Summer Academy 2011!

Summer school was phenomenal. Signing up for summer school back in the spring seemed like such a good idea at the time...I mean, hellooooo, extra money! But then the week before it starts, it doesn't seem like the best idea...I mean, my summer break was really only 6 weeks long. 6 weeks with not one vacation. 6 weeks with 12 undergrad credits and 6 grad credits. 6 weeks of being miserably busy! And then...summer school came with a BANG! But, at least I got 6 weeks to do all that, and I am thankful for that. I learned SO much this summer. Speaking of learning, I just read this awesome book for work called the "Five Dysfunctions of a Team." I'd highly recommend it! It only took about 1.5 hours to read, it was really well written, and it really got me to actively think about how important it is to be a team player. Read it!

But it really was such a great and fun experience. I really enjoyed it! I loved spending time with the kids outside of the regular school year and I think that it really built a bond between them and I. I have a substitute for tomorrow and Friday since I have new teacher orientation, and a couple of my kids were crying. It was sad- but sweet. Teaching summer school truly blessed me, and I am so thankful for a wonderful job with awesome teachers and wonderful students. On a plus, my body is now back in the routine of waking up at 5:30 or earlier...and I've been waking up naturally, without an alarm clock! :)

Here's some pictures of the week!

I got these flowers from a 2nd and 3rd grader. :)

On Monday,  I was teaching about Africa. So, during recess, without prompting, my kiddos found this! Such a proud teacher of her students!

I edited names and addresses out, but this is the work of a rising 2nd who had a LOT of difficulty with spelling last year. She wrote this by herself- I didn't help her spell anything. I am more proud of her than I think I have ever been of a student.

My theme was "Around the World in 10 Days." LOVED IT! I had the students create a passport on the first day, and they added stamps each day as we learned about new continents and countries. So fun! :)

I also edited the name off of this one. During writing for the past week and a half, we worked on an animal research book. The students all picked an animal, and we talked about the animals, and wrote about them. This was one of my favorite activities that I have ever done, and it was a HUGE hit with the kiddos.