I have finally come up with a classroom theme for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year!

Shepherd's Shining Stars are College Bound

Today I emailed all the major universities in Louisiana telling them of my class theme, and asking if they could help out by sending me information on their college and any memorabilia that I could use for class decor. So far, I have had one university, Tulane University where I cheered for one year in college, contact me replying that they are sending me 2 pennants, 2 bumper stickers, a magnet and brochures containing information about the college.

I plan to designate a college dream wall in my classroom, inspired by Mrs. Renz. This wall will contain   a poster stating "Which college will YOU go to?" and then I'll place underneath it all the great goodies I get from the colleges.

Here's a look at Mrs. Renz's wall, were I found my inspiration.

Tonight I mentioned my class theme on Twitter and a great colleague and friend of mine @plnaugle suggested that I set up Skype calls with the counselors. What a great idea!

This past school year my student teacher, Mrs. Ahmad, organized a field trip for my 4th graders to the University of New Orleans, where I also cheered for two years of my college career. You can read about the field trip here! The students had a great time and all of them are really thinking about their future.

I plan to write a grant for this coming school year and organize a field trip for all 4th graders, 130 students, to attend a field trip to UNO. I estimate it to cost about $1,000.

What is your classroom theme for this school year?

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Mrs. Shepherd

Today My 4th graders had a big dream, a dream to go to college.

Just a few weeks ago, during Morning Meeting, my student teacher Mrs. Ahmad asked the students who planned on attending college. Very few student hands went up, and even one said, " I don't want to go!" Well, that's all it took for my student teacher to put together a field trip they would never forget, where they could begin to dream "Big".

Upon arrival, the students were greeted by the Dean of Education.

Then they were given a Math lesson on "Transformations" by Dr. Germaine McCarthy, who was my professor 10 years ago.

Next, was a shared reading by Dr. Austin. She shared two wonderful books titled Pitching for Eubie by Jerdine Nolen and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba. They were both wonderful and had two great themes that represented the underlying purpose of our field trip well, which was hard work and persistence comes success.

Then we continued our trip with a tour of the campus. Here is a shot of the University Library.

Then the best part of the field trip came, according to the students, which was lunch at the University Center. Students were treated by an anonymous donor to an all you can eat buffet. Students had their choice of salad, chicken sandwiches, soup, hamburgers, grilled cheese, fries, baked chicken, mash potatoes, veggies and dessert. I've never seen kids eat so much!

Finally, we toured the Recreation center and the dormitories.

Then back to school we went, where students received certificates for attending college for a day. The university also gave them pens, lanyards and a necklace.

We have BIG DREAMS!

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Mrs. Shepherd