So Brave!

Monday was our last field trip of the year for the Pride of 2023!
Our first grade team visited a local park for the day to celebrate a fantastic year of learning! I really hate to admit this... I LOVE teaching & enjoy working with 1st grade, however, I don't love field trips! I didn't even like them as a child! :( As a teacher, I just really prefer seeing my students in a structured learning environment (with 4 concrete walls). Anyway, today we went to a park for our end of year trip. The students' behavior has been a bit off-the-chain less than desirable lately. I wasn't exactly looking forward to setting them loose in nature. To my wonderful surprise - it was a FANTASTIC trip! It was 75 degrees & sunny and the park was beautiful. The park rangers seemed genuinely excited to have 125 crazy giddy first-graders at their facility. I "heart" park rangers!!

The day was full of adventure! I teach in an urban environment where most of my students don't have yards or safe areas to explore & just be a kid. This park was truly a wonderland to the children & adults :) My students modeled our school's value "Be Brave" as they learned (and touched! pass the hand sanitzer!!) wildlife from the park:

very large bullfrog - looked like it was about to lunge at me!

A snake!  I made sure I stayed "busy" taking pictures rather than touch it!

a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - SAY WHAT? - ew!

I can't even show you the picture of Jasmine, the opposum - it made me feel faint & I had to delete it A.S.A.P. from my phone!

Frightening animals aside, my students really had to be brave for this "fun" activity:

This "awesome" parachute activity literally took out 4-5 students :(

There was a brief moment where every adult in the vicinity was comforting a child who had somehow wiped out or collided with another. Luckily, they all were fine - thank goodness!

End-of-year field trip - done!

Already looking forward to next year!

But first I need a LONG nap!