So What's Going On With the Boys These Last Ten Days of School?

First up--Hubs.  The state tests -- that teachers have to teach towards from Aug till late April (which are taken after about 6 other sets of standardized tests)-- are done and now Hubs gets to teach the old school way.  During the year he reads a class book to his 5th grade students that features a kid's lunch box that gets stolen (Dear Mr. Henshaw).  Now that there is time again for extra-curricular projects during class time, he has them create an alarm for a lunch box.  They have to work in groups  of four and using a small motor, create a lunchbox that will alarm if anyone tries to sneak out...a large candy bar.  Last night he bought about 45 various candy bars that are shaped long such as Butterfinger, plain Hershey's, etc.

In about a week the principal will be invited in to the class and she will approach each carefully prepared lunchbox and reach in and pull out the coveted candy bar.  Years ago the kids used a paper bag lunch sack and now he tells them to pick up a soft-sided one from a thrift store if they don't have one. The students hope that their crafted alarm will set off and the principal will not be able to "steal" their candy bar.

Sidenote: a couple of years ago, when the day was over, one boy almost cried telling Hubs that he didn't win, but can they still get a prize or treat, and Hubs said, No, you didn't win.  The student said, "But we are just little kids!"

Hubs and another teacher are doing this together with their two classes.  The other teacher is younger and has taught fewer years and this is the first time instructing this project.  He is super excited and yesterday told Hubs, "This is great--and you used to be able to do projects like this for science all year???" 

Two more weeks and then for the first time since Oldest began Kindergarten in 2001, none of our three sons will ever be in the same school with Dad anymore.