Fun in Forth Grade

Well, I am not going to lie, but being in Mrs. Nelson’s class this afternoon, I was SCARED – SCARED – SCARED!  This LOUD – LOUD – LOUD teacher happens to have mice plastered all over her walls and I thought I was going to be next.  So I decided to hide and sleep with one eye open while the class went about their learning.  They learned some social, spoke in a completely different language (sort of like Sayeh’s family, but not quite) and they got to talking a lot about food when it came to fractions which tweeked my interest. 

 

At recess time, Mrs. Nelson woke me from my rest and put me in the ball while three pretty, quiet girls cleaned my cage.  They washed my house, changed my bedding and even gave me some poop free food!   I spent the last hour of the day exploring the classroom (I am pleased to announce that there were no mice findings in there, other than those on the wall).  Mrs. Nelson kindly put me back in my cage so that I could eat some FRESH – FRESH – FRESH food, a pistachio and spin on my wheel. 

 

I do have to admit, the time was FUN-FUN-FUN and that class was well behaved.  Thank you for having me and letting me learn and explore! 

WOW!  What an exciting day I've had in the Early Education Program.  The children in Mrs. Bilinski's classroom are certainly an active bunch.  And smart too!!  They began their day in the gym, so I hung out at the classroom and had a little nap. The special day helper (Blakely) made sure I was fed and watered before they headed off!

I pretended to still be asleep as I listened to the children during calendar time on the carpet.  They sang songs for the days of the week and the weather for the day.  They counted all the way to eleven, and figured out the pattern on the numbers.  They also played a game called "Headbanz" in which the children had to give clues to a friend to help determine what the picture was.  I was amazed that these little people could give such great hints without giving the picture away! 

When they were finished with circle time, Mrs. Bilinski explained all about me to the children.  She asked them not to make loud noises or sudden moves so I wouldn't be scared.  I was then taken out of my cage for a "meet" & "greet" session. All the children sat nicely as Mrs. Bilinski gently carried me to say "hello" to each one.  What good listeners they were!

While the children busied themselves doing a craft activity, I scurried around the room in my ball.  I explored all the different centres the children play at after snack time.  Boy, they sure do have a lot of fun in this room! 

Speaking of snack time, I enjoyed a delicious snack of seeds & pistachios while the boys & girls ate with friends at the tables.

With snack time all done, it was time for me to return to the safe confines of my deluxe accomodations for some much needed rest!  As I drifted off to dreamland, I heard sounds of playful laughter from within the room!  Good bye to all my friends in the EEP!  I'm off on another adventure!!

Grade One Fun

Wow! I had such a fabulous time up in Miss. Ramage’s class! The students were exceptionally patient with me. Miss. Ramage explained that I am much smaller than the grade ones and in order for me to feel comfortable, the students had to be on their very best behaviour. Miss Ramage also had mentioned that I was a very curious and kind creature.  She told her students that if they were super quiet and respectful, it would be very possible that I would venture out to meet them. She was right! Before I knew it, I was rolling all over the classroom. I was introducing myself to everyone! I was squeaking left! I was squeaking right! I was so excited to be able to have the opportunity to meet everybody that I forgot where I was going…. and I ran my ball right into the wall! No need to worry though, my ball was fine and so was I! The students seemed to love me no matter where I rolled. Which made my time up in grade one so fantastic!

As I rolled around to inspect each and every student, they would bend down and show me a huge smile. They would often giggle and greet me with a friendly hello. Which made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

Eventually, everyone moved to the huge mat in the centre of the room. There, we all had a chance to introduce ourselves. I rolled around to each student and we each had a chance to say hi and tell each other our names.  The students were very respectful towards me. No one touched my ball! The students allowed me to wander back and forth so I could show them all my sweet tricks! They were very curious to see what I was up too. I tried my very best to make sure everyone could see just how cool hamsters can be!  Thanks again Grade Ones!

A Long-Long-Long Weekend

Happy Monday!  It is sure good to be back at school for the week.  My weekend was very busy-busy-busy at Mrs. Wenaas' house.  She fed me lots of treats and let me run in my ball but those pesky cats would not leave me alone.  I had to take cover to enjoy the pecan Mrs. Wenaas gave me in peace.

 

 

I hung out with the family for a while then checked out the new computer in the office.  They say I am related to mice but this one looks nothing like me. 

 

 I snuck into the cat tunnel when they weren't looking, it was fun-fun-fun to play hide and seek.

 

 

After my trip out of the cage I was prepared the next time those cats came to visit me unannouced.

They will think twice about bothering me again!

 

 

Those cats didn't know what hit them.  I have been practicing my aim ever since my time with Clem.

 

After that I decided to hide out in my fort where I could relax and still keep an eye out for them.

 

 

I had a wonderful Sunday dinner of a nice juicy carrot and then Mrs. Wenaas cleaned my cage up ready for my week at school.  I feel ready-ready-ready for anything that happens this week (as long as there are no cats!).







Upstairs in Grade 2!

 

Wow wow wow!  I had such a great time with Mrs. Bedford’s class this morning!  Mrs. Bedford came to pick me up from the library and then I got to ride in the elevator.  It was a little scary but very fun!  When I got to the room Mrs. Bedford welcomed me and I got to hang out with her for a little while until the bell rang!  I felt a little nervous to meet another new class but knew I would be fine fine fine because all the other classes I have met have been so kind and caring.  The kids started to pile in the door!  They were all very excited to see me!  I was a bit frightened so I hid in my home until I felt more comfortable.  Mrs. Bedford explained the rules.  She said that the students needed to be quiet and not to touch or bump my cage.  I was very happy about that I don’t like when my cage gets bumped.  A few student go me clean water and gave me some more food!

Then the exciting part happened!  All the kids sat in a circle and I got to meet all the students as Mrs. Bedford held me and walked around the circle.  Then one very kind student helped Mrs. Bedford gently put me into my ball.  I got to run around in my ball while all the kids looked at me and talked to me.  I really liked showing off all of my awesome moves!  After a while we got to take a class picture!  I was in my ball in the centre and all the kids had a craft of me they had made.  It was a very fun picture!  I had a little accident but most of the kids didn’t say yuck which was really nice of themJ  After the picture, Mrs. Bedford gently held me while she walked around and all the students got to pet me very carefully.  They were very kind and curious.  They had lots of questions!  I also had lots of questions for them but I don’t think they could understand when I squeak! 

 

 

I was put back into my cage and I was very tired so I had a nap.  Later when I woke up I decided to stay in my house but I could hear Mrs. Bedford teaching the students how to sketch me.  It sounded like they were doing a very good job! 

I had such a fun time with Mrs. Bedford’s Class I couldn’t wait until after lunch when I would get to go and visit Mrs. Balon’s Class.

Fun Fun Fun!!!

Humphrey     

Wow-wow-wow!  This afternoon I was rolled across the hall to Mrs. Balon’s grade 2 class.  They are 

 

  full of such kind and caring students!  I was tired-tired-tired from the last few days and I felt pretty bad that I slept almost the whole time I was in her class!  I wanted to snuggle up to my newspaper and get in a good days sleep (after all, I am nocturnal), but I did manage to wake up for a few minutes to roll around in my ball and meet the class before I fell asleep again.  These kids were so eager to meet me that they tried extra hard to stay quiet while they worked, so I could get a little bit of sleep.  Nice-Compliment-CJ, Thank-You-For-Helping-Tavin and Good-Job-Ethan were extra-extra-extra quiet and I felt very safe in Room 8 with Mrs. Balon and her wonderful students!  In fact, I snuck back in her class today to see how their portrait drawings of me were coming along.  When I was in her class on Thursday, Mrs. Balon just started teaching them how to draw a hamster called Humphrey (and who else could they be talking about other than little ol’ me!), so I quickly opened the lock-that-doesn’t-lock , snuck into her room and WOW-WOW-WOW this class is talented!  The sketches look just like me and I cannot wait to see them all hung up in the halls so I can look at them while I’m on my nightly stroll.  I think I was pretty sneaky and no one saw me scurrying around as I made my way back to my cage. 

 

I cannot wait to see Mrs. Balons class again so I can squeak to them about how much I loved being in their class!  I might just have to make a special appearance before my farewell assembly on Friday…. I guess they will all have to wait to find out what tricks I have up my fur! I mean sleeve!  Wait… I don’t have sleeves…..  UUhhmmm… They will just have to wait until Thrusday to find out my plan. ;)

 

Happy sketching Room 8!

 

Your friend,

 

Humphrey

Fun Times in Kindergaten

I had so much fun in kindergarten today.  I was their leader for the day.  I got to to teach them all about the weather, how to make a pattern and I got to lead them all around the school!  We went to gym first thing in the morning and we moved liked different animals.  I was so exhausted after running around that I needed a nap.  Luckily Bruce the Moose and George the Gorilla were around to read me a story. Then the kids were so kind to me and they made me pictures and special valentines.  I think I will make special cards for them too.  When I woke up from my nap I thought there was an explosion!   Toys were all over, George was hanging off my cage and children were EVERYWHERE!  When I took a closer look around I realized the kids were playing with toys.  I really liked the lego house they made me.  It was delightful.  After a very short lunch but quiet lunch another group of kids came in the room.  They took me to music!  I showed the kids a video of my friend Emma singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4kyLmGQfSg

We had a lot fun doing the Hamster Dance together.   I got so excited when the toys came again out I threw up in my ball!  How embarrassing!  The kids were very kind and no one laughed at me.  They let me play with the dragons and at the light table.  I made some very neat shadows when I walked across it.

What a busy day.  I think I am ready to curl up with Bruce and George and enjoy another Dr. Suess book. 

Pictures in Mrs Durrant's Room

                                                         My cage looks good in grade 2!

                                                         Giant-Shirt-Hamster... too big!

                                                      Is it a monkey or a sock?  I don't know!

                                                                      So-so-so cute!

                                                           The perfect hamster- me!

                                                           Cages are for climbing!

Hanging out with grade 2's

Hi-Hi-Hi!  I had trouble waking myself up this morning.  Yesterday was a busy day at school and then I helped Miss Cinnamon at night again.  It's hard to be a hamster but I'm having FUN-FUN-FUN at Galbraith.

Tuesday moring I was in Ms. Rahim’s class.  I noticed the students watching me. I began to climb. One student said, “You climb like superman and drop like a raindrop.” I just jumped down, from the bars, onto the climber, in my cage. The students sat in a circle and I ran inside it. They pet me gently, like Sayeh. I found out that Emma and Nolan have had hamsters at their houses. They were very, very, very, gentle with me.

In my cage, I showed the class how I groom myself by licking my paws and washing my face. They laughed, laughed, laughed.

I sharpened my teeth on the cage bars too because it felt good. I had fun spinning my wheel for the class, like I was driving a car. They laughed, laughed, laughed…again. I think they were happy to have me visit because everyone had a smile on their faces, when I left.

On Tuesday afternoon I went to Mrs. Durrant's classroom.  I liked the kids very much.  There was Get-To-Work-Rhys-a-Roni, Tie-Your-Shoes-Kaylia and Wait-For-The-Bell-Bailey.  There were lots of other kids but I spent a lot of time sleeping in my ball so I didn't hear all of their names.  There are a few weird-weird-weird things I should warn you about in Mrs. Durrant's classroom.  First of all, I was not the only animal in the room.  There were all of these things called sock monkeys, which are kind of like monkeys but more like big socks with faces.  Very creepy-creepy-creepy!  It reminded me of jack 'o lanterns in Mrs. Brisbane's classroom.  The other thing was this big tshirt with a picture of ME on the front of the shirt.  I know that I am very handsome but nobody asked me if I wanted to have my giant picture on someone's clothes.  I took a close look at the shirt and I bit Big-Shirt-Humphrey right on the nose to let him know how I felt!

The students in the classroom seemed to like me, even though I spent most of the afternoon sleeping.  Mrs. Durrant held me in her nice warm hands and let each student pet my soft-soft-soft fur.  They were very gentle.  Some kids even cleaned up the mess that was in my cage.  I had fresh water to drink and it was a very good day!

Mrs. Brown

WOW!  Although I was pretty exhausted from my morning in Mrs. Ridder’s class I had a great afternoon in Mrs. Brown’s class.  The students were learning more about hamsters, and me, of course!  The students watched a couple of really neat videos on the Smart Board.  Since I felt tired I just peeked out of the corner of one eye but the light from the Smart Board was blinding, almost like the overhead projector that I used to try to get Aldo to read the ad about the Moonlighters Club.  Hmmm!  I wonder if Aldo has figured that out yet.  Anyway, the Smart Board sure seemed huge but maybe because the room is smaller.  Mrs. Brown and her students were going to take me out for awhile but realized I really needed some rest so they decided to do some work first.  While I rested I learned that they are going to put some pictures and information in the hallway on the bulletin board.  It’s going to be all about hamsters.  I really don’t know what a bulletin board is but hopefully I’ll find out.

Just before recess I had a chance to go in my new ball and I explored everywhere in Mrs. Brown’s room.  I really liked going under her desk and back and forth to the students.  They were very excited but treated me with kindness.  I really like that.  Then I heard Mrs. Brown say it was time to return me to my home.  I was HAPPY – HAPPY – HAPPY to hear that as I was STARVING!  Once back in my home I went straight to my food dish.  Yum!  Now … I’m totally ready for a nap.  Talk to you soon.  J

Hangin' Out with the 4/5's

This morning I was in Mrs. Ridder’s Grade 4/5 class.  It was an exciting morning as the students cleaned my cage.  I love my cage when it sparkles, sparkles, sparkles!!  This class is very respectful as they didn’t groan or make comments regarding my dirty cage.  I had the opportunity to play in my ball around the room.  It was a great time as I ran from one end to the other, back and forth, getting my exercise on such a cold wintery day.  While I was running around, I scrambled over Ms. Pocock’s foot and she almost jumped a foot in the air.  I can’t believe she was that scared of me! The students seemed to really enjoy watching.  They thought I was getting really tired, so they put me back into my nice, clean cage.  I wasn’t ready to go back though, as I was having so much fun running around the room.  Fortunately, the Grade 4/5’s, who are really smart put me back into my ball to run.  I was hoping the students would leave the door open so I would be able to explore and greet the other students, but they were observant, and kept the door closed.  By lunch time, I was ready to go back into my home, get a much needed drink of water after all that exercise. I began rearranging my bedding. Ahh, ready to go to sleep, sleep, sleep.  Thanks Grade 4/5’s for taking of me.  I also want to add a special thank you to Dalton, for leaving the room because of his allergies to me, unfortunately.   Poor guy, I feel so sad, sad, sad he can’t hang out with me. 

WEEKEND ESCAPE!

It was a fun morning in the office.  van Son is pretty quiet so I could sleep and rest most of the morning.  I had to get all the rest I could because I knew that I wouldn't be getting ANY sleep over the weekend.  Ms Sheldrup was taking me home and I overheard something in the office.  (There are LOTS of things going on in the office)  Do you know what I discovered?  MS SHELDRUP HAS TWO DOGS!  Not one, but two!  How was a little guy like me supposed to RELAX at that house?  The weekends are for hangin' out and chillin'.  But how can you do that if you are afraid for your life?
Things started out pretty smoothly.  Ms Sheldrup was kind enough to introduce me properly to her dogs.  They seem to have pretty good manners.  But most dogs behave themselves when their owner is near.  I was worried about them when Ms Sheldrup was in another room.  Because when you're "the most important person in the school"  you DON'T get the weekends off.  I know that Ms Scheldrup would have work to do.

 

I am on my guard.  These cute puppy eyes don't fool me.  Ava may seem uninterested, but you just wait!

This is D.O.G.  Yep, "dog".  Ms Sheldrup wasn't too oringinal when naming this one.  I think she may have issues because of her name.  I'll have to look out and not turn my back on her.

 

 

The weekend started out pretty well.  I was safe inside my cage and those dogs were on the other side.  I tried to tell Ms Sheldrup that I wouldn't be needing any other excercise, I would just run in my cage because I DID NOT want to be out in the world with D.O.G. and Ava.  They may look small to you, but they are GIANTS to me.  But she wouldn't listen to me. She put me in the ball and I became another doggy toy to those two dogs! 

 

Just my luck, the incriminating video I took to show you the horrible way they were treating my won't upload.  But they were TO-TO-TO PUSHY!

 

I thought that I needed to teach those dogs some manners.  I needed my space, they didn't need to hover so closely to me.  I may be small, but that doesn't mean you can push me around.  (Really, they were literally PUSHING ME around in my ball).

What Ms Sheldrup didn't know was: my ball has a "pop-off top".  It's not supposed to pop off.  But I nibbled on it and now it does not close tightly.  SHHH-SHHH-SHHH.  That's our little secret!  While I was rolling around, I just needed a little breather from those pups.  When Ms Sheldrup wasn't looking, I poped off the top-that-doesn't-click and ESCAPED. 

Whe Ms Sheldrup came back into the kitchen she was surprised to say the learst.  Actually, I think she was a little bit terrified.

"I lost Humphrey!" she said.  "How am I going to tell 500 students that I lost Humphrey?"

I felt a little BAD-BAD-BAD for tricking her, but those dogs had to go!  It was me or them!  Of course, Ms Scheldup chose me and put those dogs in the basement. 

I didn't come out right away.  I was tired and I fell asleep in my hiding spot.  Those puppies wore me out!

 

 

 

Ms Sheldrup thinks I hid here, but I'll never tell!

 

When I woke up all was quiet.  It was late and I felt bad that I made Ms Scheldrup worry.  After all its not her fault her dogs are curious.  They probably had never seen an animal as handsome as me before.  I was hungry and wondered what I was going to eat.  I carefully crept out of my hiding spot and cautiously looked around.  D.O.G. and Ava were no where to be found.  Ms Scheldrup had left my cage open.  That was so nice of her.  She doesn't know that my cage has the-lock-that-doesn't-lock.  I was safely inside when Ms Sheldrup woke up the next morning.  GOOD-GOOD-GOOD for me is she didn't put me in my ball again for the rest of the weekend.  BAD-BAD-BAD is that she bought me a new ball and this one doesn't have a top-that-doesn't-click.  I guess I'll have to find a new way to escape and continue my adventures at Galbraith.

 



 

 



 

 



Sent to the Principal's office

This morning I made my way to the office to hang with Mrs. Van Son. (Boy she is a busy lady).

When I first was rolled in Mrs. Chase decided I needed my cage clean, van Son, that’s what I am calling her now because when  people walk in it: “van Son can you do this, van Son can you do that, van Son I need this and guess what, she does it!!!

 

Oh yah, I was talking about my cage cleaning. So Mrs. Chase cleaned my cage, she is a great lady, and Mrs. Durrant and van Son got to hold and play with me. Mrs. Durrant was a little afraid at first but I was really nice to her so that she won’t keep being afraid. Van Son let me snuggle into her jacket but then I thought it would be funny to run down her arm to see if she was afraid, but she just let me sneak around her jacket until my cage was clean.

After a long cleaning night with Ms. Cinnamon and having fun this morning I was exhausted so I climbed into my little purple hut to have a nap.

I think I slept the whole morning despite all the  ringing and clicking and the other strange noises

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!

Last night was a BUSY, BUSY, BUSY night for me.  With all the snow, the halls and rooms were a little bit messier than usual.  I can't believe that Ms. Cinnamon (that's what I call her now cause we are BEST, BEST, BEST friends) has to clean the same things EVERY night.  You would think that the kids of Galbraith school would be cleaner. 
Ms. Cinnamon says she doesn't mind, though.  She loves her job!  Especially now that she has me to keep her company!  We talk about a lot of things, her and I.  Well, she does most of the talking and I SQUEAK my two cents. 
You sure do notice different things when you are short like me.  Do you know what my favorite thing about Ms. Cinnamon is?  Her RED SHOES!  Did you know she had RED SHOES!  They are awesome!  I'm thinking of getting myself a pair, well if I needed shoes, that is.

Worked hard again last night.  Can you guess where we are here?

In Grade Three!

HOWDY-HOWDY-HOWDY!  It was so much fun being a cowpoke in Ms. Clack’s classroom today!  The students sometimes sit an area they call “the Campfire Circle.” They “Round Up” word wall words and “lasso” good books.  I found it amazing to watch them listening to my adventures.  They seem to just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE my story!  Later, while rolling on the floor, I gave myself quite a headache as I bumped into chair legs and walls. This made the students giggle. I was happy to be back in my cozy cage.  They were very gentle with me as I was tuckered out from all my activity.  As I settled down for my morning sleep I heard someone whisper, “He’s the best hamster in the west!” YEE HAW-YEE HAW-YEE HAW!

 

 

Today, I spent the afternoon in Mrs. Inaba’s class. It was the perfect class to be in on a cold, wintery day. Instead of looking outside at the snow, I found myself looking at the “beachy” things in the classroom and it made me feel WARM-WARM-WARM! The students were so excited to meet me and once again, I impressed them all with my amazing rolling ability!  I have to say it never ceases to amaze me to see all the different types of shoes kids wear nowadays . . . red ones, blues ones and even pink ones!! After recess, I went to Computers with Mr. Scott and the students. They were checking out my blog as I explored the Computer lab in my ball. It was FUN-FUN-FUN! Poor Mrs. Inaba. I think I may have given her a heart-attack! When she opened the door to come in, I rolled right passed her and into the hallway. She quickly put me back and closed the door. Then I decided to give Mr. Scott a scare! When no one was looking, I popped the lid off my ball and started to run around the Computer lab! (Both Mrs. Inaba and Mr. Scott should have paid more attention to the first tip I gave them about hamsters being skillful “escape artists”!)  I can’t wait to see who I will meet tomorrow . . .

When Mrs. Chase came to get me I was so excited! She let me run around in my ball in the library.  Two preschool boys where there.  They would scream every time I rolled toward them.  Imagine, big boys screaming at little ole me!  Mrs. Chase explained that they weren't screaming because they were scared, but excited. 

Stop-Screaming-Giffin had to go with his dad and the bell rang for the end of the day.  Mrs. Chase put me in my cage and I was STARVING and DIRTY!  When your ball is your bathroom AND your cage, things can get a little dirty.  Everyone thought I was so cute when I was eating and washing myself.  I tell you when you're the STAR there is NO-NO-NO privacy!  How does a hamster get a break from all the attention?  Mrs. Chase has turned into the PAPARAZZI!