Friday, February 15, 2008

past 100 days

We all had fun in class Monday. It was one of those days when teaching is just the most enjoyable activity ever. Because it was the 100th day of school, we spent the class time doing all 100-related things. The kids made necklaces with 100 fruit loops. They put together 100 piece puzzles in groups, made trail mix with exactly 100 items, guessed which glass had 100 raisins in it, estimated how far 100 inches went and then measured, told about the 100 items they'd brought in, and came up with math problems equaling 100. At the end of the day, though they had actually done many academic things, several of the kids commented to me or their parents, "We didn't actually have school today. We just played." Would that every day so packed with learning could receive the same comment!

Wednesday night Dios es Amor hosted a party for el dia de amor y amistad - Valentine's Day. The youth was in charge, and although we'd planned ahead as well as we could, there were moments of sheer chaos. Many more really young children came than we'd expected, and some of them came without parents. Still, on the whole it went well. Somewhere around 100 people came, and we had plenty of games and food to go around.

On Thursday many of my students brought gifts and cards, and with all the sugar soon coursing through their veins, keeping the lid on their excitement took some doing. In the afternoon they came over to my apartment to make cupcakes to give to someone they loved. It'll be awhile before they bake at my place again...

In the evening Bethany, Janelle, Kara, and I went out to eat at an Italian pizza place. It was very good pizza, and we enjoyed ourselves with chatter, singing, and laughter. After pizza we still had room for ice cream at an heladeria within walking distance from home. It was a mild evening, and we continued walking for awhile after we'd eaten.

All week long students and teachers at PCS could buy roses for the seniors to deliver on Friday. Roses were to be delivered Friday night at the murder mystery dinner, except the elementary students had theirs delivered in the afternoon since they weren't invited to the dinner. I bought one rose for each of my students, and they were brought in while the kids were at PE. Upon returning, one of my girls saw her rose on her desk and didn't see the note that came with it. "What is this?" She asked with some disgust, "I don't want it!" She handed it to me, "Here Miss Greenlee. You take it." Well, I guess if I'm back next year and have her in class, I'll know she's not one for roses!






The PCS student council put a ton of work into developing the murder mystery dinner for PCS jr. and sr. high students, staff, and families. They decorated rooms to be different countries, put together clue books, made passports for all the "detectives", and arranged for people to bring appetizers or desserts for each room. We converged on the school at 6, and the clue hunt around the world began soon after. It was elaborate and well thought out. The murderer turned out to be one of the people on my team. Just goes to show you can't trust an honest-looking Bible teacher!

1 comment:

Thorny Rose said...

Thank you for your interesting stories. You ae a creative teacher and I forgive you for not being a horticulturist. (:

Love, Aunt Jean