WALLER TEACHERS TAKE STUDENTS ON A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD

    It's been a whirlwind trip this week at Waller Elementary, where students and teachers have visited the Fiji Islands, Italy, Australia and Mexico without ever actually leaving school.

  For the last few weeks students have learned about these countries and what makes them unique, from their geography and native animals to landmarks and languages. Then it really got fun this week. As part of Teachers Appreciation Week, each hallway was themed around a particular country.

  A walk down the fifth grade hall took you to the Fiji Islands, where you smelled whiffs of coconut, enjoyed the beach and saw scenic palm trees and a volcano. Teacher Michele Irvine had her students design travel brochures after learning about the country, a place they may never have known about before.

  Visitors were taken to the Outback on the second and third grade hall and transported to Mexico down another.

  Fourth graders showed their amore for Italy. That means love, of course, in Italian. They created their own interpretations of the Mona Lisa, gondolas drifted down the hallway and tables were set up with spaghetti on the menu as Italian music played in the background.

  The real fun, though, was how the teachers got into it. Each day they dressed in costumes according to the country they were celebrating and let's just say they definitely got creative! The PTO made it extra special by catering lunch each day. Olive Garden was on the menu for Italy's day and a big hit.

  What a way to celebrate Teachers Appreciation Week, get kids excited about learning geography 'and' have fun -- all at the same time!