Bricks4Kidz Mobile Field Trip

I was hesitant when I first heard about the Bricks4Kidz field trip.  I was thinking "part of the fun of a field trip is getting to go somewhere outside of the school."  Reflecting on this now that I've experienced a field trip that comes to us, I think it's even better than your standard field trip! There's no bus ride ("wasted time"), and you get to have fun in an environment that is normally very strict and time-regimented.

The Bricks4Kidz representatives were only with our class for an hour, but we also got to do creative building outside with cardboard boxes and build with Legos the entire rest of the day!  

During the hour they were in our room, they taught students how to make a Merry Go Round following some 'simple' directions and attaching a motor.  I say 'simple' because I think it's more suitable for kindergartners in the second half of the year... they needed a good amount of adult help to follow the directions at this point.  It was still fun, and as we explained the directions, they were able to find the correct pieces and connect them accordingly.

The best part was that once students made a basic model, they were able to adjust however they wanted!  This was a neat experimentation time.  Students could make their Merry Go Round longer, able seat more people, etc.  Oh, and the kids also got to make their own minifig to ride the Merry Go Round and to take home.  So that's pretty cool!

Last Week of School

I'm used to the last week of school being half days, but I actually think it's better to have full days. You can get more accomplished! We still did our usual activities for the EOY celebration, but it was a lot less frantic.

Bubbles & Chalk:

Book Character Dress-Up Day:

Luau/Picnic:

This was even more awesome than in years past because (a) I brought my Griddler to school instead of the Crockpot and (b) a window leads right to the courtyard, so Mrs. Dean took kids' orders through the window as I served the food! Hilarious!

Last Day Lego Party!! Because EOY kindergartners have "the building blocks of success!" 

The sad news is that I couldn't find any of my past years' decorations. Somehow they got lost (?) in the move I guess. I'm still hoping they'll turn up, I loved those Lego men! The amazing news is that I have the best student parents, and one of them came up with this incredible game. (Thanks, Mrs. Returns!!)  

Pin the head on the Legoman!  Next year I will make the mask that comes with this set so that they don't have a cloth blindfold. Plus, it's adorable.

Lego toss! We have some great throwers.

While most stores don't have Lego licenses and won't make Lego cupcakes, 

you can easily throw a lego on top of cupcakes to make them fit the Lego theme.

Lego diplomas. :D

Mrs. Returns also found these adorable masks at Target! (I am telling you, she really made the party this year. THANK YOU AGAIN!) I can't seem to find a link to them online. I also passed right by them in the store, because they were in the far left corner, away from most of the themed party stuff.  Target also has Lego banners which you can only buy in stores. 

Of course they were enjoying their Ring Pops at the same time, haha. Congratulations, Class of 2027! One year of school, done. 2027? That makes me feel so old.

Fall

Well, fall certainly comes later in Georgia than it did in Virginia... But it still happens! This is how we spent a good chunk of recess in the last two weeks:

I love jumping pictures. I love leaves. Hooray for fall! After we made the pile and the kids took turns jumping, I said "Guys! Now we get to COUNT ALL THE LEAVES!"  They said no. No, no, no.