IST's 50th Birthday Celebration

Today IST turned 50 and we celebrated the best way possible.... by hosting International Day and eating cake! Here are some photos from the fun-filled event!

Tanzania Booth

Two of our students enjoying the England booth

Sitting on ice in Sweden

Mr. Alton playing a Japanese game similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey

My friend Gillian and her son from secondary school

Two of my students from last year!

The Grade 3 Team

Parade of Nations

South Africa in the Parade of Nations

Tanzania in the Parade of Nations

 

Intrenational Day 2012!

Better late than never right? International Day was so fantastic this year. Bright and early, the kids were all dressed up and pumped up for the parade. The kids waved flags, sang songs and cheered their country on while parading in front of the parents and flashing camera lights. We were ushered into the covered court for the assembly to begin. It was a fun filled event full of music and dancing. I was so surprised that 5 of my students were in performances and I didn't even know it. What a bunch of "risk-takers" I have in my class.

After the assembly we went back to class to wait for our turn to go out to the booths. We turned on the Smartboard, searched for some world maps on the internet and did some work on world geography. The kids did really well with their map skills. By the time we were finished, we were ready to go visit the booths. The parents did such a wonderful job of setting everything up and organizing fun food and events to teach the kids about different countries. There were so many highlights including the ice block bath, the origami sumo wrestlers, and the election for king of the jungle! Thank you so much parents for organizing such a wonderful event!

 

What's In a Name?

Today was International Day and I am exhausted!!! I can't even tell that I only taught two periods today. (Yes you heard correctly, only two periods.) The morning was great. I loved participating in the parade. I was fully decked out in U.S.A. gear, with denim jeans, an I Heart U.S.A. t-shirt, ponytail, red white and blue nails, and jewelry too! Pictures from the day will come later.

Sitting and reflecting on the day (or finding anything I can do to avoid writing reports) made me realize that I had not posted the homework I adapted this week. I wanted to share it with everyone so that you can use it as you wish. It would not only be a great activity for International Day, but also for the start of the year too. The assignment was to discuss with their parents where their name came from. The kids were really excited to complete this assignment. Many students learned lots of new information this week.

I can remember way back when I was a child the first moment I heard about where I was named from. It was interesting because I was given such a unique name. My mom named me after a woman who was a second mother to her growing up. This neighbor died in child-birth and my mom wanted to honor her by naming her first born daughter in her memory. We are still very close to the family and her daughters are just like my real and true Aunties. I dedicate this post to anyone who has been lost by their families and friends at too early an age, including my wonderful Aunt Frannie.

P.S. I am so glad I was a girl because if I was a boy my parents were going to name me Jeb.... yikes. No offense, but Rorey fits much better.

 

International Day at IST

Friday we celebrated International Day at IST. It was a wonderful event and the highlight of the year so far for whole school events. The parents really pulled off an A+ event and I want to thank each and every one of them... especially the parents in my room!

The day kicked off with a little bit of rain, but that didn't stop us from parading around the school. The kids lined up with their families at the country that the were represented and waited for the parade to begin. I was lucky because I had Tanzania (the country for which I dressed up supporting) and the US (my home country) right next to each other. Here is a photo of the Tanzanian group waiting to walk.

 I found some teaching friends from the US right next to me. Here is our grade 3 team leader, Ms. McKillip! She loved my Portland shirt, because she is also from Portland, Oregon... small world, huh?

 As each country walked through the school and down toward the field, each group got their picture taken. Here is a photo of the Tanzanian group.

 Waiting for us on the field as we walked to the assembly were some local Tanzanian dancers and musicians. What a great way to start an event!

 The US group was large and loud. The chants of USA could be heard across the field. Everyone was wearing their red, white and blue, and families came with huge American flags.

 When we got to the covered court, the children were chanting, waving flags and having a great time. The event was festive and joyous. It was so nice to see everyone dressed up representing their country.

 Once the assembly was over, classrooms went back to their rooms and waited until it was their turn to go back out onto the field and look at all of the tents. Each continent had a different area of the field and the students got to go out and play games, do crafts, learn facts, taste food and experience different cultures.

Treats and Facts at Mexico

Jump Rope at Canada

Treats at the United States of America

Origami Tops at Japan

Games in Asia

Treats in Africa

Travis and Evan with Travis's mom learning about South Africa

Learning about Spices from Zanzibar

Fresh Coconut from Tanzania

Soap made from plants at the Zanzibar presentation

3R posing in front of the Tanzanian animals

Painting at Europe

Answering questions and getting treats from Europe

Meet bobbing for apples with a little help from Tim

Miss Irene and Miss Rorey dressed to represent Tanzania! Thanks to Miss Irene for the wonderful outfits.