Pandamania

My class has gone wild about Pandas since our Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) called Pandamania.  We used the Group Publishing VBS curriculum as the structure for our SEW.  The kids loved the theme and the music especially.

Some friends decorating the elementary floor for Pandamania. 

The mascots for the week holding our daily themes.

I got to help during one of the lessons.  

 At the end of the week, each classroom was given one of the Pandas to keep.  Oh my that was SO exciting for my class.  They begged me every day with "what are we going to name him/her?"  Finally, this week we got around to naming the Panda.   I told the students to write their suggestions on a piece of scratch paper and we'd take a vote.

Here's a sampling of the names that were suggested:  Buddy, Boney, C.C., Messi, Skela, Benji, Lulu, Boo-Boo, Boomer, Panda, Amanda, T.J., Skoot, Lovly, Mary, William, Ronaldo, Oli and Arnada.

Immediately my teacher veto power took action.  Amanda was NOT going to be the name of our classroom panda.  I remember being taunted as a child with "Amanda the Panda" and didn't need to relive that.  I narrowed it down to four decent name choices.  Buddy, Lulu, T. J. and Ronaldo.  The class  voted and the selection narrowed to two names- Buddy and T. J.  We voted again.  But just like my students you'll have to wait until tomorrow to learn what the name is.

I'll end today's post with a picture of my roommate Alli on a sunny clear day in early January where we ventured downtown to see some sights.  This is in front of the statue at Hero's Square.