I Know What You're Doing This Summer...

With only seven more days of school left, many students are excitedly looking forward to summer holidays.  We will have almost nine weeks of vacation this year!  A lot of the time when asked what kids are going to do over the summer, many answers are "Nothing!"  Surely this is not the case.  Even if you are not going anywhere and just staying at home, you can use phrases such as "relaxing at home," or "enjoying the hot summer sun in my backyard."

I have not yet decided what I'm doing this summer yet.  My husband and I are planning a small trip to Toronto to watch the Blue Jays play baseball as well as to visit Niagara Falls.  We might also take a quick trip to Las Vegas.

I challenge my students to describe their summer plans using words and phrases that are interesting and thought-provoking.  Even if you are just planning on playing video games all day, then describe what the quest is in those video games.  Are you on the hunt for dragons in the Town of Elsengaard?  Maybe you are trying to strike out Josh Donaldson in Baseball 2016.

~The BIG HAM
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Track & Field Events

This year the Division 2 students in our school will get the privilege of competing in two track meets this year.  Usually, they only get to compete in one track meet at school.  We have been invited to compete with two other schools at Foote Field.  There are a number of events in which the students need to compete.

Many students (especially those in Grade 4) are excited to participate in these events.  Back in Division 1, their Sports Day was more child-oriented.  They have now graduated to actual track and field skills.

Events include both on the track (running) and on the field (not running).  Here is a list:

• 50 m dash
• 800 m
• slalom
• 80 m hurdles
• high jump
• running long jump
• standing long jump
• sitting ball throw (soccer ball)
• ball throw (softball)
• javelin
• shot put
• hammer throw

Clearly, students have their favourite events as well as events that they hate.  Some students have even surprised themselves with their abilities.

Hopefully, the weather cooperates for both of these track days.  Can't wait!

~The BIG HAM
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Talent Show Auditions

This morning there was an advertisement for the upcoming Talent Show which is being held on the afternoon of June 24.  Students have to audition by Friday, June 17 with an act that has the following guidelines:

1.  Acts must not be more than 90 seconds (1.5 minutes),
2.  Singers must sing a capella (no music) or to an instrumental version of the song, and
3.  Dancers must provide their own copy of music.

A poll of the students in Room 14 suggested that almost half of them would be auditioning for the show.  This response is great!  Let's see how many of them decide to actually audition next week.

What skills could be considered talents?  Certainly singing and dancing are talents.  How about acting, reciting poetry or telling jokes as a stand-up comedian?  Would performing magic tricks be a talent?

Another factor to consider when trying to decide if you want to audition or not is remembering that you are performing in front of 200 people.  If you're anything like me, standing up in front of that many people is pretty intimidating.  I would get extremely nervous and forget what I came up on stage to do.  Also, what if people don't like your act?  Is an audience allowed to boo?  Do you think performers notice a difference between polite applause and genuine applause?

There are so many factors to consider when trying to decide whether to audition.  What are your thoughts?

~The BIG HAM
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK