Those of us in the English Language Institute in International Programs at Colorado State University-Pueblo have been partying the past few weeks. I am just now getting the photos downloaded and posted. I realize that Easter happened a week ago, but I really did want to share a bit about our fun Easter Egg Dyeing Party we had on the Friday before Easter.
On Fridays, we always have an activity for our students. We have had some fun times throughout the semester by doing such things as riding the bus downtown to a coffee shop, touring the main library in town and a smaller branch library, walking along the Arkansas River and eating at the restaurant at the Nature Center. Each of these activities were planned to allow the students to become better acquainted with the community in which the University is located.
In order to familiarize the students with the campus itself, we held a scavenger hunt on campus. The students were not familiar with the term "scavenger hunt" and had never been on one. That didn't mean they didn't get into the activity with great enthusiasm. They had to quickly familiarize themselves with various sites, departments, and people around campus if they wanted to win. Once the hunt was on, the competitive nature of the teams became very apparent. Fun times!
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| Easter Egg Cake and Easter Bunny Cookies |
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| The Birthday Boy |
On the Friday before Easter, we had a cultural event activity. We dyed Easter eggs. None of the students had ever dyed Easter eggs before. They were excited to begin the new activity.
Since Easter Sunday was going to be Mauricio's birthday, we celebrated with an Easter egg cake before getting down to work.
The students had to protect the tables used for the activity and read the directions about how to dye the eggs before we could begin.
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| Reading the directions |
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| I think we need some vinegar |
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Shin had done her research. Before class, she had googled Easter Eggs on her iPad. She shows what the eggs should look like to the others.
We had 7 1/2 dozen eggs to dye. It took us three hours to color the ones that didn't get eaten. It was great fun!
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| A toast is made |
Woo Huck toasts us with something that is pink.
It is not champaign.
It is not champaign.
How many eggs have you eaten? Do you want some salt?
What could be better than coloring eggs and eating Easter bunny cookies?
Glitter was added for a special look.
A bunny face was drawn on the egg by using the practice drawing as a pattern.
The creativity of each participant was fun to see.
Shin was very proud of her eggs.
Mauricio was determined to dye an egg black. It didn't work, but he kept trying.
We decided to have a contest. This Happy Family entry was entered in the "Most Creative" category.
Jung Hee entered eggs that she called, "Woo Huck and Shin."
Our judges were our faithful volunteers, Walter and Alda.
This rainbow was entered in the "Most Beautiful" category.
Walter selected this egg as "Most Beautiful."
We made Easter baskets to distribute to others and to take home.
Every student must taste a Peep. They didn't like them at all!
I was given this beautiful basket to take home.
I will always treasure the memories we made this day. Working with international students is an enriching and rewarding adventure. Can you believe I get paid for having this much fun?
Stay tuned for this past week's party...
I think your job must be rewarding in so many ways, and having fun is just the icing!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of eggs! I like Woo Huck and Shin the best, but they're all cute, and I bet it was a lotta fun!
ReplyDeleteI think "Most Beautiful" egg is outstanding, too! It sure looks like you all had a great time... I am envious that you got to introduce them to learning how to dye all those eggs!
ReplyDeleteYes, these experiences are the perks of teaching.
ReplyDeletehow wonderful the party looked fun and the students seem to be enjoying it. you have the best job ever
ReplyDeleteOh this was fun!!! I LOVE Peeps! They don't know what they are missing:) I would love to teach a group like this and watch them learn.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to introduce such "big" children to the fun of egg dying.
ReplyDeleteExcellent example of Roy G Biv. They really showed some creativity.
I too craved but never succeeded with a black egg.
Sounds great stuff!
ReplyDeleteDelightful pictures. Those project days are what I miss about teaching.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!!!!! We are covering comma splices in my class for the 1378 time this semester. This looks like a lot more fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're having a great time. Thanks for the post. I've failed retirement a few times, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thewritinggift.blogspot.com/
This was so much fun to read and see. I love that you made them taste a Peep (much cuter than tasty), and that you get to share so many firsts with these cool kids.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you all had tons of fun! I am sure it will be a memory they long remember!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great activity! I forget that this is not a custom done around the world. Looks like they had a great time. Blessings, Joanne
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! It's so fun. I can tell you're a great teacher. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteElizabeth@ elizabethmueller.blogspot.com
I was beginning to think I was the only person in the world who didn't like peeps! I'm glad I have fellow anti-peepers!
ReplyDeleteI loved everything about this post, Sally -- what a great activity and way to talk about our culture! And it looked like everyone was having a fabulous time!
I envy you your ability to come up with a fascinating project as an ESL teacher.
ReplyDeleteMy husband used to send Peeps to his grown children every Easter!
You have some very creative students and it looks like they had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the "happy family" of eggs.
Sally, I can see why your students love you so much! What a whole lot of fun and a way for your International students to learn about our customs.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept and it sure looked like fun. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great activity! I can see why you love your work so much. I think I'd love working with students like this as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is so neat! What a wonderful, wonderful thing to do. I never thought about people not knowing about dying Easter eggs before. Is this only an American tradition?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by to see me, Sally. I hope that you have a wonderful rest of the week.
God bless,
Kathy M.
Woo Huck and Shin get my vote too.
ReplyDeleteI used to teach International Students but we didn't have as much fun as you. The best I managed was when I dressed everyone from my classes up as frogs and we all sang The Frog Chorus (you'll have to google that one...it's by Paul Mccartney) for a concert, having made frog masks first.
Lucky you. Looks like a great time.
Carol
The finished eggs looked lovely and I'm sure all the students enjoyed this fun idea.
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
This does look fun, absolutely. And what beautiful and original dyed eggs! You've documented the day so well.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I volunteered with Second Language Learners at the Learning Lab at CMC Breck (many years ago). The students were so respectful and appreciative. Yours were also VERY creative with eggs!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, to see such familiar traditions through fresh eyes and to share them with your students. And yes, you are indeed lucky to get paid for having fun!
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