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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Amazing (6th Grade) Race!

Three weeks ago today, I was sitting in the sun with a group of students and chaperones watching the Parade of the Wagons.  It was the middle of our Experiential Learning Week, a week set aside for learning outside the confines of the classroom walls.  ELW is one of the highlights of the school year, as students try new things and explore new places as a class.  So much has happened since ELW that I haven't had time to share about the week!

The sixth grade theme for the week was "Amazing Race," based on the popular television show, in which contestants complete challenges in various locations around the world.

Monday:  The first event of the week was international cooking with four women from the BFA community who are from or have lived in other countries.  Students "flew" to Armenia, Morocco, Pakistan, and Japan to cook different dishes native to those countries.  Of course, the best part was tasting the cuisine!


In the afternoon, they had a presentation about translating the Bible and even got to try their hands at translating or transcribing Greek!  To end the day, their passports went "missing," so they had to complete a CSI lab to find the culprit. 


Tuesday:  The students learned some invaluable outdoor skills, including identifying plants, constructing a shelter out of limited materials, and building a fire.  They also completed a belayed tree climb and a rope climb (pictured below), which were probably their favorite experiences of the week!


On Tuesday afternoon, we headed over to the nearby elementary school (where I used to teach) to perform a skit about butterflies and read with the younger students.  It was fun to be in the second, third, and fourth grade classrooms!


Wednesday:  We explored the Ecomusee d'Alsace, a living museum about life in the Alsace region of France - similar to Colonial Williamsburg, but on a smaller scale.



 Friday:  I missed Friday's activities because I was in Chicago with my family, but thankfully these pictures capture the fun of my students' adventures.  They returned to the Alsace region on Friday for a field trip to the Electropolis museum.  One lucky student had her hair stand on end from the static electricity!  The students had time to play outside and eat a picnic lunch before returning to Germany.



In the afternoon, the class visited the nearby recording studio (where I took the elementary chapel band last year) to learn about microphones and audio editing.  They even got to record clapping that will go onto a real track to be released soon!


Finally, the group visited a nearby BFA dorm where one of the 6th graders lives.  His parents (the dorm parents at this dorm) led the kids in some indoor games, one of which is pictured below.


Phew!  It took a lot of planning to coordinate drivers, budget money, print Amazing Race clue cards, and organize the activities.  With everyone's help, it was a great week - to God be the glory!

Monday, May 20, 2013

We've Got Spirit - Yes, We Do!

Last week was spirit week at BFA Middle School!  I missed Multiples Monday, as I was still traveling back from my weekend in Chicago, but here are some snapshots from the rest of the week!  (Photo credit: Rachel Bertschi)

Tuesday: International Day
Representing a country which we do not call "home"...


Wednesday: Retro Day
Sporting the retro BFA Falcons basketball uniforms!


Thursday: Pajama Day
The most comfy of the spirit days!


Friday: Game Day 
We were all characters from the Guess Who? game, and the kids got to play life-size Guess Who? during lunch!




Friday, May 17, 2013

Honoring Our Moms!

This week, my English 6 class hosted a Mother's Day Poetry Cafe to honor our moms and share original poetry compositions.  The students served their moms poppyseed muffins, cream puffs, and juice to enjoy during the poetry reading time.  What a beautiful morning of celebration and love!  We're thankful for you, moms!




Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wonderful Whirlwind Weekend!

I flew across the ocean to the United States for the weekend.  Yes, for the weekend!  Am I crazy?  Maybe... but it was worth it!

It was wonderful to have time together as a family this past weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation from Wheaton College and to honor my mom on Mother's Day.  From meeting my brother's awesome friends (shout-out to the Phileo house and your fan club of friends!) to walking the streets of Chicago, it was a special time together.  My brother is now beginning an African adventure in a remote village in Kenya.  I'm so excited for him as he gets to use some of what he's learned as an engineering major to work on a water systems project!


(Added bonus: Francis Chan was the graduation speaker!)


I also took advantage of my time in Wheaton to visit the nearby TeachBeyond Office.  I'm so grateful for this staff of people who serve many TeachBeyond members around the world by managing our finances, planning events, and working hard for the future of the organization.  Thanks for all you do, USA Office Team!


Although it was strange to only be in America for a short time, I'm excited to return for about two months this summer.  I look forward to seeing many of you then!