Structured Physical Activity...yuck!

Whatever happened to just letting kids play? I mean, seriously, don't you think we've sucked enough of the fun out of being a kid already? Why do we need to take away their free-play time too? Well, down here in Florida lawmakers felt it was necessary to structure kids recess- structured physical activity (sorry!). Ugh. Now, not only do I plan for 4 different grade levels for math, science, social studies, reading, and writing, I also plan their recess...yay! Because I don't have enough to do already.

And sometimes it amazes us as to what these kids don't know. Last Friday I taught them how to play hopscotch. I couldn't believe they didn't know how already, but, then again, I shouldn't be all that surprised. Once they got the hang of it, they really enjoyed it!  As a matter of fact, this morning it's been raining and they complained that the chalk got washed away... :( I guess I'll be drawing a new hopscotch board when the rain clears up! :)

Popcorn Balls...or Something Like That

So last Friday was Halloween...first of all, let me just let out a loud hallelujah that it was on a Friday! The day after Halloween is a nightmare for teachers! The day of Halloween is crazy- usually. At our school we have an Early Release Day the week before where our students are allowed to dress up in their costumes, so Halloween is supposed to be a typical day. Yea, right.

This year, the majority of my class was on a field trip for the day so I was left with my three little ones. We joined the teacher next door to make popcorn balls. The kids loved it! They had fun watching the marshmallows melt in the microwave and mixing the popcorn into it. They loved getting their hands covered in sticky goo...me, not so much. Sensory overload. It was worth it, though.  That afternoon when the other kids returned from their field trip we gave them their popcorn balls and everyone chowed down...it was hilarious watching them trying to figure out how to chew it. :)

Their parents have all signed media release forms, but just to err on the side of caution I covered their faces...sorry, you don't get to see their angelic faces. :)