Things Got Strange At School: In A Good Way!

The Sonoran Desert is filled with animals and plants that boggle the mind in appearance and ability. Yet, it was the weather that coaxed every one of my 6th graders away from learning and out the door recently. A welcome week of rain suddenly morphed into snow! Students ran to the windows and marveled at the white stuff falling steadily from the sky. Knowing that there would be no competing with the weather, I encouraged (led) the students to go outside and explore. My room is upstairs so the students had a great view of the snow and graupel piling up around campus.

Our preschool area covered with snow looks magical. Students scooped up handfuls and took bites of the snow, then began a snowball fight. My class was alone in the snow until another teacher opened a door and out piled more students. Incredibly, only 2 classes abandoned lessons to create joy in that unique moment. Sometimes the best learning has to be experienced.

37 thoughts on “Things Got Strange At School: In A Good Way!

    • Hi Cole,
      Snow in the Cave Creek and Phoenix area is not common which is why my students and I had so much fun that day. Lacrosse is a sport that is gaining popularity here. Many of the students here play. I will ask them to reply to you about lacrosse. It is a sport I have never played. The Flipgrid is something I’d like to try as it looks fascinating. Thanks for the pingback. How is lacrosse going?

  1. Lacrosse is going great! Thank you for asking. I forgot to say this but I play goalie for my team. I also for got to to say this but I love to read. My favorite book/series is Percy Jackson and Wings Of Fire. Even though I am not there I would like to recommend a few book series to them. Wings Of Fire, The 39 Clues, and Percy Jackson. Here is a link to the Flipgrid. It records your voice and you at the same time. The Link: https://flipgrid.com/a86fd26d After you are done recording you can snap a selfie of your self and put funny things on the pic. I have put an example on there for you and other people. I can also show you how to make one to. Maybe some of your students to try it. there is also a way to reply to a response. When you click on there video there is a thing at the bottom of the video. It is green and it has a speech bubble like on Texting. Click that then you can record you self on there video and it will show up as a reply.

    • Hi Cole,
      Several of my students were impressed with the quality of your comment on our blog. The book series you listed are also popular here, especially Wings of Fire.
      We are going to try Flipgrid next week. Thank you for your tips about how to use the app.
      Our spring break is approaching and the weather here is warming up and gorgeous. How are you doing in Lacrosse this week?
      Best,
      Mrs. D and students

          • Hi Cole,
            Yes, she is one of my students. Have you visited her blog, or has she visited yours?
            Best,
            Mrs. D

          • I have looked at her blog. I can not wait for you guys to do the flipgrid. I am sorry for responding here My computer would not let me respond down there. I am looking forward to meeting some of your students and you. Hope you enjoy doing it. I can show you how to create your own account to do with some of your students.

    • Hi Cole,
      My name is Rocco I play attack for my lacrosse team Desert Elite Lacrosse. We are #1 in Arizona for 12 U. I hope we meet at a lacrosse camp. Good Luck!

      • I was wrong about what position I play I play defense. Do you use a de- poll? I don’t. There is one kid on my team that has one, but doesn’t use it that often. :(. All the other teams have de- polls. Why can’t I have a de-poll? Any way have fun! 🙂

  2. Hi Mrs. Doran! That was so cool, wasn’t it? There was snow at my house and when I got home I threw some at my grandma and she said she’d get me back but that never happened oddly enough. Anyways it was slippery and slidey after school while everyone was throwing ice/snow at each other.

    • Hi lily. I saw your blog post. I hope you had a great time in the snow. Last year the US had a blizzard and the snow was up to my knees. Did you read the Wing Of Fire series? I have. There is a graphic novels of it to. The first book and The Lost Heir

    • Hi Cole,
      Thanks for the wishes. We send the same back to you! Our district is on Spring Break until April 1, 2019. We will be back rested and ready for more blog adventures.
      Best,
      Mrs. D

  3. Welcome Back to School! I have been in school this whole time you have been off! I do not have a spring break, but I do have a Easter break>

  4. VERY IMPORTANT! Mrs.D do you know how to Skyp? I was wondering for this weeks task if you wanted to Skyp with Mr.Balak’s class (with me). Thanks.

    • Hi Cole,
      It’s so nice to see your comments and know you have had a busy time lately. We resumed school this week and are in the midst of taking our state testing for the next few weeks.
      My students are testing for the next 4 days, but we would love to Skype with your class and see you!
      Arizona has large tests that take place over a 3 week period every April. My students are a bit stressed out over them and a break would be nice.
      Let me see what our schedule is like and get back to you!
      Best Wishes for a great Thursday to you!
      Mrs. D

      • Any time from 1:30 to 2:00 Eastern time next week could work. In your time that would be 10:30 to 11:00. Thank you so much again for doing this. I also have a Flipgrid feedback form this week.

        • Hi Cole,
          Our state testing is called AZ Merit. It sounds like you are taking the international PSSA test. My own children took that for years. The Arizona test is a bit different, but probably just as stressful as the one you will take.

          We are testing most days this week. Good luck on yours and I hope to Skype after testing is over for both of our schools.
          Warm Wishes,
          Mrs. D

  5. Hi again. I just had the first week of testing the ELA ones. Now we have a 3 day weekend for Easter. Then on Thursday and Wednesday I have math. Also when do you want to skyp? The tests did and It was kind of boring, but after that we had a 30 – 1 hour break. How were your tests?

        • Hi Cole!
          You survived your testing and are close to the end of the year. We have been busy with overnight trips to Prescott, testing, and school events lately. What are you going to do this summer?
          Mrs D

          • Oh. Cool. Where were you going to? I have a lax camp. I also have a beach vacation.

          • I’m going to the east coast for a conference and hopefully doing a lot of hiking this summer. Arizona has beautiful places to spend time outdoors.

            The beach sounds lovely!

    • Hi Cole,
      I apologize for not finding a workable time to Skype with you. There are so many things to do at the end of the year here. We have had an author visit, our annual Wax Museum, Culture Fair, and several other events that take up entire days of school. All of them are amazing and informative though. How are you? When do you get to pack up and say goodbye for the school year?
      Best,
      Mrs. D

        • Hi Cole,
          Have a super summer! We ended school yesterday and everyone is off for middle school adventures. I hope we can reconnect next school year.
          Best Wishes,
          Mrs. D and the Roadrunners

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