Fun with Literacy

Last Thursday was Literacy Day at LJPS (Liza Jackson Prep) and we definitely had a good time with it. The PreK - 5th graders get to dressup as their favorite book characters. Sam's class and the other PreK class all dressed as the 101 Dalmations. My 7th graders painted the dots on all 36 shirts the week before the event. I actually had clotheslines strung across all four sides of my classroom ceiling with little polka dotted shirts hanging to dry. You wouldn't think my very cool middle schoolers would be into painting shirts for 4 year olds but they were. We were in the midst of writing research papers and those who finished early got to paint so it was THE thing to do. By Thursday, all the shirts were painted and dried and delivered to the PreK teachers. My students were able to attend a workshop with a local author which was awesome. We then buddied up with the 2nd grade kiddos for a Mad Libs and story telling activity that ended up being a blast. The culminating event of the day is always the Literacy Parade. All the little ones parade through and around the school in their costumes and the big kids (6th - 8th grade) line the sidewalks and hallways to cheer them on and clap. Duane came to watch the parade and take pics. Sam and her little dalmation buddies were the first group and my super cool 7th graders were beside themselves with excitement to see their "work."

Kaitlyn dressed as Fern from Charlotte's Web which she is currently reading over the phone with my mom. The best part about the parade for the teachers watching it is seeing our "too cool for anyone" preteens out there high fiving all the little kids and cheering them on. They know my 2 girls very well so they shower them with attention which Kaiti and Sam eat right up. I am beginning to think all schools should be PreK - 8th grade - you really see a different side of your students when they are with the little ones. All in all, it was a great day with a lot of good laughs. One of those crazy, chaotic days that remind you why you decided to teach.