Past projects 3
Literacy and Leisure
Funded Oct 10, 2019This trip was perfect! The sun was shining and everything went as expected. The boys spent the first hour learning and practicing archery. Although we did not hit any bullseyes, we were happy just hitting the targets. The next activity was canoeing. They were fitted for life jackets and then a quick paddling and balance lesson. With an adult and two students in each canoe, the boys took to paddling around the lake like experts. The boys loved both activities and never wanted to leave.
When we discussed the trip and activities, the boys talked about careers related to the trip activities and what they learned. They described it as "fun and cool" and something they could do in the future. Two students really liked learning about the two different bow styles and uses. Another student said that learning to canoe gave him an activity that he can use as a coping skill.
We used the experiences to develop ideas, describe, and sequence events to learn organization and retelling events, orally and written works. Camp Aldersgate was an experience that we will be able to refer back to many times throughout the year in the classroom.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Holman
Equine Experience Escapade
Funded Oct 10, 2019This experience was phenomenal and left "my boys" wanting to return and spend more time riding horses. A couple of students even thought about careers in the equine field. One student said, "I have wanted to be a jockey" and meeting a world champion horse even inspired him more. (He has the build for it!)The rest of the students had never ridden a horse and said how much fun they had learning to ride. They want to go on a trail ride now. The experience and vocabulary have helped us make connections in our reading and conversations. Several times in class a student or myself have made reference to the day we got to go to the ranch and made numerous connections. Finally, one student that often appears sad wrote to me, "The Pine Hill Ranch helped and taught me how to ride a horse which helped me have fun."”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Holman
Arts + Confidence = Reader
Funded Nov 13, 2015Our field trip to "Painting With A Twist" worked! The kids encouraged winter by painting snowmen. A week later, we had a snow day! If you do not consider yourself an artist, painting can be an intimidating activity. However, my students were up for the challenge although a bit of apprehension was seen in their eyes. You could feel their excitement about not only going on a field trip, but getting to go somewhere and do something no one else has done from our school. For many of them, it was the first time they had painted outside of a classroom.
As they entered the studio, they traded their coats for artist aprons. Each student had an easel, canvas, paint, and paint brushes at their stool. Our instructor, Erin, was very good at pacing for my students. The kids listened intently to each direction and anticipated the next. With each brush of the canvas they could see their work start to look like the example. Some faces were intense making sure to get it just right. Other faces smiled big as they swelled with pride seeing their art develop. Surprisingly, no one experienced frustration with painting. The step by step instructions built confidence in each student as they painted. By the time they finished, everyone had a painting of which to be proud.
Before and after the trip, we read books such as "Snowmen at Night" and "Recess at 20 Below". We are using our paintings to inspire our own imagination and writing. The final goal is a published class book of short stories and poems. Maybe, just maybe, our writing will inspire the weather to give us another snow day!
Previously undiscovered talent and confidence were found. Everyone became an artist that day. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Holman