My Other Kids

My (other) kids have all grown up and moved out (of grade eight, that is). I taught these twelve students (three are missing in the picture) for two years and they have changed me in ways I cannot describe. I wish them blessings and continued success wherever they choose to go!

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away! ~ Dr. Seuss

School's done! The halls are mostly quiet, except for teachers cleaning classrooms for the summer, and for some, packing up to go on to new places and adventures. Graduation was yesterday, with a gymnasium packed full of excited students and teachers, parents, family members, friends and community members. All witnessed the graduation of senior kindergarten, grade eight and high school students who are embarking on the next stages of their life journey.

The theme for the day was Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.  My wonderful spouse and several staff members volunteered to decorate the gym based on the theme.  They worked very hard to make the gymnasium reflect the book's theme (thank you!).  My students as well as students from grades one and two made destination arrows that were put up on the walls around the gym, connected by pathways of footprints.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

For full text, click here (scroll down a bit).
For a video, click here.

Randomography: Kidsfest

Last weekend we went to Winnipeg to visit a close friend and her daughter who were visiting family (and to allow my spousal unit some time to shop).  On Saturday we gathered at The Forks, the site of Kidsfest 2011 which included all types of entertainment geared towards kids.  The Sprouts had a blast the whole day, especially with our close friends alongside.  Below are a photos from the day. I've put a few more photos on my Flickr stream: Kidsfest Set.

Nor'westers

It was all they could talk about this morning (I felt bad for the other students who did not go on the trip).  They wouldn't tell me they liked the trip (as usual), but it was obvious by their conversations that they did.  Even after wearing itchy and ill-fitting clothes, eating "jail food" (actually, it was quite delicious), getting wet in the rain, an overly long canoe ride ("my arms are sore!"), and no electronic devices allowed ("awww, man!"), their favourite part of the trip was Old Fort William.  I was able to capture a few pics of the fort visit, but only on the second day towards the end of our stay.  I had to change out of my "normal" clothes (like those above) and put on my "weird" clothes in order to take the above picture (the fort's rules).

I enjoyed the visit to Fort William immensely, mostly because I am a history buff, but also because I was able to observe and interact with the students outside of the classroom and their community.  That carried on into the rest of the trip as well.  Even though I had little sleep (definately not college age anymore - allnighters are rough!), I would do this trip again in a heartbeat.

It Is Necessary to Use the Necessary

On every class trip, choir or band tour that I have been involved in there has always been a saying that becomes the catch-phrase for the trip.  This time around was no different.  At Old Fort William, the guides would often be in character and use language appropriate to the time period.  I knew I was in trouble when a guide asked the students if they needed to use the necessary before moving on to the next task.  There were a few confused looks, followed by an "a-ha" moment.  With a smirk, one of my students said, "It is necessary to use the necessary."  The phrase was used from then on when a student needed to use the washroom.  The reason that I say I knew I was in trouble is that the phrase would be used for the rest of the school year.  Thank goodness I only have three days left to hear, "Mr. K., may I use the necessary, please?"  At least they ask politely!

Burp Starts With a B!

"Book starts with a b!"  "So does bat!" "And ball ... butterfly ... blueberries ... bingo ... barn ... bread ... badger ... bee (giggle - bee starts with a b - get it, papa?) ... bottle ... bubble ... bugs..." 

JK loves the alphabet.  He will say a number of words that all start with the same letter, then ask us (especially his big sister) to participate and help out when he can't think of any new words.  After we have brainstormed some more words, we will go on to other tasks, later hearing JK shout from elsewhere in the house (or yard or in the car) things like "Burp starts with a b!"  This even happens when he is using the necessary (see next post).  Imagine being with him in a public washroom when he shouts out, "Poop starts with a p!"

Baie du Tonnerre

Tomorrow morning I'm Thunder Bay bound with nine grade eight students for a four day class trip.  Some of the stops include the Terry Fox Memorial and an overnight stay at Old Fort William.  I'm not sure if I was entirely sane when I planned this trip, and am not sure I'll have all my faculties when I return.  I'll let you know on the flip side!