Bigelow Labs Visit

 It was our last visit of the year from Bigelow Labs.  Ben Twining was back from his huge scientific voyage.  He updated the students on his trip and showed some of the equipment that the scientists used aboard their large lab at sea.

 Then it was off to gather some data of our own.

 We gathered water samples.

 Then we used the phytoplankton nets to gather some phyto and zooplankton samples to look at under the microscopes.

 Back to the classroom to check out our samples.

 We found all sorts of cool organisms.  Microscopes are such marvelous instruments.

 Nieces and nephews joined right in.

 Some old partnerships...

 and some new ones.

 Silly girls.

 At the end of the day, the kids gathered around to do a lesson on PH.  Our old pal, Jochen had cooked up a batch of red cabbage to use for the testing.  The kids had to smell it of course.

I think Seth might have thought is was going to blow, as he hid behind Cadin during the pouring of the vinegar, perhaps because of Ursula's baking soda/vinegar volcano that she demonstrated earlier this year?  A great time was had by all.  We are such science buffs out here!  Big thanks to Ben and Bigelow for coming all the way out to our tiny island.

Woods Capture the Flag

 Just a few highlights of our last Woods Capture the Flag.  It was great fun to have some extra kids along!  They fit in with Frenchboro School right away. 

"Good game.  Good game. Good game..."

Sisters in the House!

 Mr. Finn's three sisters and their kids going through the greeting line.  Here's Amy, in the pink.

 Another sister, Beth, meeting Tyler.

 Soon to be partners in crime, Tyler and Max.  So nice to have someone your size around.

 We always have guests do a lesson or two, and since Mr. Finn's sisters are all educators, that wasn't difficult.  Kelly did a lesson on palindromes.  Everyone's laughing because Max was the period at the end of the sentence.

 Amy recently moved to Fargo, ND, so she taught a lesson on the American bison.

 Tyler and Max hitting it off in a very cute way.

 Then Beth did a lesson on food and cultures of the world, as well as some background about economics using Hungry Planet posters.  It was very eye-opening!

After the sisters were done, Mr. Finn's nieces Rois and Samantha taught everyone to do those four square fortune tellers and we had a blast going around and asking everyone to pick a color.  Thanks to the extended Finn family for their great lessons!

Going Away Party

 The morning after the performance we came to the front door and Brody was out there, acting suspicious.  We saw Bo's car and tried the door but Brody said, "It's locked.  I don't know why."  Yeah, right.  We entered the classroom and Bo was at the piano playing quietly.  There were signs and decorations everywhere and the kids started jumping out of their hiding spots, shouting, "Surprise!  Party time!" 

There were home made signs like this plastered all over the place, and great long paper chains hanging from the ceiling.  The chairs were organized in a circle and there were plates of treats on the table.  The kids had all hatched this plan months ago, apparently.  Myron said to me, very seriously, "Ms. Finn I barely slept a wink last night because I was so worried I'd oversleep."  They all got up extra early to come down to the school and had roped Bo into opening the door for them.  SO CUTE!  It was incredibly touching.  In fact, as I sit here in the empty school finishing up with cleaning and organizing I keep wiping the tears from my eyes.  When we sat in the circle I suggested that we go around and say things that we'll remember about our four years together...our favorite times.  It was so cool to hear all the things that they enjoyed over the years.  I told them what a special group of young people they are and that it was my privilege to teach them.  I told them how proud I was of all they have accomplished.  I told them I'd never forget them and would cherish my memories of them.  While I was talking, of course I had a few tears and then Tyler called out, "WELL!  Now you're makin' ME cry!" and Seth began to fan at his eyes which of course made me laugh.  One thing I also said to them that has really sunk in lately:  Not one day has been spent in the past four years that didn't have laughter echoing in our schoolroom.  We sure did have some fun, didn't we kids?  Miss you already.

2012 Performance

 We had a pre-performance run through the afternoon of the big day.  The kids didn't seem at all nervous, a far cry from how they've been in past years.  They were having a great time practicing their dances.

 Then Bo and Graham bestowed us with their beautiful gifts and played for us.  They are such marvelous musicians that it almost brings tears to the eyes.

 The kids kept challenging Bo to play for as long as he could on the oboe, and for Graham to play as fast as he could.  Kids.

 Then it was time for the actual performance.  Folks filed in and the kids got ready.

 They sang.  They danced. They played. They acted their little hearts out.  It was fantastic, as usual.  I was all teary-eyed since this is my last Week of Music!

 Mr. Finn's three sisters happened to have arrived on the afternoon boat so they were all in attendance as well.  Here's our nephew, Max, with his Uncle Doug.

And for the finale...You Are My Sunshine.  You're killing me here, kids!  I couldn't stop blubbering.  Thank goodness I was in the back row.  We were so proud of the kids and their teachers, Bo and Graham, for a very special musical night.  Cheers!