Ice Skating in Texas

In Texas, we don't get much ice/snow/real winter. If we want to go ice skating, we have to go to a mall that has an ice rink around Christmas time.

When I arrived to school this morning, the ramp to my portable was completely iced over. There was not a single spot of wood ramp exposed. The railing was also covered in ice, as were the steps at my apartment and my car this morning. I almost ate it walking up and down the ramp before I had the kids this morning. I was a bit concerned that they would make fun with it and end up hurt. As we walked up the ramp, I demanded they hold the railing. This was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. They were all pulling themselves up the ramp one railing section at a time. (It was not until 9:30 that an announcement was made to hold the railings when walking on the portable ramps.) They even attempted a bit of sliding around and playing...too bad I was being super strict about it. I did not want any kids to fall and bust their heads open. I already was missing half of my class (due to tardies and absences), I didn't need the rest of them in the nurse's office.

Every other time we walked up and down the ramp, the ice was slowly melting. Most of the kiddos thought this meant it was okay for them to slide around on the ice a bit. This meant that there was a bit of safety room they could slide into if the ice skating didn't work. I just got annoyed. I know we don't see ice very often, but I was that teacher who doesn't let them enjoy it. In my defense, if the ice hadn't been under their feet, they could have enjoyed it all they wanted.

Today's Bonus Science Lesson: The ice began to melt from the roofs of the portables. We got to talk about changing states of matter and what causes it. (I also believe that was something they had trouble with on their benchmark, so it was double bonus.)