Thoughts

Summer is drawing to a close and I'm so excited to get back in the classroom and start a new year with my class! I've spent some time this summer coming up with some new exploratory ideas and projects and rethinking some things for a fresh start. I love being able to take a step back and reflect on what worked and make changes to what didn't. I'll miss sleeping in, but I can't wait to get back! See you soon!

A view from a hike I took this summer in Glacier National Park