End of Year Cottages - June, 2008

The kids end of the year cottages were a Science theme. This is the biggest project of the year for the kids and much time is spent on it. They work on it throughout the whole last quarter, and are so proud of their accomplishment.

Caleb's project was on the Desert Tortoise. His scientific question is How did the Desert Tortoise Outlive the Dinosaur? He wrote a whole report, with an opening paragraph, a 3 paragraph body, and a closing paragraph. I was quite impressed with what they accomplished as 3rd graders...and the process to get to the final draft. Along with this they had to make a board about his question, the procedure, and the results, as well as a model of their reptile, and attach the final report to the board.

And.........he had to do a presentation in class on his scientific question. Along with his model of the tortoise, we also brought Rexy and Minnie (our pet desert tortoises) in for the class to see. I think his presentation was the hit of the day.

So, the whole procedure for this was quite large, but he accomplished it, he memorized his whole presentation (which Miss O'Brien was very impressed with), and got a 100%! Great job Caleb!!!

Madelyn's Science project was Dinosaurs. Her subjects were the Pterodactyl, Apatasaurus, and T-Rex. Her question was "What kind of dinosaur pet would you like?" Madelyn's project, as a 2nd grader, is a little more low-key...not as much required. And she didn't have to present this year, which I was amazed because she had to last year as a 1st grader. I had her present to me in the classroom though, as I video taped her. She did a great job!

Madelyn also showed us some of other special projects she completed over the quarter. PopPop came to see both Science Fair presentations, and the kids really enjoyed him being there and were glad he came.I'm not quite sure why they save the biggest project for last...there's already so much to do in the last part of the school year. Maybe so we can have the summer to recooperate. I sure could use some R&R, and I know the kids are ready for it too.

Right now, no big plans to go anywhere this summer. It's only a 7 week summer anyway. We did have plans to go to Caleb's Las Vegas bball tourney in July, but it falls on the same week our kids are back in school. And for funding reasons, the kids need to be present on the first day of school or they can lose their place. I'm pretty bummed about it because I was excited to go visit Sheri and Trent. But I think I've come to terms now. Joseph and Caleb may be flying out for a quick tourney, then back again...still to be decided. We'll see, hopefully everything works out.