All Aboard the Polar Express!

The book The Polar Express came alive for our class on Friday! After reading the book, we got to watch the movie on the Interwrite board. We drank hot chocolate and wore our pajamas, just like the characters in the book and movie. After lunch, each student received a train ticket for The Polar Express "just in case" it ever appeared. Sure enough, within minutes, we heard a loud train whistle right outside our classroom! We all ran to the door to see the conductor (fifth grade teacher, Mr. Lindsey) calling us aboard The Polar Express (chairs lined up like a train in the hallway). The conductor hole punched our tickets and we boarded the train. The conductor then read the book to us once more as we enjoyed our ride on the Polar Express.

Below: Trinton enjoys the candy cane served with his hot chocolate.

Dominick enjoys a few marshmallows from his hot chocolate.

Ryan tries a sip of his yummy drink.


Carmen enjoys the hot cocoa.

Blake and Regan are having a lot of fun!

Zane takes a drink of hot chocolate as he watches The Polar Express on the Interwrite board.

The conductor punches Zane's ticket as he boards the train.

Kaden can't wait to board the train!

Trinton waits his turn.

Our class on board the Polar Express.

The Polar Express (We turned out the hallway lights so it would be "night time", just like in the book and movie.)

The conductor read the story to us as he walked up and down the train aisle.

Mitchell with the conductor in the background.

Christmas Party

Our Christmas party was on Thursday. Here are some pictures after the students opened their Christmas gifts from Mrs. Vibbert and Mrs. Morgan. They are sporting their new Santa hats and checking out their Christmas activity books that they received from us.

Christmas Around the World

Throughout the month of December, our class learned about a different country each day. We learned where those countries are located on a map, what their flags look like, and how their citizens celebrate the holidays. To culminate our Christmas Around the World unit, we ended with a "Trip Around the World". Several parent volunteers came in to lead the students in crafts, games, and snacks. One or more parents were stationed at each "country". The students traveled with a suitcase and passport to each country. At each country, their passports were stamped and they began an activity that went along with that country's holiday traditions. We learned a lot and had so much fun!

Miles made a poinsettia in Mexico

Kaylee and Regan show off their wreaths that they made in Sweden.

Mrs. Vibbert tries a hat on Juan in Sweden.

Blake is all smiles in Sweden as he cuts out stars for his "Star Boy" hat.

Jacob works diligently on his "Star Boy" hat.

Dawson is excited because he just won a bunch of beans while playing with the dreidel in Israel.

Zane shows off his reindeer that he made in the U.S.A. We are one of the few countries where Santa's sleigh is pulled by reindeer. In other countries, the gift giver arrives by horse, broom, or even goats!

Malachi helps Mitchell sprinkle some glitter into his reindeer food. On Christmas Eve, Mitchell will sprinkle the reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) onto his lawn. The glitter will catch the eyes of the reindeer and they will be sure to stop at his house!

Kaden's grandma teaches these boys how to play with a dreidel.

James is taking a break in Greece. All this traveling is hard work!

Dawson shows off his stocking that he made in Greece, which is where the tradition of hanging stockings began.

Dominick made a beautiful Christmas tree ornament in Germany. It is said that the tradition of decorating Christmas trees came from Germany.

Zane concentrating on cutting out his reindeer antlers.

Miles and Dalton munch on their Christmas Cake in Japan. Yum!

Kaden taking a big bite of Christmas cake in Japan.

Ryan and Dominick work on making a poinsettia in Mexico. Feliz Navidad!

Juan made a beautiful ornament in Germany.

Blake, Jacob, and Juan in Germany

Kaden learns how to play with a dreidel from his grandma.

Shelvie laces up her stocking in Greece.

Malachi ate every last bit of his Christmas cake in Japan before I was even able to take a picture. It must have been yummy!

Dawson and James make reindeer food and a reindeer craft in the U.S.A.

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Our Highland Kindergartners did an AMAZING job at Tuesday night's Christmas Music Program. A big thanks goes out to Mrs. Amanda Taylor, HES music teacher, who put this program together. Another big thanks to Mrs. Lisa Vibbert, who made the students' reindeer antlers. The students looked and sounded great!

Mitchell and Ryan looking handsome as ever and getting ready for their big performance.

Ryan and Kaden dressed in their Christmas best.

Kaden and Ryan again, sporting their Rudolph antlers.

Kaylee and Shelvie looking beautiful!

Miles makes a very handsome Rudolph!

Mitchell, Elliott, and Ryan just before the big show.

HES Kindergartners

Ryan did a wonderful job singing!

Kaden making reindeer antlers.

Great job, Miles!

Juan and Kaylee singing along.

Ryan, Mitchell, Elliott, and Julie

Great job guys! I am so proud of each of you!