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Whimsical Tree House

Today's tree house post is by a student with a gift for descriptive narrative!

The Ultimate Tree House

White, pearl-like orbs hang in various sizes like a solar system. Their center - the largest orb with a diameter of 15 feet - hangs nestled between towering trees. Within the orb there lies a kitchen-living room combo with curved windows along the equator. The floor is a polished cherry, and the cabinets are slick and reflective.

As one heads toward the perimeter one will find a total of three much smaller orbs, each with a diameter of 10 feet. One houses a bathroom, another a bedroom, and the last is storage.

Bridges drape like candy worms from mouths to connect the orbs. Stairs twist around trees, and lights hand from branches like noodles.

Along the periphery there lies great plant life of shrubs and tall grasses. Above the periphery hangs a walkway: it forms a circle with wooden panels and trees for columns. Bridges create connections to the orbs from this path and as well as the pathway, have rope handles decorated with flowers.

The Ultimate Tree House

It's summer and school's out! Except school's not out at the Hospital School so our students are dreaming of summer activities. They wrote about their ultimate tree house using this prompt from visualwritingprompts.files.wordpress.com and today we'll highlight one student's poem and another tree house dream tomorrow.

The Ultimate Tree House

Deep in a forest

up in a tree

lies a nice tree house

built just for me.

Up the long ladder

through the trap door

it makes the Queen's palace

look like a bore.

Swings, trampolines, and ropes

oh my!

Down on the zipline

you feel like you fly.

In my big bedroom

there lies a big bed

and on my big pillow

lies my small head.

I love my nice tree house

up in a tree

deep in a forest

built just for me.

Ukeleles and More

The Academic Troubadour Program was able to bring back a student favorite, William the ukulele instructor.  William worked with several students today, not only with ukuleles but also a banjo, mandolin, and guitar.  Student learned several songs in both English and Spanish, and played them after a brief lesson from William.  The instruction also included popular songs such as "Let it Go" and childhood classics such as "How Much is That Doggy in the Window?" Cheerful songs were heard all day and all the student who participated left smiling.

Art with Kim

With music from Madagascar playing in the background, Kim Murdock from Afterschool Art and More led the students through a drawing lesson in a calm and supportive atmosphere. She has been in business working with schools and community programs since 2007 and started coming to the Hospital School in December 2014.  "Doing art in the Hospital School is a good way to connect with even more kids in the community." With her step by step instructions, all of the students were able to successfully create beautiful art! Check out her website and like her on Facebook.

Czar the Elephant

On Wednesday, May 13^th the North Carolina Zoo visited the Hospital School and students being served in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic.  There was a life size puzzle of Czar put together on the floor for students and staff to see how big elephants really are.  During eye surgery for cataracts Czar was measured and a life size cut out puzzle was made. Students and staff were able to lay down and compare their size to Czar.  Students also got to compare the size if their hands to Gorilla and Polar Bear hands and paws.  Even the biggest students felt small in comparison to these animals.

Space Weather!

Healing and Hope through Science and the Morehead Planetarium brought a mobile dome to the NC Children's Hospital Thursday so children could experience a close up and personal view of "Wildest Weather in the Solar System" and "Constellations". "It is AWESOME!" exclaimed one 5 year old patient, a sentiment that was echoed by older kids and parents alike.