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I'm the one in the middle with the navy blue scrubs |
It was a Monday, the day before our big state writing test, and the students thought they'd be relaxing and not even discussing writing since we had mentioned the Friday before that they learned everything they need to learn in order to be successful on the test. However, as soon as they came in we (the fourth grade teachers) told the kids, "We have a lot of practicing to do today, no goofing off just lots and lots of writing". The looks of devastation filled the 4th grade classrooms along with many sighs. The teachers handed out a writing prompt and told the kids to get started. Poor students felt like they were being tortured! :(
At 10:10 AM it was time for the kiddos to go to Specials and it was time for "Operation Convention Hospital" for all 6 of the 4th grade teachers! As you may have noticed I'm not the fittest crayon in the box but you should have seen me move... I was as fast as Michael Johnson in the 1996 Olympics! I changed into my scrubs (that I bought at Walmart especially for this activity), put on my surgeon cap, medical mask, and my stethoscope. I looked in the mirror and wondered if I was in the right profession......the scrubs were soooooooo comfortable, I could get used to wearing them everyday and the money wouldn't be so bad either I looked dang good as a surgeon. LOL!
Each of us set up our classrooms hospitals. We laid out outline of "patients" and filled each patient with editing goodness. We bagged "doctor kits" that consisted of a surgeon cap, medical mask, rubber gloves, and a pencil surgical tool for each student. One of our inclusion teachers went to pick up all six classes. The teachers head surgeons stood outside their classroom hospital all dressed in their surgery gear and ready to go. As the students walked upstairs to our hallway they heard us scream, "Hurry, hurry, hurry, we have an emergency. Get ready for surgery stat!!!!!". Kids started running toward their classroom. Most students were sooooooooo excited but we did have a few that didn't realize we were playing and thought there was an emergency.... I guess the scrubs and handing them a "doctors kit" didn't click for some. :)
Needless to say, the kids had the time of their lives! Every time the head surgeons saw each medical team work together nicely we would give them a colorful band-aid to place on their patient. Who would've thought a promise of a band-aid would make these medical teams work so awesome together. Here are some pics of the fun!
What are some fun but academic activities you do with your students?