Our fifth graders enthusiastically enJOYed a great experience this morning…open mic day. As they rotated through various classes, their stop in Mrs. Bly’s room honored their creative, dramatic, and productive side. Students composed and performed original poetic selections individually or in small groups. The coffee house atmosphere and leisure ambiance provided a soothing setting for sharing in a risk-free learning environment. Learners received positive praise and accolades for clever personal selections while sipping on cocoa and “chillin’ to the vibe” (as one learner shared). The whole idea was to celebrate National Poetry Month in unique fashion and the theme was “keep calm and get your poetry on…” We are truly blessed with creative, sensitive, and thoughtful writers (as well as performers!). Great job, 5th grade! 🙂
poetry
Spring has sprung!
While the temperature and the wind gusts today would argue otherwise, a group of talented young writers all agree that spring is in the air at LME! This 
picture of bluebonnets was sent to me along with this little poem today:
Spring has sprung and the days are longer now
We get to play outside past supper and this is really WOW!
Bluebonnets in Texas are the state flower you know
We have a field of many and we love to watch them grow!
So get outside Mrs. Van and play with the Rowdy Runners
Spring is the BEST time because it makes everything much funner! 🙂
Thanks to my special poetry friends for allowing me the opportunity to share their inspiration today. I’m headed outside if the wind doesn’t blow me away first…here’s hoping you get some springy action of your own today!
Poetry and Pirates…oh my!
ARRGGGHHH, mateys, indeed! Pirates took over the school in search of treasured jewels this morning as second grade friends held a mutiny on the sailing vessel and used their trusty GPS devices with coordinates to locate the treasure. The results…a treasure chest filled to capacity was located inside Captain Van’s cabin. What was I doing with everyone’s treasure? How did it really get there? Why do I always take the rap? All was forgiven and I enjoyed a few moments of craft time as we took the treasured beads and made jewelry in second grade classes this afternoon. I’m sporting my new necklace too! 🙂
Our third grade friends invited me to their annual Poetry 
Cafe to share in poetry readings with poems created in a variety of formats: Acrostic, Cinquain, Color, Concrete, Five Senses, Haiku, and Creature Alliteration. Poets invited parents, grandparents, friends, and other students to experience the joy of writing personal poetry for expression and fun. As one poet, Chase, noted: “I needed to make my grandparents’ day…I know I did!” 🙂
Finally, as is our weekly tradition, our Miller Team Rally this morning featured our fifth grade friend, Matthew, sharing the poem “1492” with our entire campus. His expressive version brought the story of Columbus’ voyage to life! Way to go, Matthew! 🙂
Congratulations to our MVPs last week: Maddie (3rd grader), Seth (1st grader), and this week: Sawyer (Kinder). Thanks for being most valuable players on our Miller Team this school year!
EnJOY a great fall weekend, a school day off on Monday (with your State Fair ticket), and we’ll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning!
Van Am Gram 