HIGHLIGHT REEL

Wow! It's hard to believe that the year is already winding down. It has flown by, and it is so fun to watch these soon-to-be sixth graders grow and learn. Here are a few thoughts and reflections from the students on favorite moments and lessons they have learned this year. Enjoy!

This year, I grew more confident in my writing abilities and made a lot more friends. I learned that I sometimes struggle with math, but Ms. Bleitz and my classmates are always willing to help! This year was so fun! ~Maddie

I liked when Ms. Bleitz made us laugh. Once, she led an assembly, and one of the teachers off to the side gestured for her to tell us to sit down. She thought they were telling HER to sit down! She laughed harder at herself than anyone else did!~ Jacob

I had so much fun playing a soldier in "The British Are Coming!" That was my first time in a play, and I loved it! I wasn't one of the main parts, but Ms. Bleitz says that every part is important, no matter how small it seems, and the whole process was so much fun.~Samantha

I will never forget talking to Bill Nye about the solar system. He was so cool and funny and passionate---but he sounds much different in real life than on TV! We sang his theme song to him, and he was super impressed. ~Hannah

This year, I learned that I am the way I am for a reason. I learned that it's okay to be different, and that those differences only point to passions and talents and gifts that I can use for my whole life. I learned that it's okay to mess up as long as you learn from it, and that laughter is always, always possible. I will never forget this year. ~Arvin

FUTURE AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Our classroom is brimming with all kinds of talents. Everyone has their own particular gifts, and we make it a point in our classroom to celebrate each student and the unique gifts and talents they bring to our classroom. This week we completed a writing prompt about a day at the beach (wishful thinking, anyone?). Students were given a prompt--a sentence fragment--and had ten minutes to write the beginnings of a story. Students then read their story out loud to the class, and students voted on their top 3 stories---the three they would most want to keep reading. 

The prompt: Someone is walking along the beach when something washes onto shore--something she never would have expected. What does she find? Why is it important? How does it affect him/her?

Guess who made most of the lists and has agreed to share her story on our very own class blog?  Ladies and gentlemen...HERE'S ADRIANA!!! 

PS---We can't wait to hear the rest of the story, Adriana :)  

Michelle walked along the beach shore, hair tousled by the wing and getting more tangled by the minute. It was a perfect day---the sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, and the water lapped pleasantly at her feet. She stepped lightly on the damp sand, lost in her own thoughts yet halfheartedly scanning the beach for sea shells. Suddenly, she felt something stub her toe in the wet sand. She tripped and caught herself and stooped to find what had tripped her. It was a small book, leather bound, pages clinging together and slightly slimy from its stint in the water. It smelled vaguely of campfire smoke. The spine was battered but intact, with small silver lettering that read My Diary 1990-    . There was no name on the front cover, but when Michelle finally did pry it open, careful not to tear the fragile pages, a small photograph fell out. She picked it up and gaped, astonished---it was her!