New classroom

I've had the idea of using exercise balls as chairs for a while now. But just recently did I finally order the stuff to make it happen. I ordered 22 balls and 50 lbs of sand. It took about the whole weekend to get it set up but it was totally worth it. They are super comfortable and the students really like them. (The desks are the new desks I got through donors choose earlier this year.)

Spring Break

A couple of weeks ago we had a spring break!! It was so much fun but traveling was a pain. The first day we tried to get out all day, but our flights were all cancelled. We finally got out the next day in the evening. Then on the way back I got stuck in Bethel for another night. This will definitely affect my plans for next spring break. I think traveling for vacation is a little overacted.

While in Anchorage we took a trip to Seward. Nali loved the long car ride so much. She slept, tried to be the driver, and found seats on all of us.

We also got to see the Iditarod. After 3 years of being here I finally got to see the ceremonial start. This is Dallas Seavey who ended up winning the Iditarod this year.

The funniest thing was the running of the reindeer. We actually got to run 4 blocks while they had reindeer run between us. It was really funny to see people try to ride the reindeer, and they were not going to have any part in this. Obviously they were really drunk.

The best part was going to Gwennie's later that evening. My mom insisted we go even though I told here was probably just a local greasy dive. I was right. Here is who my Grandma got to sit next to.

Science fair!!

I have been crazy busy as usual. It was especially busy the last couple of weeks. We've had tons of basketball, I worked many hours on science fair project, travelled to science fair in Bethel for 3 days, went to Newtok for League basketball, and then had spring break. (I will post about this in a separate post.)

I took 1 student to Bethel for science fair.  She is a 4th grader and we had a blast. We got to have fun doing science, go to the store and go swimming!!  In the end she ended up getting first place in the elementary division!!

 

This is a picture of Gloria presenting her project.  She studied how animals stay warm.  To do this she filled a glove with Crisco (blubber), used a cloth (animal fur), and made a clay box (den). She placed a thermometer in each one and stuck them outside, monitoring the temperature every 10 minutes.  She also had a control, where there was nothing to protect the thermometer.

Crammed in the car to go to the store

Swimming was so much fun.  The pool even had a slide. For most of these students this was their first time swimming in a pool. Let's just say this was the highlight of the trip. Gloria was praying that we got stuck so we could go swimming again. lol.

Please Help!!

I am asking for donations to help get some science materials for my kids in physical science.  Can you help me out? My project was just approved and posted on DonorsChoose.org. Here’s my classroom request:
http://www.donorschoose.org/lucas

To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code SPARK on the payment screen. This awesome match offer lasts through January 28, 2015. Your gift will help me, my current students, and future students tremendously. I would be very grateful if you would pass on this message to anyone else who could help.

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me.  I am forever grateful.

Fun Things at School

I've been meaning to put up a new post since I got back from break. Now I am finally doing it. Here is a video from our Christmas program.  The 2nd graders played the bells and the 3rd graders helped sing.  It was so cute!!

 

Last weekend we had junior high basketball at our school.  Unfortunately only Chefornak was able to make it due to the weather.  But even with only one team making it, everyone had fun.  I even played with the girls the next day. lol.  

Christmas Break

Nali is waiting so patiently for our flight to anchorage. She is actually fairly calm. I gave her 2 Benadryl, 3 calming treats, and tried to embarrass her with a light up Christmas sweater. So far she has done pretty well by just laying in the window and watching everything. There have been at least 7 other dogs and one child running around. Lots of excitement!!

NYO and pizza party

Thought I should do an update.  Things have been crazy busy lately!! We had a home NYO (native youth Olympics) last weekend.  NYO is kind of like the field part of track and field.  Here are some pics and videos.

The video above is the toe kick.  He didn't quite get it.  The object is to kick the stick straight back.  This kid is also an amazing singer. Check out his facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/I.Sing.You.Dance?ref=br_tf

This is the wrist carry.  The object of this event is to hold on with your wrist for as long as you can.  It looks very painful in my opinion.

This pic above is from our home meet.  The event is the 2-foot.  They have to jump and hit the ball with 2 feet and then land with their feet together.

The next pics are of the Indian stick pull.  The stick is greased with Crisco.  The have to get the stick without moving their feet. These are pics from Chefornak this weekend.

 

After getting back from Chefornak we had a pizza party for the 7th graders because their class had the best attend ace at morning assembly for the last 4 weeks. It was a lot of fun!!!  We had homemade pizza and gave them gym time to play ball.  We even had a quick game against them.  It was exhausting!! lol.  I need to start running more.  Next we have a game tomorrow against students who missed one total day or less in the last 4 weeks.  Wish us luck, we will definitely need it!!

This is a horrible pic, but I had to post it becuase I am wearing my new kuspuk!! Darlene did an awesome job, and now I have a science kuspuk :)