Ohmystinkinheck

Emelie’s science teacher, Mr. Gedelian (a.k.a. Mr. G.), gave all his students the opportunity to get extra credit. He challenged them to build a birdhouse - a complete birdhouse. Emelie is 2 points shy of having a 100 in her Science class, so she was ecstatic at the opportunity, and set about it quickly.

She decided on her own to use what we have on hand. She was a bit shorter in the “supplies” arena than she planned because Jeff had taken in the recyclables a couple of days before this assignment was given out. Still, making do with what we’ve managed to collect in a few days time, she set to work.

When I dropped her off at school today I was so proud of what she had created.

With a collection of plastic water and soft drink bottles, plastic bottle lids, paper labels on the bottles, bubble wrap from a recent shipment, paint leftover from her and Meredith’s room, and a few other odds and ends, she set to work.

In hindsight she wished she had enough plastic bottle labels to cover all the sides - she really liked the top the best.

I liked the diversity - especially the way the cut up plastic bottles reflected on this side of the bird house.

One of Emelie’s friends confessed her dad built hers - this upset Emelie. “It’s unfair that she gets extra credit for something she didn’t do!” Apparently this wasn’t the only case though, and so, we just told Emelie to let it go and be proud of the work she did ON HER OWN.

She is.

I know I am.

28 Responses to “If only I were a bird.”

1. Jen

   I think that’s the loveliest birdhouse I have ever seen.

2. MMM

   I like the idea that water can collect in the tops of the bottles (top of house), so the birds can have that to use!

3. bluejayecrafts

   What a great job!!! You should be proud that she was willing to do all of that work for only 2 points.
   My seventh graders teacher assigned a 250 word report that could replace a grade they were missing or hadn’t scored high enough. Unfortunely the report could be worth 2 points or 20 points if that was what you were missing. He didn’t think it was fair, so he didn’t do it. He only need the 2 points of a A. Oh, well.

4. amy

   love it!!!! genius. just kirtsy’d it!!!

5. Leigh

   I love it! It’s so beautiful and creative! Go, Emelie!!!

6. SparklieSunShine

   That’s awesome! I love the birdhouse and I love that Emelie takes pride in here grades. I was thrilled whenever I even got a D in school. (Oh yeah…I was a great student.)

   Now that I am in college I work very hard to get the best greats possible and getting an A feels oh so good. Hopefully Emelie feels this way already and that it continues.

7. SparklieSunShine

   When I said greats up there I meant grades. Whoops!

8. Gin

   Good Luck Emelie! I love your bird house. Can I make an order?!!

   Some parents want their children to earn better grades in school so badly that they make it themselves. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if the parent doing that wants to secretly go back to school and get better grades…

   Telling her to let it go was the best thing to do. Although, I can understand how it could be a difficult thing to do.

   Hope Emelie gets 110 in Science!

9. Mrs. Wilson

   She’s so imaginative! It looks like a great birdhouse!

   I loved science in school too, it’s great to see kids trying hard! I always felt a bit angry when I’d come to school with a project that I’d worked so hard on just to find that my friends’ parents pretty much did theirs for them. It totally sucks, but it’s great for the conscience when you do it yourself!

   Great job Emelie!

10. Angella

    I love it!

    She has your creative genes, it appears :)

11. BOSSY

    That is OUTstanding.

12. Rebecca

    Very nice job. Good for your daughter. (And I love her name!)

13. Shannon

    She could make a bird house with all those bottlecaps and that I could buy it. Very Cool. Stinks that some cheated to get the extra credit but they will always look for help in life.

14. neutron

    Whoa, are those water feeders on the top? Cool!

15. Mim

    That’s really cool!

    You need to let her know that we teachers know who does their own work and who let’s mom and/or dad do the majority.

    I hope she is proud of her wonderful creation.

16. Michelle

    She’s right, that’s not fair, and I hope Mim is right.

17. Mr. OMSH

    I love the birdhouse as well. Actually, we have plans to develop it into a directional antennae for our neighbor’s wireless internet connection…Think of the money we’ll save…!

18. citystreams

    What a neat idea! I might steal it next year for my Biology students. It would work really well with the environmental science unit and the ecosystem unit. Kudos to Mr. G!

19. Tami Sickels

    That is a great birdhouse. Very impressive and as a teacher (in another life) it makes me mad that a parent does his child’s work. We always battled that with my son and the science fair at the other school he went to.

20. Bonnie

    I’d like to know what type of bird would live there….well only the coolest of course!!!!

21. Angie Garza

    That is so creative! Good for her for doing her own work. My kids don’t want our help either. Last science project they did required the use of a hot plate and saudering iron. My husband “watched” them, and I admit it was hard to stand back and let them do it, but they did. Keep up the great work! ang

22. Amanda

    She should be proud! It’s an awesome birdhouse!

23. RebelRescuer

    I love the water collectors on top! Its like a hotel with a wet bar!!

24. Mandy

    I checked this out on yoru flickr page yesterday. I was wondering which kid created it. Emelie is very multitalented I see!

25. AnnieG

    What a great project. After 6 days of summer break, am looking for more projects to keep us busy!

26. Angie

    BRAVO! If I were a bird I’d move it right away!

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28. David

    What a great idea, i teach a shop class with a unit on bird house design. i always have the students choose their own design, materials and make a list. i will now add an environmental impact content description in the rubric for extra credit. good work Emelie