The School Year Comes to an End

Just like that the 2017-2018 school year comes to an end.  It was an amazing year with a lot of growth for both kids.  Reagan completed 3rd grade and Cole completed 1st grade.  Both absolutely LOVED their teachers and are very sad to be leaving them.
 
Reagan had Mrs. Sherry and she was such a perfect fit for her.  In the last few days of school Reagan participated in "Trade Day".  All the students in the 3rd grade were tasked with coming up with a product that they could trade.  The kids had teams of four and brainstormed ideas.  They had to be able to make 20 of the same product (5 each) but weren't able to buy anything to create the product.  Reagan's team decided to make bookmarks.  They used paint strips and colored pictures in each of the color squares.  Then punched a hole in the top and threaded ribbon through it.  Other teams made "lava lamps" with oil and vinegar in water bottles, some made miniature basketball hoops out of tongue depressors, plastic cup and a paper back board with triangular football.  Others made "backpack bling" using beads and string they found in the classroom or at home.

Each team then created posters that they hung throughout the halls at the school to advertise their product and let people know what room to visit to find it.  They also setup a "store front" in their classroom.  Two teams at a time were able to go from one 3rd grade class to the next when the whistle blew to trade for other products.  There were no forced trades - both kids had to agree to the trade.  They had so much fun and I love the creativity that they showed!

On the last day of school Cole asked if he could go visit Mrs. Galvan over the summer.  When I told him no, he asked if he could email her then.  I found a paper in his writing journal where he wrote that the best thing about 1st grade was Mrs. Galvan.  That says a lot!!  Both teachers were absolutely amazing and they will be a tough act to follow next year!!