Halloween, MAP Style

Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year, and although I would not wish it to fall on a Monday, it was an exciting way to start our week. The kids were buzzing with excitement from the moment they got to school on Halloween. Fortunately, they were able to burn off some energy immediately in P.E. for the first 45 minutes of the day.
After P.E. we created a funny, interactive Halloween sentence. Ask your kid to teach you how it works!  (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)

Our MAP pumpkin carving event took place outside in the warm sunshine this year. Sophia explains, "We carved pumpkins with our buddies. I made a cute one with a smiley face, and different sized eyes. We worked together with our buddies to make jack-o-lanterns." Once again, I found myself shaking my head at the idea of encouraging 120+ kids to carve pumpkins on their own. But, like last year, it went off without a hitch—no one got hurt and the kids created a festive, creative collection of jack-o-lanterns to decorate our school, and then their homes.

The afternoon was a whirlwind, as expected. After hastily changing into Halloween costumes, the kids of Room 5 joined Manor School in a Halloween romp around the campus, ending up on the blacktop. On the blacktop, we were entertained with songs, poems, and dances led by various classes. The second and third grade classes sang a spooky Halloween song, complete with sound effects.

Of course, no Halloween would be complete without a class party! The parents of Room 5 swooped in with food, decorations, and helping hands to host a Halloween feast for the kids. After eating, we played Halloween charades, heartily laughing as classmates acted out pirates, zombies, ballerinas, witches, wizards, and more.

Thanks to everyone who helped make Halloween extra special this year. Let the holiday season begin!