The end is near...

Wow... 3 days left! As the year winds down, I find myself wondering how these past few months have flown by so quickly! Soon, I'll be sending my 1st graders off to 2nd grade and I must admit, the thought bums me out. This group of 1st graders has grown so much this year. Their enthusiasm and interest in learning has blossomed greatly since last August. I've watched them mature and gain confidence both socially and academically, especially with reading and writing. I truly believe that the incorporation of technology into my curriculum has played a major role in that development. The projects that we have done have fostered their creative mind and enabled them to work collaboratively with others, which are both important 21st Century learning skills.
So... as I keep thinking of this group, and all they've accomplished this year, it makes me wish I could follow them to 2nd grade... and continue building upon what they already know and are able to do. Unfortunately, they will not have these same opportunities next year. However, that isn't an option... so I can only sadly send off my 1st graders and look forward to my next group coming, and all that they will accomplish throughout the next school year.
Stay tuned...as I will be posting a very special video that my students and I have been working on. :)
And here it is...

WOW! We're the site of the month!

As I was editing my classroom wikispace the other night, I came across something quite awesome...
B-7BOBCATS was named the May 2009 Class Site of the Month by the Busy Teacher's Cafe! I was floored! How cool is that??? I couldn't wait to show my students! As stated on their website, "Every month, Busy Teacher's Cafe recognizes a class website for excellence in creativeness and innovation. There are many wonderful websites created by hard-working, dedicated teachers and their students. I created the Busy Teacher's Cafe Award for Excellence to recognize these innovative teachers and their class websites. Please visit their site to see the excellent jobs they have done."
Thanks Busy Teacher's Cafe for this awesome honor!