Red Eyed Jack and Goblin in the Notch part 2

The adventure has continued...

The mailbox has been full with notes and pieces of the scavenger hunt.

First was a mailing that you see below with a note, 'money', and a map!

Shortly after was a note about a mysterious jade statue in Werewolf Woods.

Then today was a letter about RED EYED JACK.

As a family, we trekked out to look for Red Eyed Jack.  I even slid down to the creek to walk to Werewolf Woods!

First, we looked at one downed tree at the top of the ravine...this proved to not show anything.  I felt that it was probably the wrong tree (and I was right)!   The kids insisted on heading down the ravine and and down the creek.  A slippery muddy wet mess but full of giggles and memories.  Thank goodness for technology...mom (me) was alerted to return to the down tree.  Noises filled the woods as we returned to the down tree.   

With a bit of effort, back up the ravine we went.  We were greeted by Mr. S.

Time with Mr. S meant finding the correct tree...in the tree was a skull of Red Eyed Jack!  It was clear when we re-looked at the note!  The map matched the location very well.  That is one smart Goblin in the Notch!  No pictures of the finding of the skull since my phone was at 1%.

Here is today's prized treasure.

The adventure continued with fairy garden tours, sculpture sharing, and mysterious stories of 1906 trips to the moon (ie HG Wells).

The children were so intrigued.  I hope that they have fond memories of the real life scavenger hunt for years to come.

Everyone needs a neighbor like Mr. S to add some mystery and fun to summer.

The Goblin in the NOTCH!

When we chose our home 4 years ago, my husband and I picked it for the four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the acreage/yard, an out building with potential, and the price.

It was a scary decision, but it has paid off!  I love my street and neighborhood.  Covid has allowed us to meet so many people on the street.  Each has a story...each has history...many have lived here for generations.  

I love talking to the people that we meet.  As we walk at different times of the day, we meet different people.  At lunch time, is the kind gentle sitting on the porch reading.  In the evening is another gentleman and his beagle dog.  I have found that we attend church with others and some are my students.  

At the end of last summer, we befriended a kind gentleman...larger than life with his personality, voice, and size...a gentle giant of sorts.   He has given my children creek access on his property...he lets the kids use his swing in his yard...this week is a new adventure...the GOBLIN IN THE NOTCH!

My kids watch hours (more than I wish to admit) of youtube at times.  They love mysteries and unboxing videos.  People on scavenger hunts or doing a challenge.  

Recently, I got a facebook message that said "Hi, It's JS (name kept anonymous) from up the road. I have a mystery I am sending your kids. A Map, old money and a gift from the Goblin that lives in the creek. I hope this is OK. Not scary but fun. If this is an issue I understand but ________ Road has always had a spooky resident - Mrs. M - now me. I think you'll enjoy it too."

Today part one arrived - as it was about to rain - I got permission to open part 1!  I am so excited for this adventure and am worse than a child at Christmas waiting for the mail :)

These are ALL hand painted...my children quickly found places of honor for each of their treasures...

WANT TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN THE BOX...I HAD TO WAIT ALL DAY!

These were hand painted - my pictures do NOT show the details...

KEEP SCROLLING

TJ's goblin

Cadia's

Ben's blurry

Ben's a bit dark

Lucas' 

Bella with a funny sort of scary goblin face!

More is coming...watch for The Goblin in the NOTCH part 2 soon ;)

506 kids not 6

 People often are surprised to hear/see or realize that I have six children.  I never know how to respond or answer the comment.  There are many ideas and suggestions, but my answer is always - YES they are all mine.  There are actual 6 when we are missing any of them for whatever the reason.

Sometimes, I reply with the idea that I have 506 children NOT 6.

Being a teacher, means that I get to celebrate baseball wins, see seniors graduate, watch former students start their next chapter of life.  The downside is the gut wrenching feelings when I have to mourn the loss of a student or a close member of a student's family or a fellow educator.  These times are rare, but more frequent than I would like.

This week was such a week.  Tuesday (my son's sixth birthday) there was word of a fire on a local street.  I brushed it off as I got ready for a small gathering.  Then I stopped at Dollar General for cups for the gathering and the reality came at me full force.  

The report is double murder (children were 13 and 10) - suicide - arson.  One is a tragedy...two is a nightmare...all three is unfathomable.

Wednesday night brought a memorial service...tough decision to go...even tougher decision to lead the candlelight vigil unscripted.  

I struggled with what was I supposed to do...how to make a difference...what to say or do.

This morning was even more challenging as we went to Mass at our local parish church (where the family were members) not our usual church.  I needed to hear Father's words...I needed to cry and mourn the loss of my kids.

Our community is shaken...there are no words or solutions...but time will heal...until then I re-watch a recent video made by the little boy.  I look at his STEAM memory "sway" which is like a power point of his favorite STEAM activities over the past four years.  I see even more value in a simple project.  

Here is one slide of his power point - showing his baseball stadium at the top created out of cardboard.  His invention was for higher fences for greater safety!

Pray for the family and our community!

_________________________________________________________________________

Here are a few happy fourth of July STEAM option - check out this fun science experiment!  We might try it later today!

Underwater Fireworks

Learn about fireworks from Wonderopolis too :)

How Fireworks are Made

I will try to provide some periodic STEAM ideas! 

Enjoy your holiday...hugs your "kids"...cultivate your relationships...stay connected...celebrate every day :)

KITES, BUBBLES, and MORE!

 May = KITES
June = BUBBLES

Kindergarten has been super busy learning about plants, seedlings, and helping to water our school garden/tree seedlings.  It is a big job with the dry weather that we had.  They rocked watering them one cup at a time.  The plan was go out with 2 gallons of water.  Give each child 1 small cup - fill with water - then each child waters 1 seedling.  One of the favorite videos was on Brain Pop Junior about the parts of a plant. Plus we watch Dr. Binocs on plants too.

First grade made BIRD KITES!  This is a fun project, but does take a lot of pre-planning (stapling the birds and tying on the strings).  Plus they helped with plant watering as well.  In addition, we found a new fun website on farming - My American Farm.  It was a bit tricky to use on the touch screen tablets/surfaces.  

Here is how to make a Bird Kite...

Second grade made two kites - which is too many at one time!  Many of the classes also finished up the post kite info sheet.  We made SLED KITES AND BIRD KITES.  Next year...first grade will make bird kites and second grade will make just sled kites.  The tying of strings was TOUGH!  We are going to working tying knots sooner and more often.  Here is a brief video about Sled Kites - https://www.loom.com/share/b2fd98cc39154fa884a1109dc1d2516a

Third grade and fourth grade wrapped up INVENT IT.  Third grade the sled kites since I had the materials and the plans.  Over all this was a fun way to end the year.  Plus we did a bit more coding and EduTyping.  About 25% of third and fourth graders finished the home row!

Fourth grade worked on learning about SWAY and shared their favorite website, favorite activities, what they learned, and what they wished that we had done.  I LOVED READING THEM!!!

HERE ARE SOME KITE PICTURES:

NOW ONTO OUR LAST FUN ACTIVITY OF THE YEAR!  GIANT BUBBLES!

I had the wands from several years ago at field day and extra Dawn dish soap.  So I just need to buy corn starch and baking powder.  We skipped the glycerin.  Here is a video to show how to make the bubble wands and bubble mixture.

Here was my recipe that I found earlier:
1/2 cup of corn starch
1/2 cup of dawn dish soap
1 TBSP of baking powder
6 cups of WARM water

I tried to premake the mixture but will work right away.  It will need to be stirred periodically.  

HERE ARE THE STUDENT PICTURES:

We even did bubbles in the rain under the awning by the playground!

Teamwork bubbles

Just found this cool link and might try this next year~
https://news.emory.edu/features/2020/01/physics-of-bubbles/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2ZM54hlKN-1n-hmGh2gTpvqYQXNtO1SUkm_SobAJ-GEo3F6dxNQiJntS8 

Covid Creativity

 Mrs. Fonzo has been busy in the library.  She just complete a HUGE National Parks Project with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students.  Currently, students who JUST finished 4th grade and 5th grade can get a FREE National Parks Pass.  Here is the link for more information: 4th grade pass (good through summer of 2022) 5th grade pass (good through August 2021).  My fifth grader is using it for cheaper admission to Jamestown near Williamsburg VA.

In Library Kindergarten and First Grade read Little Libraries, Big Heroes.  Then they picked 2 books from our cart of books for the Little Free Library.  They got a cool bookmark with the books.

There are three in the area:  1. Wattsburg Area Elementary Center   2. Greene Township Park (they always need book donations as you are doing summer cleaning)  3. Wattsburg Borough between the park and the social hall.

Then Mrs. Hedderman and Mrs. Fonzo set up a SUMMER BOOK FAIR!  It is being held June 11 and June 12 to help get funds for the library AND supply families with summer reading.  To make it super special, 50 students (2 per homeroom) were chosen to pick out up to $10 in FREE books from the book fair.  It is always fun to work with Werner Books (a local book!)

It has been super fun to watch the students buy books and shop!  I like the extra space of being in the gymnasium too :)

Happy Summer Reading!

Summer 2021

 SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

I am not a good independent reader...I prefer a book club type setting or a podcast or a read aloud.  Just too busy to sit and just read for pleasure and myself.

I will keep listening to my two podcasts about my faith.

Looking for new books for my children to read...have a few fun ideas but it is really up to them.  Our school library has a series called "Caveboy Dave" by Aaron Reynolds that look like fun for TJ.  Then I had a friend post a book their child chose at the library and it just looked like a fun kid read for either Bella or TJ.  Lucas will be working through school readers, Dick and Jane, and easy readers - practicing those "high frequency words" or "trick words" as well as sounding out words!  Also need to find something to motivate the 13 year old to read for pleasure too.

For myself, I am reading a book called "Leading from the Library" with a group called 'Future Ready Librarians.' 

 

My first assignment was to create a slide about me!  Here is what I created - my favorite part is the kids on the water edge.

In addition, my family hopes to travel to some local/regional science museums.  I need to finish setting that up.  It will be purchased through a gift from a generous aunt at Christmas time.

I will keep you posted...What are you reading?  What are your children reading?