Party On: Last Day of School

Today was the last day of the school year, so it was party day. The new school year begins on Monday, and along with it, I will have a completely different teaching schedule. I'll be teaching 1st-6th grade as of next week, so I had to say good-bye to all my preschoolers. I'll still seem them in the hall at school, and I'll try to visit their classroom when I have a break, but I'll no longer be their teacher. I also had to say goodbye to several students who are going to different schools. One of my little girls is emigrating to Canada. Goodbyes are always hard. I genuinely love my students. I hope I've given them the best possible start to their English education. Last night I was looking through their pictures from the beginning of the school year. It's amazing to see how much they've grown and consider how much they've learned in one year.

Our last teachers' lunch of the school year:Partying preschool/kindergarten-style. Bring on the ABC computer games!My bilingual 3rd/4th grade classes finished a unit on reading and writing instructions, so it was time for a project. I wrote the instructions for rice krispie treats. We brought in a portable gas range and all the ingredients and set them loose. The kids loved it, but it will be a LONG time before I cook with 11 9-year-olds again.We spent the rest of the class time playing Monopoly and watching a movie. The kids had never played Monopoly before and loved it. I wish I had more board games to play with them because they're a great way for the kids to practice their reading, speaking, and negotiating skills.

Note: I was the banker; I didn't buy up all the property from the kids.I'm sad to say goodbye to some wonderful students, but overall, the day was a lot of work but a lot fun.