IRW: Toni Buzzeo

I am loving the new high speed internet we got installed at the school. It sure makes uploading these photos a snap. But as usual, I'm way behind on my blogging. I think the whole 'knitting a sweater' undertaking is cutting into my blog time. Island Readers and Writers came out a couple weeks ago with author Toni Buzzeo. It's Toni's second visit out to work with Frenchboro School. In fact, when we piloted the program years ago, it was Toni who was the first author guest. Toni has written many children's books and has a new one coming out very soon. We were lucky enough to get an advanced copy of it! A Lighthouse Christmas is the wonderful story of two children living with their father on a remote lighthouse station. The kids worry that Santa won't be able to find them because they're so far out in the ocean, but the Flying Santa Service has plans for them.
Toni gave us her background and read to us. We love being read to, that's for sure!
We also shared our LIGHTHOUSE acrostic poems that we made in honor of Toni's visit.
Then came our favorite part: getting our signed copies! This was Tyler's first IRW visit. I don't know if he knew exactly why this strange woman was giving him books, but he'll catch on.
Seth was all smiles for his signed copy.
Are you spelling my name correctly? That's "Johnny" with two N's.
Toni also read us another of her wonderful books before it was time for her to catch the boat. Thanks to IRW for another great visit!

Robin and Edie visit

It's funny how you meet people. Sometimes the stories are mundane and other times they stand out and become part of the story of your friendship. I met Robin at the Detroit airport just after flying back from India. It was Sept. 2001 and the towers had just fallen. I had to cancel my extended stay to return to the U. S. early. Robin was returning from Thailand. Some clerk was giving him a hard time and I was watching the 'discussion' between them. When Robin turned, he saw me watching and just broke into this large grin and began to chuckle. It was a relief to see someone smiling. He sat down next to me, laughing, and thus began a ten year friendship that has spanned all the ups and downs of movement, marriage, children, etc. that have happened to us. He's been meaning to come out to Frenchboro School since Mr. Finn and I arrived, and finally had the chance to bring his daughter, Edie, out as well. As per usual guest ordinance, we asked if he'd be willing to teach something. He decided upon a found object sculpture class as he does a lot of wonderful pieces like the one above, named "Teacher".
He started us off with a myriad of objects that he brought along with him, asking everyone to choose just one object to start. Edie is the one in the red sweater.
It was hard to choose just one as there were some great pieces of wood and tiny toys. After their first go, they could choose two objects...so they eagerly went back to pick the ones they had had to pass up on the first chance.
Seth was full of ideas about how his sculpture would look.
Robin explained the process, and told them that we'd be going out to look for a "base" for our sculpture...some sort of driftwood piece washed up on the beach. We knew this would not be a problem as you could build an entire house with all the driftwood logs on Big Beach alone.

Dylan's Soccer Game

Yup, we are those annoying kinds of teachers that show up at former students' games and cheer obnoxiously. Dylan just happened to be playing a soccer game after our inservice on the mainland, so we couldn't pass up the chance to watch him.
He was very obliging of us and even waved and came to visit after the game was over.
It's always so rewarding to see your students turn into great adults...he's well on his way!

Heard Around the Schoolhouse

Tyler: Ms. Finn. Wanna know what my favorite part of school is?
Me: Gym?
Tyler: No. Recess. Wanna know what my other favorite part is...inside school?
Me: Hmmmm.
Tyler: I'll give you a hint. It starts with the "buh" sound.
Me: Uhhhhh.
Tyler: Ms Finn. "Bunny" starts with a "buh" sound.
Me: Is it bunny?
Tyler: Yeah.

"I'm tickling the buoy!" -Seth

"When my gerbil had its babies, we walked in and looked in the cage and we thought it was a pile of peanuts." -Saylor

"I always like to put my cold feet on my mom....then she freaks." -Johnny

"Aren't I supposed to be wearing a mask?!" -Seth (when asked to be catcher)

Mr. Finn: We've got practice tomorrow, too.
Bradley: YEAH! I love it! (on Lego Robotics practice

(rubbing his belly) "When I'm older, this is gonna fit me juuuuuust right." Bradley

"It doesn't smell as bad as my dad's cowhide." -Brody

"When I got hit in the stomach with the soccer ball, it almost made me puke. Dang." -Seth

"Whoever people's names the storms are....when they get mad, the storm gets stronger! That really happens." -Tyler (on hurricane names)

"Look at the penguins. They're so cute. They don't know we're watching them. Because they have little brains." -Seth (when watching the penguin cam at California Academy of Sciences)

Inter-Island Event: Matinicus!

Inter-Island Event this year was held on Matinicus. You may have heard about the recent plane crashes, two in three months time, so our hearts and minds are with that small, special community. As I write this, the community members are grieving the loss of their pilot. We had such a wonderful time out on their island that we want to thank everyone for their hospitality and wonderful events, but also keep in mind their loss.

We were picked up on the Sunbeam last Wed. morning and taken all the way to Matinicus. This was extremely helpful and exciting for us to be able to travel on their comfortable boat. As you can see, Myron wasn't having any fun at all...

Neither was Austin.
When we arrived, it was time to set up tent village.
Here's the terrific post office sign. Love it.
Then it was on to some cool classes like drumming (using bait buckets! We have a FEW of those on our island, too.)
Seth and his dad were really getting down. I was amazed at the sounds coming out of these guys.

There was also mural painting. For real...the kids got to paint on the walls! Austin, true to Frenchboro boy fashion, drew...you guessed it: a boat. Looks a little stormy!
We had a ton of fun playing Capture the Flag, a bit IIE staple. The talent show was full of hysterical, and sometimes moving, performances. And all too soon, it was time to head out. Seth is relaxing in the final circle.
Mike and Becky taking photos and listening to the kids share.


Getting comfy for the long trip home. Thanks, Matinicus! What a great trip!

Hoppers

Introducing our newest addition: Hoppers! I got her at the Common Ground Fair. She's an angora rabbit, which is why I got her as I am a spinner. The kids came up with a million names: Fluffy, Ms. Cutie, Dinorex, Spike, Shredder, Mia, Bun Bun... They voted and Hoppers was the overwhelming winner with 5 out of 11 kids choosing it.

She is the sweetest, softest, most adorable bunny ever. We love her!

Autumn Art

We did a little review over warm and cool colors before starting our autumn art project. The kids had to choose several objects to draw, then trace with sharpie markers.

Then we got our our favorite pastels and went to work.
Don't you love Jayde's eggplant?
We didn't finish up, so we'll have to do the rest this week, but they're looking great so far!