Young bodies are full of kinetic energy. They need to jump, leap, run, skip and slide into new beginnings. Over the years, I have used a sandhill near the school for just this very purpose. When the leaves on the big oaks and maples are an array of color, we "jump into fall". We go back to the sandhills just before April vacation and "jump into spring" and yes, at the end of kindergarten, once more you can see the elation on their faces, when I say, " It's time. Are you ready for the challenge? We need to Leap into Summer". Come share the excitement with us.
Back at school, it's time to clean up......
and get rid of all the sand.
Although the sun is surely setting on this kindergarten year, new beginnings come with the break of dawn.
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Comments: 55
Fabulous! Can we come play, too?
Wear old clothes and join the fun!
what a wonderful day.
Creating memories to last a lifetime.
When we were kids we did those things at the sand dunes. Now they're part of a state park and preserved--kids can use the beach but not play on the dunes.
When I was little John, my Uncle Billy, my father's younger brother who was mentally challenged, was in charge of all the kids during the summertime. He intoduced us to all the fun that could be had at the cranberry sandpits behind our house. I have never forgotten the "elation" one feels leaping off and rolling down a sandhill.
Bob, I've said it before and I'm sure many others have as well, but the children you've touched are so very lucky. I love the joy in their faces, and there's not a gameboy within a mile of any of them!
Not a gameboy within a mile, Vicky. And look at the pure joy on their faces. Funny thing is was we were only out on the hill maybe 30 or 40 minutes.....but it really got all the squirmy-wormies out and they were able to come into the classroom and get a whole lot of "readin' and writin' " accomplished during the rest of the day.
I wanna join in the fun too.
Me too! ( Or for the English teachers, I also!)
If you are goin' to join the fun, then you need to come over tomorrow....last day for leapin'.
I can't speak for John but I'll be there in my imagination with bells on.
You can wear the bells but be sure to wear old clothes. I don't want your Mom yelling at me!
Very appropriate, Bob, as you leap into a new beginning chapter of your life!
Ever so right, Faith....a new beginning is about to begin for both the children and myself.
I was going to say what Faith just said....Look forward not to the bottom of the sandhill but to the next wonderful thrill you will embark upon....
I'm climbing the hill now Kathryn....just like your daughter.
Featured in the The Triple Name Club
Thanks for the feature, kathryn.
Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
I knew you would leap, Roy!
Oh how fun!!! Great photos and lucky kids!!!
Lucky me, Melinda...I had awesome kids this year to finish out my teaching career. What a cohesive, hardworking, fun loving, bunch of kids.
Life is a big long series of new beginnings. These children, whom you taught to leap into each new season, will leap with joy at the new beginnings in their lives, instead of with fear. Be proud of all you have accomplished . . . and leap with joy into your own new beginning!
Thank you dianne....I'm wondering, can one "leap" with a bionic knee?
I'm proof you can — still leaping and planning to continue!
Then I guess I will try.
The look on their faces make my heart soar... They have the spirit of summer and of youth that was immortalized in a poem I remember fondly.
In the words of that great master poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, let me quote part of his poem:
The Barefoot Boy
Blessings on thee, little man,
Barefoot boy, with cheek of tan!
With thy turned-up pantaloons,
And thy merry whistled tunes;
With thy red lip, redder still
Kissed by strawberries on the hill;
With the sunshine on thy face,
Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace;
From my heart I give thee joy,-
I was once a barefoot boy!
Prince thou art,-the grown-up man
Only is republican.
Let the million-dollared ride!
Barefoot, trudging at his side,
Thou hast more than he can buy
In the reach of ear and eye,-
Outward sunshine, inward joy:
Blessings on thee, barefoot boy!
What a perfect poem, Duckie....just perfect for this post.
great postings, thanks
Thanks Richard for stopping by.
The looks on their faces are priceless, Bob! As probably are the strained looks on the faces of the mothers when the little ones come home with stained clothes. But what the heck ... leaping into new beginnings is what life should be about.
Now, this seems like the perfect kind of fun.
I think even adults would like the experience.
they definitely look ready to leap into summer...and into life
If you could have heard the excited chatter surrounding this activity, you would have just smiled. I know Mrs. Staples and I were just laughing when we saw the antics of some.
This was great Bob - we used to roll down the levee in washing machine boxes - and yes, there were lots of cow patties - kids need to get dirty and have fun - all of these kids look very healthy and they're not worried about anything except having fun - clothes can be washed and so can skin - kids need to really move and breathe fresh air - you're wonderful Bob - keep up the good work! (I know you're fixing to retire ) they'll miss you. Salud
My thoughts exactly, Mariana....clothese and skin can be washed. A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone.
Nothing better, sand in the shoes and the laughter that lingers. Just a great photo essay.
I like that expression, Karen: : "sand in the shoes and laughter that lingers"... that says it all.
Over the years I have mostly read without commenting about the fantastic things you do with young children in your classroom. Future children are missing out on a great teacher! I wish you the best in your new beginning.
Thank you Janna for stopping by and commenting. A new beginning is right around the corner...I think I am ready.
:-)
What a perfect idea. No child can resist jumpint into things like that. :-)
Perfect way to end a school year...and a career.
So you're retiring? Off to do something different? I saw the reference in Janna's comment, but I wasn't sure what it meant.
So CUTE!
When my twins were about five years old, we went for a walk in a nature preserve near here. They had been there before, with a small friend and the friend's parent, I believe, and as we neared one place along the path, the boys shouted excitedly, "The Indian Slide! Let's go to the Indian Slide!" I didn't understand what they were talking about. They led me to a grove of trees off the path and shared their secret. There, in a ravine that ran within the trees, a worn, sandy slope at one point dropped 10 or 12 feet to the rocky bottom. We all laughed and had a few slides before we went on our way.
Kids and sandhills just go together, I believe.
I can just feel the fun they are having. We used to love to roll down a big grass hill when we were little. Everything looks so much bigger and taller at that age, I bet they had a wonderful time.
That's really true...you would have thought this hill was Mt. Everest!
Mrs E I have truly enjoyed the kindergarden pictures. I am delighted that Paige had you as her teacher. She had a joyous school year. You gave her a great beginning to her school life.
Gram C
I'm glad you enjoyed all the pictures, Judy. I think it's important for folks to have a "window" into all the things that happen in a kindergarten class.
fun, fun, fun
Are you ready to roll?