Hablamos Espanol!

Spanish class is so much fun!

As you can see, we've been learning some new dance moves.

Cha, cha, cha, and Mexican Hat Dance!

Senora Tanner teaching us how to say our names.

Me llamo. . .

Thank you, Senora Tanner, for teaching us this year!

HaPpY BirThDaY!

Today at school, we had the privilege of helping to celebrate this sweet girl's birthday!

Happy birthday, to you.

Happy birthday, to you.

Happy birthday, God bless you.

Happy birthday, to you.

Her sweet mommy came with treats and a book for the class! I'm not sure what the boys and girls enjoyed more.

Happy birthday!

Olympic Day, 2011.

No question, one of my most favorite things we do at the Heiskell School is Olympic Day. I remember my very first one, just 6 years ago, just watching in amazement, the parade of nations, opening ceremonies, and walking my third graders around to every event. How fun for me to experience Olympic Day on the other side as a spectator with my pre-kindergarten class. While the pressure is not as intense, the excitement surely is there!

Here we are all lined up ready for the torch run and parade of nations.

Each year an 8th grader is chosen to be the torch runner for Olympic Day, what an honor!

After the torch run is the parade of nations, where each of the boys and girls lines up with their country to parade around the field and walk to the track to begin the games.

Coach leading the pack, "Let the games begin!"

We began by watching this year's third graders compete in the water balloon toss, what fun!

What a sweet picture of these girls in my class. They loved being outside with their friends.

Another sweet picture of some cute classmates.

Here are some 2nd graders competing in the sack race.

We ended our afternoon at the sponge relay. Trust me, it was very tempting to grab a sponge a douse the children, but I refrained!

Happy Olympic Day!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from my family to yours!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

Luke 24:1-7

Trees at Heiskell

Last Friday was a busy day at our school. We hosted the Atlanta Opera, and two of our beautiful trees came down with the help of a giant crane. The students were in awe of the large machines and all of the men helping to take the tree down.

This particular tree was planted over 40 years ago by Mr. Reynolds, the grandfather of one of our classmates and the husband of the infamous Miss Pat!

We had a bird's eye view, as the tree stood just outside of our classroom window.

Needless to say, the children were glued. What a neat thing for them to be able to experience!

This was the largest part of the trunk that came off. I love how the flag is waving in the background.

Another shot of the children excitedly watching the action from our window.

According to Miss Cyndie, this type of tree originates in the northern part of our country and is not acclimated to the hot weather of the south. In fact, it lasted much longer than anyone thought it would. What a treat for our boys and girls to hear a piece of history from our school and to be able to witness firsthand it changing.

The Pirates of Penzance

Last Friday, the children at The Heiskell School were in for quite a treat. The Atlanta Opera came to our school to perform, with the help of some very special students, The Pirates of Penzance. It was amazing!

You'll notice in the background some pretty fine looking pirates!

The students even participated in singing the choruses of many of the songs.

The cast from the Atlanta Opera always does a wonderful job when they come to our school.

This is the first year I remember students participating in the songs, and it is such a nice addition to the performance.

I'm fairly certain all who came were entertained! Be on the look out for performances by The Atlanta Opera this summer at Cobb Galleria. This might be a nice outing for your family!

HaPpY BirThDaY!

Just before spring break, we celebrated this pretty girl's birthday. She even got some help from her little brother passing out her treats!

Happy birthday, to you!

Happy birthday, to you!

Happy birthday, God bless you!

Happy birthday, to you!

How does your garden grow?

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

And pretty maids all in a row.

Last week at school, all pre-kindergartners gathered together on the playground to discuss science and life and how things grow.

Our fearless leader, Miss Judy, explained to the students what we would be doing for our science project this school year. Growing lettuce! Each student was able to plant a strip of lettuce seeds and water it. Now, we just get to watch it grow!

Here is one student placing his lettuce seeds into the planter and covering it with soil.

He looks like a serious gardener, don't you think?!

Watering the seeds so they will grow.

"So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth."

1 Corinthians 3:7

Date with Daddy Slideshow

Check out this slideshow Miss Cyndie created using pictures she took from our date with daddy. What a special and fun day it was for the children and their daddies!

Who's your daddy?

Wednesday, pre-kindergartners throughout the Heiskell School will be hosting some special guests for the morning, and we couldn't be more excited about it. In fact, one little girl said to me this morning, "Miss Heather, is today the day we get to see our daddies?" See what I mean. As you daddies anxiously await your induction into pre-kindergarten, please allow me to give you a hint as to what we've been working on in our class. Now, I must warn you, little people tend to tell all. Read for yourself some things your pre-kindergartners are saying about you:

• At home, my momma calls my daddy to help clean up stuff.
• My daddy has a circle of hair.
• My daddy likes to eat everything!
• My favorite thing to do with my daddy is to go shopping.
• At work, my daddy gets money so we can go places and buy stuff.
• My daddy is as tall as Mommy, but not too big.
• My daddy goes to meetings and talks on the phone.
• At home, my daddy unloads the dishwasher sometimes.
• Well, he has a beard on his face and blue eyes.
• At home, my daddy mops the floor.
• Well, he looks like me, and his ears are kind of big.
• My daddy's rule is no punching.
• I like to play with my daddy.

Okay, Daddies, we are getting ready for you, so I hope you are preparing for your special visit to our classroom on Wednesday. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at 9:00 AM. You are in for a treat!

Recipe for a volcano.

1 part salt

1 part hot water

3 parts flour

baking soda and vinegar

Make dough and build a volcano up around a glass jar or small plastic cup. Let dry 1-3 days. To "erupt" the volcano, put about 3/4 cup of baking soda inside the volcano and pour on the vinegar. Then do it again and again and again!

P.S. It really helps if you have some little hands to flatten the dough!

A sneak peek.

The pre-kindergartners in Miss Heather 's class have been working hard before and after spring break. Here's sneak peek of what we've been up to.

We've been painting palm trees, grass, and

volcanoes!

First, we read about, then drew, and colored the Queen of Hearts.

We learned about the many presidents of our great nation, past and present. We drew pictures of and colored two famous presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

We also read about the three little kittens, who lost and found their mittens.

Whew, we've been busy!

A hole in one!

Well, maybe not a hole in one, but it sure is a wonderful opportunity to try! Even better is the chance to give back to the next generation through funds raised at the event. Check this out.

A pre-kindergarten Valentine's Day!

Today, at Heiskell, we celebrated Valentine's Day in our classrooms. In Miss Heather's pre-k class, we began our time with a fun craft. The children decorated angels with hearts on them. While they worked, we played praise and worship music in the background. After crafts, we had some yummy Valentine treats, all heart-shaped. While the children ate their snacks, I read a book to them. Our party ended with some Valentine bingo. The children had so much fun; just see for yourself!