The Gift

From Ms. Plank:

Thanks for an awesome third grade year!

Last Day of Third Grade!

Ripping off the last link

 

In front of Greenbrier

For the second year, Abby has asked to host a last-day-of-school party. The weather did not cooperate, but we still had fun:

The girls trudging up to our house in the rain

Ice Cream Shop

Lemonade Stand

Playing with water balloons during a break in the rain

Froggy Market

The third graders studied supply and demand this year as part of their continuing economics unit.  (They started with wants and needs in first grade).  Throughout the year, they have been able to earn froggy dollars through attendance and good behavior.  They also have to pay a monthly rent on their desks and are fined for poor choices.  The culmination of this unit was a "froggy market" in which each student and a partner had to set up a store and offer goods or services for sale.  They were encouraged to adjust prices up and down based on the demand for their goods.  One partner was allowed to shop while the other manned the booth.  A few pics:

Abby and Emmelia's store "Pakowski's"

Teacher name bracelets

Ms. Hof shops at Abby's store

Abby considers the merits of a necklace at Kyla's store

School has been out for a week, but I still have more end-of-school wrap-up to post -- it was a busy last week!!!

Stepping Up

Benji's class had its official stepping up ceremony last week.  It was short but sweet:

Singing "S-H-E-M-E-S-H" to the tune of BINGO (sort of)

Benji gets his portfolio

And wants to look through it right away

Abby does, too

Benji with his teachers Ellen and Steve

Up a tree with friends

Froggy Store

Abby's teacher, Mrs. Plank, asked if I would come in the very last (half) day of school to run one last froggy store.  The kids had earned a lot of money at their "froggy market" (pictures of that later this week) and were itching to spend it.  Benji helped me set-up and help the kids shop:

Lots to choose from

Benji was very proud of himself for helping

Abby doing her own shopping

School Birthday #4

Abby likes to celebrate her summer birthday with her school friends each year.  This year, we waited until the very last full day and brought brownies in to celebrate:

Abby had her arm around Benji while her friends sang to her

Benji helping to pass out napkins

More end-of-school wrap-up tomorrow!

UVA Baseball

UVA is hosting a superregional baseball tournament; winner goes to Omaha for the college World Series.  We decided to bring the kids out for the three day tournament against Mississipi State. 

Day one (VERY sunny, kids only lasted two innings):

And UVA lost 11-6.

Day two, pouring rain, game postponed until today (UVA already down 5-3):

The few minutes of calm before the rain

Benji improvising a rain cushion for an umbrella

Not a great start, but hope springs eternal.  Go hoos go!