Saturday Morning Discovery

Oh. My. Goodness.

I was at the ICE Conference on Thursday, and I learned so much about Google Lit Trips, Blogging for Kids, Voicethread, and so much more. I have also had the thought running in my head for a while now that I might want to pursue becoming a Google Certified Teacher. It might be fun. A lot more fun than National Board Certification. But that is indeed another post for another day.

I was YouTubing around this morning and stumbled upon Google SketchUp. A 3D modeling tool that lets you make models of anything. Your room, your table, your school, your math homework, or your glass of water. I researched, I watched, I downloaded (it's free) and I played. I have not figured out how to save and post my creations yet. I will and you too can have fun building models of new playground equipment, the new Lincoln Middle School, or your dream bedroom. All with the proper measurements, like area and volume, edges, vertices and faces! VERY. COOL!

Edited to add info about SketchUp! I just viewed a few tutorials. So Fun! Can you imagine what we could design with this?!?! Wow.

Some Enchanted Morning...

THE BALLET WAS FABULOUS. Photography was not allowed, so let me paint a picture for you:

Walking into the Auditorium Theater for the first time is special.

Gold everywhere.

Velvet seats.

Wooden floors that have been walked on with fancy shoes for many years.

It smells old. But good.

The looks on the kids' faces was priceless.

Everyone looked so nice with their fancy duds on! Girls wore dresses and pretty coats and some of the boys even wore suits! Mr. E brought the boys in 105 ties to wear.

The dancers showed us Acts II and III of the ballet. They were even nice enough to come out after the show and answer questions for us. Yumelia Garcia and Mauro Villanueva danced the parts of Cinderella and Prince Charming. They greeted us in their practice clothes and big puffy down slippers. We also got to meet Willy Shives, who plays one of the stepsisters. We found out that "she" was actually a man dancing that role. The stepsisters were funny and looked pretty goofy in their outfits.

After a not so fast ride home, we returned to eat lunch and talk about our adventures in the Big City.

ICE 2010

I am at a spectacular conference today! I will bring back new ideas and plans for us! See you Friday!

Joffrey Ballet- it's Extra Special!

On February 26, 2010, Washington School is attending the Joffrey Ballet Production of "Cinderella". This might be the first time your student has attended an event like this. It is a special event. Going to a special event in a special place means that the children should use extra special behavior. The children should dress nicely. They should be clean and neat.

I can't wait to share this special event with them! You might want to visit the Joffrey Ballet website to look around before the trip or to watch the video with your child.

I Need A Hand...

Museum of Science and Industry

We will be traveling to the Museum of Science and Industry on Friday, Feb. 12. Although there are lots of fabulous things to see at the museum, our focus is on social studies and the Industrial Revolution. There is a coal mine exhibit that has been there since the museum opened.

This is what the museum website tells us about the exhibit:

"Step on the hoist and take a narrated ride to the bottom of a mine shaft. You’ll examine the evolution of technology used in mining coal, and experience first-hand the work environment of the U.S. mining industry."

Oh, boy.

While we are there, we will fill out an observations form and write a summary of our trip for homework, due Monday, Feb 15th.

Note about Valentine's Day: We will have a Fun Friday Valentine Exchange. If students bring treats to share, they will bring them home to eat.

"Just a Typical Tuesday"

It is no secret that these are the best fourth graders in Illinois, but they may be the best in the country, actually. Ms. Mullarney sent me this great video yesterday when I was out sick, entitled "Just a Typical Tuesday".

IT. MADE. MY. DAY. It might make yours, too.

They are learning about Disco. Take a look!