Rough Riders' Game!

Mrs. Arredondo has connections!  She arranged for our K - 4th grade students to sing the national anthem at last night's Rough Riders' game! 

After a warm-up, students had over an hour before the start of the game.  This was valuable time - as they got autographs from the players, were first in line at the concession stand, and had time to play on a playground. 

Once it was game time, students lined up and walked through the tunnel - coming up to the field.  Not only was this a very fun experience, but our students sounded awesome!

The night was filled with family fun.  We had a section reserved just for us - right behind home plate!  It was a great evening and all votes are in to indicate this should be an annual event!

Our warm-up and sound check:

We enjoyed time for dinner, autographs and pictures before game time!

 

 

 

And - GAME TIME meant lining up and waiting for time to take the field and sing the Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

What a special night for families!

Eight of our students were able to go to the field between innings and participate in a bouncy ball race!  

What do you do when the Rough Riders only have eight bouncy balls and eleven students want to participate?  Well - you make three junior photographers and give them the school camera!

Photo credits below go to the three students above (right to left!) I have to admit - action shots with stadium lighting would be difficult for me!  These student photographers did a great job!

 

Some great news is that the kind folks of the Rough Riders organization found enough t-shirts for all students, including our junior photographers!  

A HUGE SHOUT-OUT to our music teacher, Cindy Arredondo, for helping us obtain this fabulous opportunity!  And - of course, Anslie Dysart, our PCA North administrative assistant, kept us organized with ticket sales, seating, and general communication!  

Definitely, sign us up for next year!

Playing Catch Up!

I'm sort of funny about my blogging.  I like to keep things nice and chronological.  So, I'm going to do a quick "catch up" blog.  Life happens so fast around here that I can't possibly share EVERYTHING with you, but how I want too! 

My goal is to be in classrooms as OFTEN as possible.  Why?  Sure, classroom supervision is part of my "job description," but it is so much deeper.  Just ask our PCA North administrative assistant, Anslie Dysart.  When I come back from the classrooms, I'm almost skipping and whistling!  Again, why?  Because our teachers are AMAZING and no matter where I look - at any day or any time - I see FANTASTIC student learning. 

The above being said, I'm going to share a variety of things - just to "catch up!" 

First Grade Literature Centers

One of the most important things first graders learn is to become fluent readers.  As students rotate through literature centers, Mrs. Fuller has opportunity to listen to individual students read to guide and challenge them appropriately.

 

Music

Walking by our music classroom draws me in every time!  It's such a happy place.  Enjoy some pictures of our first and second graders in music.  Mrs. Arredondo does a great job of varying the activities and keeping students actively engaged.

Kindergarten Math Time and Centers

The first picture shows Mrs. Zarycki and students in a hands-on math activity.  Students understand numbers and place value so much more when they can actually touch and manipulate the objects. 

 

Centers are a big part of the kindergarten curriculum.  Each learning station (or center) has a specific purpose.  

 

I love the series of pictures to follow.  Who knew 100 cups could be so much fun!?

Third Grade Technology Integration

When speaking of technology integration, I never want to lose sight of the learning objective.  Sure, technology is a great tool, but is most beneficial if enhancing the learning objective.  Recently, Mrs. Troster and her students explored the reading skill of cause and effect.  After learning the objective, students used technology to demonstrate mastery.  One group made an iMovie while another used augmented reality.  I would explain augmented reality - except it BLOWS MY MIND!  Google it!  Or - come and watch some third graders demonstrate! 

These creative students used props found around the classroom to act out a "cop and robber" movie.  The production was videoed and in no time was ready to show to classmates.

 

Mrs. Noel

Our staff had time to say a prayer, give a small give, and say a huge 'THANK YOU' to Jennifer Noel.  North's very first art teacher has left her imprint on our school and we are going to miss her tremendously.  However, we are excited for the doors God has opened for her family and look forward to seeing what is ahead for her as she moves to Tulsa.  Each staff member wrote a favorite verse on a paint brush. 

Our North campus is blessed with a great group of enrichment teachers who offer students great experiences in PE, library, technology, art, music, Spanish, and Learning Lab!