What's Your Favorite Food?

In order to learn 540 names, I come up with strategies. Today, I asked them to tell me about their favorite food. The top responses were pizza, enchiladas, tacos, and corn dogs. But, not surprisingly, and, as amazing as young people are, many of them love salad, fruit, chicken, broccoli (o.k. only one student so far), fish, lobster, squid, and a variety of other awesome healthy foods.

And the student whose name I will most certainly remember: Jack.

Jack's favorite food is nails. Yup. Plain nails.

He was very matter of fact about it.

Cooperative Games

O.k. this week, it's a game called The River. They have to get all of their teammates across the river without anyone touching the 'water'. Even a shoelace, in the 'drink', forces the whole team back for a do-over. It's sort of like a bike race, you want everyone to cross the finish line in one piece. So, they put their heads together, to figure out how they will use their sticks, their rope, and their scooter to try to get each person on their team across the River (which is actually only about 8 feet across). It's sort of like a video game, they have to get across the river AND BACK in order to progress from Level 1 to Level 2. Level 2, they don't get to use their sticks anymore to 'paddle' with. Level 3, no rope. Level 4, 2 people at a time on the scooter, with the rope. Level 5, 2 people at a time on the scooter, no rope. Most students make it past Level 5, then Level 6 is 3 people at a time, with the sticks and the rope. This Level has the most laughs and people piles involved, but some teams figure out how to pass it. Children are Amazing, Amazing, Amazing.

This week vs Last Week

Last week, I explained to the 4th and 5th graders in my Physical Education classes, that I simply don't support the concept of throwing an object at someone IN ORDER TO HIT THEM, such as you might find in the game of Dodgeball. ...and that such a concept doesn't foster valuing lifelong physical fitness ideas....blah, blah.... So, we play other super sonic fun dodging games that help them forget that Dodgeball even exists...

Then, this week, students were a little unruly in one class, and the steam was starting to seep out of my ears. Being in tune, as many 4th and 5th graders are, I had one come up to me, and say:

"Ms. Green, this class really just needs some Dodgeball."

I chuckled, and somehow everything was better after that.

4th Graders Putting Things Together......

Today as I was sitting in my office working, a student poked his head in the door:

Student: "Ms. Green, do you have husband?"
Me: "Uhhh, no, why do you ask?"
Student: "Well, because my friend, who used to go to Mary Hill School had a P.E. Teacher there named Mr. Green."
Me: "Really? hmmm, well, I guess he could be my husband....good question!"

And off he went, having put it all together.....and his friend hasn't....so, he'll be on the upside of the Ms. Green/Mr. Green sleuthing effort.