Block Island

I am heading home now after a relaxing week on Block Island, Rhode Island. Some of my favorite things about this vacation included seeing hydrangeas (my favorite flower) at every corner, kayaking on the Great Salt Pond, and spending time with my family.

I leave for France on Tuesday for two weeks before school officially begins for teachers. I have had a lot of time to rest, reflect, and prep for the fall. To my new students- expect something in the mail from me soon!

Xoxo
Mrs. Armstrong

First Team Meeting

The 6th Age teachers (and I) had our first team meeting yesterday afternoon!

We couldn't wait to get together and begin discussing ideas for the fall. We are already anxious and excited to meet our new students and get the year started!

Summer Ideas, ALA Martha Stewart

Well, there's a reason Martha Stewart has an empire.

Check out over 60 summer activities I found while browsing her website. I love the "tic-tac-towel" and "painted sneakers". How fun!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Are you looking for an outdoor activity for your child? Check out this information, found on Oregon Ridge Nature Center's website, taking place over the next few weekends. What a great way to experience nature in our hometown!

OUR EIGHT LEGGED FRIENDS - July 23 & 24, 2--4 PM - Learn about our pest controlling friend, the spider, and meet some live specimens. Then make a print from an old spider web! Ages 5yr+. $3 ($2 Members).

BUTTERFLY BASH - July 30 & 31, 2-4 PM - Learn all about the beautiful butterflies at Oregon Ridge. We will search for caterpillars, identify adults and make a butterfly themed craft for the kids. Ages 5yr+. FREE!

Ciao from Baltimore to Rome!

Ciao from Baltimore!

This afternoon I skyped a former student in Rome! This student's family has Italian roots, so she spends her summers and many vacations there. It was so fun to hear about her recent travels (to Tuscany), and admire a beautiful bracelet she was wearing. I even had time to introduce her to my dog, Tyson. I look forward to seeing her in person when school starts in the fall.

A special thank you goes out to this student's mom, who allowed us to spend this time together.

Grazie!

Environmental Print

What is environmental print?

It is print found all around us- on road signs, stores, and even cereal boxes.

Here is a fun activity you can do at home to catalog the environmental print you and your child find together.

MAKE A GROCERY STORE BOOK

Step 1. Reuse an old binder for storage of print you find.

Step 2. Find a suitable way to organize your binder. I use:

• 
  
  clear plastic binder sheets - These are great in protecting paper print from getting soiled or ripped.
  
  


• 
  
  dividers - I have organized my print collection as a grocery store organizes it's aisles (fruits and vegetables come first, then dairy, then poultry, etc.), but it can also be organized alphabetically, or by meal options (a milk, chicken, and rice photo can be sorted together as a make-believe meal, for example).
  
  

Step 3. Start collecting print...there's so much out there!

Good places to search are on the food packages themselves. I often cut off the name of the item with scissors before depositing the remaining piece in the recycling bin.

Step 4. You can decorate the front of your book. I also like to put some paper and pencils inside for my students to make grocery lists of their own.

Click here to find additional information about environmental print and fun activities to enhance learning at home!

Postcards

One of my favorite things to collect on vacations away from home are postcards.  I thought it would be fun to send my old students a postcard each from my travels.  Keep a close eye on your mailbox!
Xoxo
Mrs. Armstrong

Chi-Town Fun

We have been enjoying Chicago and beautiful weather the past few days. On Saturday evening we finished a great meal at Salpicon where I ate lime sorbet flavored with serrano chile peppers. It was delicious!

Upon recommendation from our waitor, we caught a late evening show at Second City- I laughed so hard I cried!

Yesterday morning we skipped the observation deck (94th floor) at the John Hancock Building (the third tallest skyscraper in Chicago) for the Signature lounge
(96th floor)- complete with festive drinks and truly breathtaking views of Chicago. (The cost of sitting down for a drink and small plate in the Signature Lounge is pretty much equivilant to the ticket fee of the observatory deck, so take your pick). Watch the below video for a peak of us at the Signature Lounge.

Aferwards, we hopped on the El and watched a Cubs/ White Sox game in nearby Wrigleyville.

I sampled a "Chicago hotdog" while in the ballpark, complete with grilled onions, neon relish and dog on a poppyseed bun.

This morning we took a bike tour alongside picturesque Lake Michigan

and visited the Field Museum and snapped a photo with Sue, the museum's famous dinosaur.

Did you know that Sue is named after the paleontologist who found this T-Rex in Utah?

The front of the Chicago Field Museum- me atop the steps in "Rocky" position:

We then marveled at "The Bean" in Millenium Park.

Tonight we will sample authentic deep dish pizza in this town's hot spot- Lou Malnati's Pizzeria before catching fireworks on the Navy Pier. This vacation rocks!

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

A Gangster Tour and the Magnificent Mile

This morning after breakfast my husband and I took an "Untouchable's Gangster Tour" of Chicago. We toured through the city in a black bus and saw many sights,

including the infamous John Dillinger theatre. Fun!


We ate lunch at Ed Debevic's, a tongue-in-cheek re-creation of a 1950s dinner (complete with Oreo milkshake and paper hats)

walked the "Mag Mile"

purchased new sunglasses at Nordstroms

took some picturesque shots of the amazing architecture,

including: Trump Towers and the Wrigley building (did you know this building sports a clock tower inspired by the bell tower of the grand cathedral in Seville, Spain? It's the landmark headquarters of- you guessed it- the Wrigley chewing-gum company),

and Marina City

before returning to our hotel. We are resting up before heading to dinner at Salpicon, a Mexican restaurant with amazing reviews! The big decision of the evening will be: what do we choose to eat?

Until later!

Fourth of July Traveling Adventure

Dear Calvert,
Guess where I am?

My husband and I are here for a long fourth of July weekend vacation. Here's the funny thing- we flew Southwest and guess who we just happened to be sitting next to?! A current Calvert student and her family! I KNOW! Small world.
We arrived yesterday and are staying at Hotel Allegro located in the loop. We are located near the infamous Chicago Theatre, built in 1921. This theatre began as a Balaban and Katz movie palace with a stunning Baroque interior. The 3,600 seat auditorium features crystal chandeliers, bronze light fixtures, and murals on the wall and ceiling. The eye-catching marquee has been called the city's unofficial emblem.
Last night we went to a jazz show at Andy's Jazz club- it was a great time!

I am excited for today's adventures and promise to keep you posted.
I'd love to hear about your Fourth of July weekends!