Christmas

     Shhh....Have you heard, we're on a top secret mission to save Christmas?  The students in our class are very excited about our secret mission delivered by our very own elf, Jingle.  Last Monday, we came into class and found a mysterious envelope labeled "Top Secret" on our board.  Upon opening the envelope, we learned that Santa had spilled hot chocolate on his laptop ruining ALL of his files.  He needed some hard working students to help him recreate his files while keeping his secret.  If others found out that his files were ruined they would be worried!  We have spent the last two weeks, traveling around the world learning about Christmas traditions in other countries.  Santa has to be sure he understands each country's traditions before visiting...he would be embarressed to leave shoes unfilled (instead of stockings) or hide a pickle in a tree where children do not understand the pickle tradition!  The students cannot wait each afternoon as we board our "plane" (Google Earth) and zoom over each country to investigate landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  We also read a daily letter left by our elf and view a flipchart that provides more information about our country.  After researching our country, the students complete a fact sheet that includes three facts and illustrations specific to that day's country and have their passports stamped. 
     We have also been asked to complete an assignment for Mrs. Claus.  Our elf, Jingle reported to to Mrs. Claus that our gingerbread cookies smelled better than hers while cooking.  He thought Santa would like to try them...but Mrs. Claus needs our recipe.  She sent our class an email and asked if we would write the recipe for her, that would also let her see how our writing skills have improved over the year.  Each student has written a "How to Make Gingerbread Men" cookbook providing step by step directions for Mrs. Claus.  They have been very excited to share their recipes with her!  The details and writing in their books have been amazing! 
     The students have really enjoyed their research and writing activities during this unit.  They have felt that their work was important and have been eager to complete each assignment.  They cannot wait to "send off" their completed work to the North Pole at the end of the week.  They may or may not have shared their excitement with you at home because part of the excitement was that it was a "top secret mission" from Santa.  In case they have not shared, I wanted you to be aware of how hard they have been working over the last two weeks!  We are very proud of their hard work!          

Clemson Carolina Challenge

Clemson won our Clemson Carolina Challenge; we were able to raise a lot of money to go towards our Relay for Life team.  Thank you all for your support!  Our class was in the lead for kindergarten until the last couple of days.  We were not able to catch back up with Ms. Garner's class in the final count, but we tried hard throughout the challenge.  At the final count, either Dr. Patterson (Clemson)  or Mrs. Skinner (Carolina) had promised to kiss a pig.  We raised enough money that Mrs. Ford decided to get in on the fun and kiss the pig too!  Here are Mrs. Skinner and Mrs. Ford in the moment the students had been waiting to see.