Guess what????????????

I will once again be leading the Nature's Classroom trip.  I have obtained some extra help so we can keep the trip going this next year.  Thanks to my volunteers and to the district for working with me on this endeavor!

Goodbye, Nature's Classroom

This is a difficult post for me.  I am so torn that this program that I have dedicated thousands of hours to and have considered a part of my role as a CMS teacher is coming to a close.  The intensity of my emotions will be difficult to control.  I am not even sure how to start my year without kicking off this program.

In any event, as I told the kids on the bus, I can't think of a better group to spend our last Nature's Classroom with.  They were the best overall.  Thank you for representing Cudahy in a positive way.  The Nature's Classroom staff expressed to me that they had a lot of fun with our students.  Good job Bulldogs!

Teachers for the week made memories for a lifetime

I, personally, would like to thank the staff at Nature's Classroom for their patience and flexibility with our students while we were here.  For whatever reason, Cudahy has the tendency to struggle with attention and quiet - they like to talk when teachers talk and I'm not sure why.  But they worked on it and never gave up.

We witnessed teachers change their lesson based on student understanding.  We witnessed teachers pose higher level questions to be sure to reach all learners.  We watched teachers be silly and entertaining to our student population.

Thank you Nature's Classroom staff for providing our students with a rich, rewarding, and memorable experience.  You are greatly appreciated and respected.

Underground Railroad

How fitting that our last evening activity is by far one of my favorites - the Underground Railroad.  This is one of the most intense simulations we do and by far has the biggest impact on the kids and their understanding of this historical event.  They get so scared they hate it yet they love it.  Strange, but true.  Because the teachers all play a role (and because there is no flash photography for this event), there are no pictures to post.  I have a suggestion, though;  ask them about it - you will be amazed by their passion.

Thursday, the last full day.

We began the day with heavy hearts, the stark reminder that this is our last full day.  We got off to a great start but we ended up being 2 minutes late for breakfast as we were caught up in the blog.  All was well and we moved into our routine.

Today was similar to yesterday in that we had our class choices (The Beast, New Society, Turtle Dissection, Make It Rain, Earth Sculptures, and Storm Chasers).

After a brief break, we headed into the gym to find out our next activity; a simulation.  This time it was different.  Each student was given an identity.  It was then their charge to acquire certain things to survive; they were disadvantaged in some way.  They learned quickly how difficult and confusing it can be trying to jump through hoops to meet their employment, housing and financial needs.

It was interesting to listen to them deal with the emotions and frustration they felt.

Time once again

It has become a middle school tradition to take our group picture on Wednesday.  So once again, we embarked on the same adventure.  With 72, full of energy and excitement, it was interesting to try to get them into one location, and organized into a photogenic group.

We were successful, as indicated by my victory pose.  Sorry but you will have to be patient, the group picture will be my final post.

However, I wanted to share what happened once the photo was done ........

Eyes Wide Open

Open your eyes, look in front of you, look up, look down.  Do you see what we see?

Do you see the snake?

Hornets nest

A closer view