Springing into Break!

We've finally made it! Spring has sprung (sort of) and the weather is starting to reflect how we've all been feelings in Room 702.
As we prepared ourselves for a week's vacation -- we enjoyed ourselves a little week of spirited activities.
Our countdown had begun -- we wrapped up units, pushed through our Math topics and even had a celebratory Spring assembly to kick off vacation.

 We began our week with a Social Studies -- Gallery Walk!  I divvied up the kids and gave each group a different poster, as well as a different colored marker. They were each given 2 minutes to write anything they could remember on the topic we'd been discussing for the past month. All of our colonial knowledge, slavery, economics, and government came together through this summarizing activity. The groups then rotated through, so every group had a chance to work at every station. The results were really cool -- this is a great way for them to demonstrate what they know and review with the ENTIRE class! :)

The end of the week proved to be a bit crazy, but not any less exciting. Our amazing 6th grade Math teacher took on the task of doing the St. Jude's Math-a-thon. 23 of her students rose to the challenge of raising money for this amazing cause. The challenge: Raise $1,000 and their science teacher would shave his head. As the money poured in and these kids worked hard to complete their math activity books -- it became clear they were going to meet and surpass that goal. When they passed $1,000 -- they wanted another victim - they asked one of the Title Aides if he'd join in as well (at $1,500 would he shave his head?). He agreed and the donations continued. As a final tally -- the kids raised $1,800 for St. Jude and at our Spring Assembly -- two male staff members (the only two who weren't already bald) had their heads shaved in front of everyone.

The science teacher prepped himself for this endeavor by dying his hair school colors on Thursday morning. 

With all of that excitement the kids were sent on their way -- with hopes of happy and relaxing weeks off. As we teachers take a few minutes to relax ourselves!
Although I have lots of ideas circulating and some things to look forward to when we return!

Book clubs:

and beginning our fun and exciting unit of poetry!

Have great Spring Breaks and hopefully you all return refreshed and ready for the end of the year!