Baby Chicks!!

Thanks to Cally's mommy, we've enjoyed having 9 little chicks in our classroom this week! They are definitely a noisy, smelly, messy little bunch, but the girls love them dearly.

They have named them accordingly: Itsy Bitsy, Fluffy, Emma, Elsa, Anna, Chloe, Zoey, Alyssa #1 and Alyssa #2. Apparently the last 2 look exactly alike to the girls, so they felt they should be named the same! :-)

 

I was able to capture 3 of my girls' reactions to their baby chicks on video. :-) Oh yes, my girls sure can make me smile!

Butterflies & Giggles

Over the weekend the other 4 butterflies emerged from their safe, little chrysalises!  After the enthusiastic greeting they received this morning, they are probably regretting their decision to leave their cozy, quiet homes...

We are going to enjoy observing our five beautiful, painted lady butterflies these next few days!

A Fun Afternoon Experiment: Making Goop

This afternoon I knew we were going to have some time on our hands, and I really didn't want the girls to completely destroy the classroom {smile}, so I tried to think of something fun we could do. We had just done a quick project using the big container of liquid glue in the art closet. I knew there was some sort of "goop" that could be made with liquid glue, food coloring, and liquid starch, but I couldn't remember the exact measurements. Well, I wasn't going to let that stop me! I got each of the girls a bowl and spoon, poured a little glue in the bowls, and then they picked the color they wanted their "goop" to be. After the glue was the color they wanted, we added some liquid starch to the glue. After some tweaking - adding a little glue and a little more starch here and there - the "goop" was finally the consistency it should be.

For the rest of the afternoon, the girls were completely entertained. They LOVED the texture of the slimy goop {which they ended up calling "gooby" instead}! It could stretch, pull, and mold into whatever they wanted it to be. It is amazing what can be done with just liquid glue, starch and food coloring!!!  

 

So Hope had been working on making a "snake" with her goop, but just as I was about to snap the picture, it broke. Hence, I decided it would be better to take a video. :-) The noise of the classroom will hopefully give you a glimpse of what a typical day is like for me. It is hard to capture it in pictures sometimes! Oh yes, never - I repeat - NEVER is there a quiet moment with these girls!

 

Movie Stars!!!

We had a missions banquet at our church tonight. A video was shown to express how multiplication in missions really works. My girls were actually the "stars" for about the first minute of the movie!! Aren't they adorable?! They thought it was pretty cool to have special lights and a camera in their classroom. I was just relieved that they actually cooperated for the event! (My girls are rather unpredictable {smile})

Feel free to watch the whole movie and have your mind blown away by how quickly this world can be reached with the Gospel! The rest of the video features some of the high school students at our school.

Multiplication in Missions from Lehigh Valley Baptist Church on Vimeo.

I Peter 5:8

On Friday after Show & Share, my verse helper selected this Bible verse to review as a class. This is definitely one of the favorite memory verses of the year so far! I think it has something to do with being able to make noise while singing it! :-) Because this was right after Show & Share, the girls weren't quite ready to let go of their items yet, so hence why they are holding them in the video!

Although it is a "cute" song, it definitely is a serious reminder!

A Lil' Sunshine on a Dreary Friday Afternoon

Dime Store with Michelle

Yesterday Michelle was my teacher helper. She was the saleslady at our "dime store". In Numbers class we had been reviewing the dime and how to count by 10's. The girls were able to cut out some dimes and put them in their piggy bank along with the pennies already there. One of my girls actually suggested the idea of having a dime store that day, and since it seemed like perfect timing, that is exactly what we did! Michelle figured out which each item would cost, and then she really got into her "saleslady" role by asking the girls in a mature voice, "And what can I get for you, madam?" It was quite cute!

Before the girls got started at the dime store, we had to practice counting by 10's one more time (and why not capture the moment on video?!).....

Our Christmas Program

Tonight my girls were a part of our school's Christmas program. They had a few "solo" parts, and then they joined the Elementary students for the last song. It was a great way to start off the Christmas season!

Singing "Away in a Manger"

 

My little sheep singing "While Shepherds Watched" & quoting the poem "If I Were a Shepherd"

Singing "Joy to the World" with the Elementary students

The Months of the Year

My girls surprised me today by being able to sing the "Months of the Year" song all by themselves! We have only practiced it a few days. :-) What can I say? I have a smart bunch of girls! {They are jumping/raising their hands during their birthday month.}

Days of the Week

Our Vowel Song

 

My Salvation Testimony

If you have 4 minutes to spare, please take the time to listen to my testimony of how I came to know Christ as my personal Savior. It is a rather "condensed" version, so if you want to read the longer version, click on "My Salvation Testimony" on the right sidebar, or go here.

Becky Follett - It's not God's Will that You Remain Lost Another Day! from LVBaptist on Vimeo.

The Night Before Jesus Came

I heard this poem on Christian radio today, and thought I would post it. It is very thought-provoking. During the Christmas season we focus on how Christ came to earth as a tiny baby, but let's not forget that He is coming back again as King! Are you ready for Him to return?

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house,
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here," my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2SEj1mGk54&feature=related

My First Graders!!

This is the poem they quoted last night at the end of their graduation program!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8mWX4225zo


More graduation pictures to follow soon!!

Fear Not Tomorrow

I found the following song awhile ago on Youtube, and it was being sung by a family who goes around to different churches and places, serving the Lord through music. Just a couple of weeks ago, my friends, Nina and Selena, sang this song at church, and I was again reminded of the amazing truths inside this song!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

In this age of uncertainty, questions come to my mind.
What is waiting ahead for me and the rest of mankind?

Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.
He's charting the course you'll take
He sees each hidden stair.
He's waiting to guide you,
through each burden and care.
Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.

Are you troubled o'er things to come?
Is your future unsure?
Are you dreading the coming dawn
A long day to endure?

Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.
He's charting the course you'll take
He sees each hidden stair.
He's waiting to guide you,
through each burden and care.
Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand,
oh but I know, who holds tomorrow,
and I know, oh I know, yes I know,
Who holds my hand.

Fear not tomorrow God is already there!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Here is a video clip of the Collingsworth family singing the song.....

Have You Prayed?

A couple of weeks ago, a lady at my church sent my Mom a Youtube clip of a song that she thought my Mom would like to sing for special music. My Mom searched for the music but couldn't find it anywhere. Listening to the Youtube clip over and over, she began to figure out the notes on the piano. My sister, Alayna, started helping her figure out the notes, added some chords and together they figured out the song arrangement. My Mom sang it this past Sunday. It has really great words, and it has reminded me quite often lately of the importance of prayer.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

So many times I often find I struggle with decisions.
I don’t know which path is best for me.
So I begin to worry then someone will ask that question.
The one that always brings me to my knees.

Have you prayed?
Have you asked the one who knows what’s best?
Have you prayed?
Have you knelt before His throne with your request?
When your path is hid in darkness and you cannot find your way.
It’s time to ask the question.
Have you prayed?

I see you smile and all the while I know your heart is fretting.
Friend I know just what you’re going through.
Doubts of dread fill your head and your future seems uncertain.
Hope is gone now what can you do?

Have you prayed?
Have you asked the one who knows what’s best?
Have you prayed?
Have you knelt before His throne with your request?
When your path is hid in darkness and you cannot find your way.
It’s time to ask the question.
Have you prayed?

Why do we refuse to see until things fall apart?
One final try one humble cry is where we need to start.

Have you prayed?
Have you asked the one who knows what’s best?
Have you prayed?
Have you knelt before His throne with your request?
When you path is hid in darkness and you cannot find your way.
It’s time to ask the question.
Have you prayed?
God’s knows your heart.
It’s time to pray.

{Here's the Youtube clip that acted as "inspiration" :-)}

Proverbs 16:3

I love how enthusiastically my kiddos sing the Bible verses we learn each week! They pick up on them so fast, which I am sure has a lot to do with putting them to music. Thanks, Mr. E!! However, I have to smile every time we practice this particular Bible verse. After listening to the song on CD for the first time, one of my kiddos decided to try to sing it, and she did pretty good. After all, there are some rather large, confusing words in some of these Bible verses!

She sang - "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be in Spanish!!"

Now enjoy listening to what she meant to sing..... :-)

Psalm 145:3

Proverbs 3:7

The Months of the Year

During the 2nd quarter, we focused on learning the months of the year during calendar time. In case you are wondering why my kiddos seem to have the "jumping beans" at certain points, there is a purpose. They jump when it is their birthday month. :-) And yes, can you believe that 3 of my 4 students have April birthdays?!