Thankful For My School And Shape Michigan!

This Thanksgiving, when my family took turns going around the table saying what we are thankful for, my answer was 1) my family and 2) a job that I LOVE!  I remember when I was in college at Grand Valley State University, one of my Movement Science professors said his favorite day of the week is Monday because he loves coming to work so much.   I remember thinking he must be stretching the truth...........who doesn't love Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays the most?  But he was sincere!  I do enjoy my weekends, but I am truly thankful for a job that I love coming to!  I am so blessed to be able to teach almost 700 students each week, and have the space and equipment I need.

Speaking of equipment, I am also thankful for SHAPE - Michigan, who fulfilled a $500 grant I wrote last spring!  I have been using the new equipment on a daily basis for a variety of activities.  The grant I wrote was for "Color My Class" equipment, and also two "Cone Qwik Netz".  This year I started organizing my class by rainbow colors, and it has been great!  The equipment I ordered is all in rainbow sets, so this helps the students stay organized, and also teaches colors to our youngest students.  See the pictures below of just SOME of the new things!

I love these cones I bought with my grant money.  They hold signs on the top!

2nd graders playing tennis with our new nets from SHAPE - Michigan!

2nd graders playing tennis with our new nets from SHAPE - Michigan!

I came up with a new game called "Color Collection Relay".  We used lots of our new equipment from SHAPE - Michigan!

Color Collection Relay Set up.  Each rainbow team had to take turns collecting objects of their color and put it in their hula hoop.  The last few minutes, they worked as a team and played with the items they collected.

After the relay they played with their team and the things they collected!

After the relay they played with their team and the things they collected!

After the relay they played with their team and the things they collected!

After the relay they played with their team and the things they collected!

After the relay they played with their team and the things they collected!

Students playing "Thankful Tag" the day before Thanksgiving break.  Players who were tagged had to sit down.  Someone helped them by sharing what they are thankful for.

Students playing "Thankful Tag" the day before Thanksgiving break.  Players who were tagged had to sit down.  Someone helped them by sharing what they are thankful for.

Students playing "Thankful Tag" the day before Thanksgiving break.  Players who were tagged had to sit down.  Someone helped them by sharing what they are thankful for.

Thankful for our Watchdog program and the fathers who come in to volunteer!  This Watchdog is doing the V-Sit during our Daily Dozen Warm-Up!

Check out our November Daily Dozen!  Next is a video of my "Thanksgiving Dinner Relay".