Winthrop ’s First Day in O’Neill

by Mrs. Morrow  

I arrived in Nebraska this morning on the FedEx Truck.  As the delivery person carried me up the walk of O’Neill Elementary I peeked out of my box and saw a nice, big school building.  Also, it was snowing! Pretty snowflakes that looked just like cotton balls!  I decided right away that Nebraska will be a fun place to stay for a month.

I was carried into Mrs. Morrow’s fifth grade classroom right in the middle of her second rotation Language Arts class.  They were really busy! They explained to me that they were getting ready for a “Wax Museum” of Historical Figures.  Each fifth grader researched a person who made a difference in the world and is preparing a presentation, complete with poster board, props, and first-person narrative speech.  They will come alive when their audience drops some change in their can.  I can’t wait to see where the fifth grade class decides to donate their money to!

I was introduced to the last two rotations and Mrs. Morrow’s homeroom.  I think these kids are going to be fun!  Everyone wanted to hold me and take their turn with me, but Mrs. Morrow said they would have to be patient and wait their turn. 

As the day drew to a close, I listened to part of a story called The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.  That Despereaux sounds like a brave furry hero with a big heart…just like me! 

I then found out that Mondays after school are very busy in Mrs. Morrow’s room.  She teaches an after-school class, called Digital Kids Club (or DKC).  The 5^th grade participants are creating an iMovie modeled after American Idol called “Techno Idol.”  I got to help film scenes and edit video with the iBook.  I can’t wait to watch their finished product before they enter it in the Digies Contest.  I know they’ll win, so I got my picture with a trophy to get them excited.

Mrs. Morrow finally left school after 5:00 and introduced me to her two girls, Emily and Claire, and her husband, Mr. Morrow.  We only had to drive for a few blocks to get to her house.  This town seems small, but friendly!  After a delicious dinner of beef roast, mashed potatoes, and corn, I played “Crazy Eights” and the piano with the girls.  When it was bedtime I got to snuggle in the top bunk with the girls and their bear friends. 

I can’t wait for my second day in O’Neill and the opportunity to meet many more cool friends.  I can’t wait to tell them about my previous travels and learn more about O’Neill, Nebraska .

**This is going to be BEAR-Y Great!

- Winthrop