Pateros Happenings

Things that have been happening in Pateros since the the New Year:

1. I subbed for the 5th grade teacher for two days. He gave me free reign for one of the days, and I planned some lessons about VERMONT! They read a story about maple sugaring, I showed them a slideshow of Vermont pictures (including pictures of my pets), and then gave them an opportunity to research different topics about Vermont. Some of the things they looked up included Snowflake Bentley, Ben &Jerry's, and Champ. They were the most excited about Champ, and got really into searching the Interwebs for various sea  monsters. This gave me some nervousness because the internet scares me, but they had fun! And one group even started comparing Champ and the Lochness Monster. It was a fun-filled day of Vermont, but made me realize how quickly a day can go by, and how it is hard to finish everything you plan. I guess I knew that already, I just forgot for a minute. ALSO, at the end of the day we played a Vermont trivia/book scavenger hunt game, in which the competition got quite heated.

2. No snow. There is no snow. It has just been cloudy and dreary and sad. I was supposed to be helping with the ski program each Saturday this winter, but the mountain near us (Loup Loup) has not even opened yet. I did take a day trip to snowboard at mission ridge though. It was above the clouds and sunny and beautiful.

3. Tracy and I have been planning "Why Try" lessons for elementary health class based on different social principles and norms. We were both getting pretty frustrated with how the program is set up, and how we seem to be using it in an incorrect setting, BUT we are trying to have a better attitude about it and are working on adapting the lessons to work for each grade level. And coming up with fun games and activities for each lesson. Positive attitude. I think I can, I think I can…

4. We are also working on applying for a grant to help us add onto our school garden in the spring. I am very excited about this, and it should give us more to work on this summer as well once school is out. 

5. I worked at a crab dinner fundraiser for the school, and ate crab for the first time. I like it better than lobster (sorry Maine). I bonded with a few of the high schoolers who were helping at the event. They scare me, but I am trying. I am getting better I think. Baby steps.

6. This is not in Pateros…but on Monday we had a AmeriCorps group service project, and we worked on a Habitat for Humanity house. We mostly moved dirt around in the yard in the cold, but it felt like we had got something done after two hours, so that was good. The project went a lot more quickly than planned though. That afternoon, I went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I would highly recommend it. 5 stars, man. 5 stars… The scruffy look really works for Ben Stiller. 

7. Before school started on January 2nd and 3rd, I did a lot of knitting for the hat project in Wenatchee. Watch this link to find out more about that. Ignore the fact that Katie Couric cannot pronounce Wenatchee. 

Hat Project

I think that's all for now. I am trying to keep this short since I tend to ramble, and my last post was way too long. Kudos to anyone who read that whole thing. Phew.