Monday, May 30, 2011

Shaastrotsav – Festival of Science,Q8

As a kid I vividly remember taking part in the science exhibitions that were organized in our school. A few times, I represented our school also.
Science is a necessary part of an educational system, something indispensable for students. But it should be taught in a way wherein it doesn't become a mental load for students. A wonderful way of doing so is to organize exhibitions to promote science, and also to develop a scientific approach towards different theories.

When we came to know about Shaastrotsav – The Festival of Science, we at once decided to attend it. Very recently on 6th May in the state of the art campus of GUST, Mishref-Kuwait; it was organized by NSS College of Engineering Alumni (Kuwait Chapter) in association with Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST). This was the third time this festival was organized in Kuwait. Our visit was a flashback to both me and Jeet. We both remembered our school days and the exhibitions that we attended and were part of. The involvement of teachers, students and parents and the various models by students impressed us.  There was also a competition on animation series and it dazzled us to see kids making very nice, short animation movies. 

For more information on Shaastrotsav, you can check their website http://www.shaastrotsav.org/2011/?p=61

Here are some pictures from the event....










Hectic Weekend,Q8

The weekend was really very hectic and by mid of it, it started becoming unpleasant. We had 3 birthdays to attend, 1 anniversary party and 1 dinner party. Thursday was fine, as we attended the birthday parties and also Rawat bhaiya and Ratna bhabi's anniversary party at Mughal Mahal,Fahaheel.It was their 17th anniversary and it seems everyone enjoyed the evening. I had organised few games for the couples, which was received well by all the guest.

As for the birthday parties it was at McDonald. A GREAT PLACE to organize birthday of your kid...you need not worry about the cake, games, return gift etc. They do it all....these parties are Mehr's favorite. I even had to cancel my tuitions to take her to both the parties. The two hours at McDonald is total fun time for the kids.

Even Friday morning we had an invitation...everything was going on well, when suddenly Mehr had running nose  and high fever. We took her to hospital but the paediatrics said there was nothing serious but "just an allergy". Anyway her running nose is making her breathing very difficult and because of it she has started coughing. Heavy vomiting in the afternoon, block  running nose is giving her lot of problem. I am trying out home-made remedies and also giving her the medicines that the doctor have prescribed. She is not able to attend her play-school, which she hates to remain absent.Hope my darling gets well soon.

Here are some pictures of McDonald and the anniversary party.

   






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Friday, May 27, 2011

It's a *zoo* in here!!

Even though this was from a few weeks ago, I promised some of my parents I would post!  My students worked soooo hard on their research projects and I was too proud not to share.  One of our state standards is to narrow a research question, appropriate to grade level and ability, and use outside sources to answer the question. My Kindergarten colleague and I chose to have students do a research topic on a particular zoo animal and asked them to present their posters during zoo week.  I was amazed at my students' presentations and all that they taught ME! Way to go guys! :) 
Students were informed that they had to be knowledgeable on their animal and be able to  share their poster with the class.  Below, Molly is informing us on all she learned about tigers. 
Kaylee went to the Knoxville Zoo and picked up some artifacts to share with our class about giraffes. She even took pictures of animals she saw and shared them with us!  
Of course we tied zoo into our Literacy Work Stations.  Students listened to Rumble in the Jungle during Listening time and learned about various animals in their rotations. 
Each day, we chose a different animal to focus on and learn about.  We charted webs and facts after we read informational texts.  Here is a bubble map we put together on kangaroos!
We even had time to squeeze in a few art activities. Kindergarten literally was a "zoo" that week! Students used brown finger paint to add the giraffe's pattern on its body.  Did you know that every giraffe has a different pattern? Also, we used a paper plate to create an elephant.  
Happy Memorial Day Weekend.  Love, Miss E

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Shanta Uzir Nite,Kuwait,2011

This time for our Rongali Bihu celebration, we had the versatile Assamese singer Shanta Uzir and her music-director husband as our special guest.  She gave a great performance and made everyone present on Hotel Crown Plaza's ball room on 13 May, to dance to her songs.


An evening to remember and cherish.....





Jetuka 2011


Again I started neglecting my blog for few days…and whenever I do it, I feel very bad and sometimes helpless. This time it was the Bihu Celebration that took all my time and energy and I could not do anything. Infact I was fighting against time to publish our ( Assam Association Kuwait) annual magazine Jetuka as I was one of the editors. Alok da (Alok Das) was the other editor, we worked as a team. We get very less time; the new committee gets elected in March but cannot do anything till the previous resigns. By the time the new members take over, decide on the theme, request for article, edit them and then publish them, we have very little time.Apart from the magazine, I was part of the Bihu group dance, which we say Husori. So I had to run to press and for practise.

Anyway, all went well. We were able to publish the magazine on time….on Santa Uzir Nite. Shanta Uzir, a very versatile star of Assam, gave a sterling Performance at a Bihu Function held on 13-May-2011 at Hotel Crowne Plaza. It was an evening which we all are sure to remember. All went well, as planned. Everyone from kids to adults enjoyed.

Here are some pictures....










Monday, May 9, 2011

Teacher Appreciation Week!

This post is a little late as well...but I had to share. Check out what my students made me...and best of all, they kept it a surprise! (Anyone who teaches younger grades knows how difficult this task can be) I about died when my art teacher walked in carrying this blanket. Apparently one of my parents sent in a plain blanket and paints to our school's art teacher, asking her to stamp each child's hand print and write their name. I'm pretty sure my facial expression says it all.  I was totally surprised and thrilled with the gift! :)  I love my kiddos. 
I had to give everyone hugs.  
And here is the blanket with *most* of my class - not all of them made it in the photo.  OOPS!  So thankful for the sweet gift and the thought that went in behind it.  I will certainly treasure this gift for years to come.  To all of my parents reading - thank you for sharing your child with me.  Your child has touched me beyond words and I'm certain they will do great things in the future.  I hope all of my teacher friends had a great Teacher Appreciation Week!
Love, Miss E

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there!  Just wanted to share 2 little things my students put together for their Mom's.  I hope they kept it a secret like I instructed them to do! ;-) 
We planted our Mom's flowers and they started to bloom.  Yay! A few years back...we had no such luck and gave our Moms a cup full of dirt.  Oops. I'm sure they still loved it the same!  If that ever happens to you - no worries.  Just attach this poem:
I planted some seeds in hopes that they'd grow,
Something went wrong, I just don't know...
Instead of some flowers, it's a cupful of dirt.
I love you - I hope your feelings aren't hurt!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
This project is a favorite every school year.  Students are given scraps and are instructed to create their Mom's sleeping in her bed.  It is suppose to appear as if her head is poking out from under her covers.  We glue it on the front of a paper bag and attached the following poem:
Breakfast in Bed
Since it is your day,
I have something to say.
Don't lift your head,
Have breakfast in bed.
Just take a look...
You don't have to cook!
I don't like to brag,
But it's breakfast in a bag!
Happy Mother's Day 2011
Enjoy!
Inside the bag, we place: a napkin, apple, breakfast bar, and a tea bag.  Wished I would've gotten a few shots of some other bags.  A few of my students (I think) created their Mom's hair to look like it actually looks when they wake up in the morning.  It was sticking up and all over the place - hilarious!  I used scrapbook paper this year, but scraps from wallpaper books make great "bed spreads" for the bags as well.  Check out more mother's day stuff {here}.  Thank you again to all the Mom's out there and everything you do for your children.  To my Mother - I love you and adore you.  Thank you for ALWAYS being there.
~Miss E

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Going Buggy!

The title of my post says it all.  I have literally been going buggy.  Between cheerleading tryouts, wrapping up the end of the school year, graduate school, and distributing our school's yearbooks...I haven't slept much!  Been living at school lately! :)  Ha...good news is, this is my last year as Yearbook sponsor.  Hooray!!!  Anyways...I am posting stuff from 2 weeks ago.  This is just a snip it of our insect week.  We had a great time studying bugs.  After reading TONS of nonfiction books, making webs and bubble maps, and watching Brain Pop videos...here is what we put together!  My students just LOVEEE creepy crawlies.  Me on the other hand - not so much.  EEK!
We used our fingerprints to make ants and ladybugs.
We made a bee book.  "Here is the beehive, where are the bees?  Hiding quietly, where nobody sees.  Are you sure?  Let's peek in the hive.  One, two, three, four, five...OUCH!!"
  A few Ellison Di Cuts and a paper plate...and wallah! The Life Cycle of a Butterfly. 
Students made a lady bug book and added dots to the front cover.  On the inside, we reviewed positional words and students placed their ladybug to match. 
"I'm beside the cricket."

Sorry I've been such a slacker.  I've got TONS of posts coming soon.  My camera is overflowing with photos.  Happy Weekend! ~Miss E