While exploring my favorite website, Pinterest, I came across this teacher poem.  It summed up so much about teaching.  As teachers are being acknowledged this week for the work we do, I think it's important to note that teaching is something I chose to do.  I absolutely love getting up each day to see those sweet, smiley faces.  No matter what is going on in my world, they make me feel loved.  Teaching is the most rewarding thing I've done in my life, besides being a mother.  I wouldn't trade my job for anything in this world.  I am truly blessed to have my job and the amazing kiddos and families I work with.  

Monday!!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything, so I figured I would jump on that today!!  I've been out of work for over a week now due to medical reasons.  I've missed my kiddos so much.  I have been keeping up with a few of them on Gmail.  Each day I've checked and am so excited when I see a new email from them.  They definitely have a way of making you feel loved.  Their sweet words always make my heart feel good.
  
I'm heading back to work on Monday, regardless of what the doctor says.  I cannot stay home any longer and be away from my kiddos.  I cannot wait to see their faces on Monday morning.  Have a great weekend everyone and get some rest!

Bridge Building final day

I was going to add these photos to the previous post, but thought they were just too good to post at the end of that post.  Today was the last day of our STEAM Challenge-Bridge Building.  Students put finishing touches, completed all of their evaluations, cleaned up their area, and worked on their presentation skills.  It was a busy, busy day!  I am so proud to introduce the most amazing bridges that held 12 pounds of weight.  They would have held more, if I had more weights to add to it, but I did not.  

I also want to say thank you to the parents that were able to make it in for the presentations today.  The students loved it and did an amazing job explaining STEAM to their parents.  I am so incredibly proud of all of them!  Enjoy the final STEAM Week Bridge Building Challenge pictures!

Bridge Building

Students have been actively engaged as engineers building Popsicle bridges.  On Monday, we started off as a grade level watching videos on different types of bridges and brainstorming materials bridges were made of.  After that, students returned to the classrooms where I provided them with further information to help them understand the different parts of bridges, what bridges are used for, and examples of bridges with an example of a Popsicle bridge to match the real one.  After that, I divided students into groups where they began the process of planning the type of bridge they wanted to build, giving it a name, and sketching out how it should look when it is done.  I've attached pictures below of their work on Monday and Tuesday.  I will update this post with pictures from today, Thursday, and Friday morning as I take them. 

Parents, don't forget Bridge Presentations are Friday afternoon from 2:00-2:45.  We look forward to showing off the awesome bridges your Engineer is creating!

Monday's Pictures:

Tuesday's Pictures

Wednesday's Pictures

Thursday's Pictures