The International Pancake Race
Each year our early childhood students participate in this fun event. It is based on the actual pancake race that takes place between Olney, England, and Liberal, Kansas, each year on Shrove Tuesday. In order to make sure that all students get to participate, we will hold our event on Monday, February 16, and Tuesday, February 17. Your child will need to bring a bandana from home for our race. I will provide the pancakes, pans, and aprons.
Chinese New Year Parade
Physical Education classes will celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 18th and 19th. This is the year of the sheep/goat. We will talk about this event in class and celebrate with a parade; complete with a paper dragon, lanterns, noise makers, and music. Children are invited to wear traditional Chinese clothing or anything that is the color red, which is a lucky color in China. At the end of our parade I will send a red envelope home with each child. This envelope is a tradition in China. Parents usually put money inside the envelope. I will put a fortune cookie, two lucky pennies (even numbers are considered lucky), and a hug coupon, which I hope your child will redeem with you.
The Iditarod
Since my trip to Alaska last summer, I've been anxious to study the Iditarod dog sled race with students in Physical Education. I have done this before and it is quite fun. We talk about the Iditarod ahead of time, watch a brief video, and read a short book. I set up a course in the gym and students act as the musher and the dogs. A floor scooter is the sled. The students have a great time. This year classes will choose mushers from the actual Iditarod race and we will keep track of how they are doing. We will hold our event in PE classes during the week of March 2-6. The real Iditarod begins with the ceremonial start (parade) on Saturday, March 7, in Anchorage, Alaska. The competition begins on Monday, March 9, in Fairbanks, Alaska. (This is a change from the original date and venue.) Students will not need anything special for this activity.
The Dr. Seuss Fun Run
On Friday, March 6, morning students will celebrate the end of Dr. Seuss Week with a Dr. Seuss Fun Run. In many past years, we have held this event on the track, but cold weather over the past few years has caused us to move the event indoors. This year we are simply planning to have it in the south gym. During this event, the "Cat in the Hat" comes to school and leads the children on a run. The clock is set for a certain number of minutes and everyone runs until the buzzer goes off. The children love running with the Cat in the Hat. In the end, the Cat poses for pictures with each class. Students will not need anything special for this event other than tennis shoes.
Read and Romp Day
Read and Romp Day will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015. This is a collaborative effort between the library and the physical education department. Children come to the gymnasiums where they rotate through ten different stations that are manned by volunteers. At each station, children are read a book and do a brief physical activity that corresponds to the story. A snack is also served during the rotation. This event is held in the morning and afternoon so that all students may enjoy the books and activities. Parents are welcome to help with the event (please contact me ahead of time) or just come and rotate through the different stations with your child. Everyone enjoys this exciting activity.
