SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

 As we prepare for this rare phenomenon.  Here are a few links, videos, and information that I shared with my students over the past 2 weeks.

VIDEO OVERVIEWS:

First, this video from PBS is a great overview

In addition, the younger students watch part of a Ready Jet GO video - 

If you are looking for fun activities - here are some links:

1. PIN HOLE PROJECTORS - I sent home one with a map and a hole.  But you can also find this video on how to make more.  

NASA PIN HOLE

Or look at PBS for ideas on how to make one with a cereal box and tin foil.  

You can also create a model of solar eclipse with playdough and a flashlight or sunlight.

General information and times:

Google Map - the times are in UT or Universal Times - not even military - so 18:02 = 2:02 
It can be glitchy at times!

Times of the eclipse

This has a solar eclipse simulator as well!

Simulator

NASA ECLIPSE INFO

One word 2024

 Yes...my blog is quiet...lots of reasons...policy concerns, mental health, and a busy life.  I know that this is a stage and phase of life.

Each year...I start with a new word...ONE WORD to steer my thoughts and year.

2023 was energy...well Covid caught hold in March and I had a tough fall.  But I tried to sustain my energy.

2024...ONE WORD is EMBRACE! Embrace my job...Embrace the chaos of life...Embrace my children...Embrace my faith.

Can't run...can't hide...so open my arms and embrace life.

 Here are my previous words:

2023- ENERGY 

2022 - MEMORIES 

2021 - ENOUGH

2020 - ENGAGED
2019 - CREATIVITY

2018 - PATIENCE

2017 - TRUST

2016 - FOCUS

I have several blog posts on the ONE WORD concept. Here is last year's link: 2023 One Word

Happy New Year

October

 Maybe we can get back to weekly posts ...

Life is crazy...

My daughter is doing color guard...as a parent you can just pick up your kid or volunteer, attend events, and more!

Plus I hosted 20 people for a training and attended another training.

Helped a family with a small funeral.

Celebrated my birthday.

Plus every day life with my husband, 6 kids, church, and more!

Chaos-october has 1 more weekend...

But yesterday was our Halloween events at school...parade, parties, and trunk or treat.

Here is the team costume for 2023...music genres :)

Country, classic, pop, 50's sock hop, and disco

If you want to see the previous costumes, here is a link for  2022 and 2016-2021

 Fun tradition...ever changing team...great memories!

It was awesome seeing other teams join in too!

Back to school 2023

 Wow...1 month of learning and fun!

Internet Safety, engineering our names, learning how to use devices, Dot Day, pixels, stick together, Pebble Go choice boards, pumpkin run, and more!

I am working on finding my rhythm or groove but love these lessons and learning.

In addition, I am also trying new things...finish old projects...embracing joy moments  :)

Here are some pictures!

Week 1...creative name building using every day materials - the inspiration was from Carly and Adam blog

Week 2 and 3

Team work challenge - Inspiration - Carly and Adam - Team work

 -  

Shapes with Kindergarten and First

                                                       

Puzzles are great problem solving activities

Create with caps/dots

Dot Day 2023

 

Pixel art

                                               

Pixel art - part 2

Stick Together Mosaic - started years ago - goal is to finish in October
Stick Together

Plus the garden is in full swing for our fall harvest.  The garden had three harvests go to the cafeteria lunches :)

                                        

October will be more farm to table lessons, fire safety, and more!

Summer bucket list

 Last year, we started a summer 'bucket' list.

We tried to repeat this year...

Ben wanted to check out USA kilts near Collegeville PA and check out the races near us.  Hoping to do this next weekend?

Bella wanted to camp and re-visit Letchworth.

TJ wanted to have a summer birthday party and visit Letchworth.

Lucas wanted to have his friend over to play and just chill.

Cadia wanted to go McDonald's play place and have an over night with grandparents.

Mom wanted to go out 1 time per month with adults (dinner in June, breakfast in July, breakfast in August) and read at least 3 books.  I read 4!

Well yesterday we finished most of the bucket list.  12 hours...no cell service...no camping but still a fun day :)

Here a few summer highlight pictures

They are already plotting for summer 24!

Ready to go

 As a public school educator, I struggle with late August.  

I LOVE teaching...really!  

I LOVE seeing colleagues!

I LOVE planning new lessons!

I struggle/grapple with the end of summer feelings.

This week was no different.  Our end of summer camping trip has to changed to a day trip.

Difficult but meaningful back to school presentations.  Google Rachel's Challenge.

Mini stressors like delays in information.

But a few things are helping remind me to keep going forward. 

1. Attending a high school football game...seeing students past and present.  I have touched their lives in some way.  I have more lives to touch.

2. This quote at inservice...

3. Seeing the excitement of new teachers.  I am loving mentoring a new teacher.  So ready to make a difference.

Onto a new year...new lessons...new outlook!

One day at a time!

Summer Learning Fun

 I tried to post links on Facebook and hyper links were not working.

Here is the same info in a blog post.

Happy Summer...buried in your child's bookbag is a neon yellow summer reading letter! 

Everything is 100% optional  :)

https://erielibrary.org/ (starts on Monday) 

Erie Library

https://www.wqln.org/q-kids-readers#q-kids-readers-for-home

WQLN 

https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/

Barnes and Noble

https://www.chuckecheese.com/activities-and-downloads/

Chuck E Cheese

https://www.bookitprogram.com/programs/camp-book-it

Camp Book It

Other cool links:

Scholastic Home Base

Summer choice boards

Little Free Library map

More to follow :)

Playground fun

Two of my children are working on a fitness merit badge for Boy Scouts.

In addition, last summer we started a family bucket list.

Put those together...I have a 10 year old and 5 year old who want to visit as many playgrounds in our county.

As we visit playgrounds, I will add to this post.

Let us start with new finds...

6/7 Nature Play Space at TREC

It was quiet...like private experience!

Pros: New equipment like a tunnel, gravel pit, wooden seesaw, climber, and more.

Cons: No public restrooms after hours and might not be toddler fun.

6/5 was a re-discovery of Lake Cliff Park in Lawrence Park.  We were in search of a zipline.

Pros: Zipline, fun climbers, 3 different play structures, short trail to the lake.

Cons: Port a Potties and flying softballs, and super high swings.

On Sunday, Cadia had a birthday party at Greenefield Township Park.

Pros: Pavilions, bathrooms, walking/exercise trail, 2 play structures, lots of space to explore

Cons: A bit out of the way and limited shade.

Saturday 6/3 we tried the McClelland Dog Park

This spawned the search for new parks.

Pros: Nature trail, new pavilion, dog parks, 1 play area

Cons: Port a potty, rough crowd of unmonitored children, and a broken zipline.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we visited our favorite Greene Township and updated Wattsburg Community Park.  No pictures of those yet!

Look for updates and inspiration throughout the summer...off to another playground -  Scott Park.