Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Big Crab Contest - 2019 - 9th annual

           9th Annual Big Crab Contest


Mrs. D's first grade class
At Easton Elementary School - Dobson Building



After a hiatus of three years, we returned to Mrs. D's  first grade class for an awe inspiring showing of Crab Drawing Talent. As usual, the pupils outdid themselves with succulent and enticing specimens of Callinectes sapidus:


So, let's jump right in with the contestants. Here's a picture at the end of the contest (ignore that grumpy guy in the middle).





This crab by Tayva was judged to be the Best Swimmer. You will note that she doesn't have swimmies. 
-----


Next we have an entry by Zakyren. This was felt to be the crab most like Mrs. D. Note that she is always moving with a smile on her face. 
------

This crab by Cleo was felt to be the most like Dr. C. Mostly because he is chubby chubby. The colors here are pretty striking.
-----


This crab by Ava was felt to be colorful. She is also celebrating a sunny day. Can't argue with that. 
-----

This crab by Makhail was felt to be the funniest since it is actually a turkey in disguise. Note that it is definitely not Thanksgiving. 
-----

This crab by Xavier was felt to be the toughest. Not in the sense that he would be hard to chew, but in the Arnold Schwarzenegger sense. (though he does have back eyes, can't win em all!)
-----


This crab by Daquan was felt to be the noisiest or loudest crab. He also seems to be engaged in crab talk. Indeed beware the "snip, snip snip!"
-----

Next we have Samantha's crab which was judged to be the tastiest. She has an impressive foreground to her work. I see art in her future.
-----

Emily's crab was judged to be the best flying crab. We don't know if it is self propelled or jumping off a trampoline. If the latter, BE CAREFUL!
-----


This is Pepper's crab. Initially we thought it was a sad crab but in retrospect, she was just looking out for the watermen and their boat floating around up above her.
-----
The judges all agreed that Gabe had the best family of crabs. Here they are, out for a stroll in the summertime.
-----

Nayon has submitted a very detailed crab and it was felt to be the most realistic. There is quite a bit of detail on this fellow. Not quite sure its a "hermit" crab but not to worry. Looks succulent. 
-----


Initially we thought that Madelyn had drawn the sweetest, cutest crab. Then we saw the sad boyfriend in the background, That's the way the cookie crumbles, buddy. 
-----


You know, all drawings tell a story. Rondell was felt to show a unusual crab with lots of legs. He is also saying "hi, class". Nice to know he likes his fellow students. On the other hand, it could be read as "high class."
-----


 
Jayden is pretty neat and particular, but he undoubtedly drew the fattest crab.
-----

Yoxelin was felt to have the happiest crab. How else can you explain the rainbow.
-----


Its hard to appreciate, but Ryleigh's crab is definitely a Diva. I don't know whether she's on stage or not but with a smattering of rhinestones and a crown, she is probably winning American Idol.
-----


With her smile and winsome ways, Griley's crab is a sure bet for being the Friendliest in the basket.
-----


This is one for the books. Not only did Sofia give us a great crab (Most Inventive), we also have real rocks and shells in the picture. (There is also a button???).  Great rainbow and birds? 
-----
While we felt there was evidence of great eyes, the consensus was that Dallana's crab classified as Slinky Crab. 
-----
It has been really a pleasure to work with Mrs. D's first grade classes over the years. It is so heartening to see children animated by learning. I know there a lot of problems with public education, but many have felt it is the backbone of America. I certainly believe that.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Big Crab Contest - 2016 - 8th Annual

Once again we are here to regale you with some delicious crabs courtesy of Mrs. D's First Grade Class at Easton Elementary School. The entries are in and the winners have been announced!

First, we only have a few pictures from the class taken at last years big Turkey Day Fest:

 Here is Mrs. D. dishing out the goodies.

 Yummy!

Lots of artwork here, the crabs will be hard to judge this year.

Now down to business. Keep in mind that these drawings were the creative art of the students themselves. (Sometimes with a little help from their friends.)

(Attention: There might be a few goofs with the names; things got a little confused at the end. But if you let me know I'll correct them.)


Kai comes in with the Bluest Crab. Maybe even one of the Blues Brothers?

 Without a doubt, Varnika has the most Colorful Crab. That might even be her under the lamp(?) in the right lower corner. 


Best Smile for Wendy. Glad she is into the tooth brushing. You should be too! Really exquisite detail.


 Here is the Happiest Crabs under the sun(s). Courtesy of Tylei.


 Cutest Crab for Erin. We took a little liberty with the size. But, you get the idea.


 Here we have that dynamic duo, the Cutest Couple, from Alexandra. I particularly like the Groucho Marxs on the left but then that shows my age. Ring in the vaudeville music. Watch the Crab Dance.


 Rudi drew the Smallest Crab this year. Actually, it is a quite artistic use of Space. Maybe Rudi will be an astronaut?


 Larisa shows us a Crab with the Most Legs. The Photoshop work on this one was tough.


 We think that the Best Maryland Crab (because all Maryland Crabs are True Blue) goes to Janely. Correct us (in the comments) if we are mistaken.


 Next we have the Reddest Crab by, none other than Ja'sian. As per our serious class discussion, blue crabs become red crabs when, well, when they are in the pot. But not the Crab Pot, which sits on the bottom of the Bay. All very confusing


 Next we have the Most Creative Crab by Brayner. There are a lot of interesting elements here including fishies and turtles (Terrapins?) and other guys.


 Adal weighs in with the Toughest Crab. That would not be in the culinary category, but rather in the WWE arena.

 The judges felt that Gabrielle's trio ranked as the Funniest Crabs. Sort of an Under the Sea routine. 


This giant came in as the Biggest Crab by Ana. It looks pretty succulent.  


 Note the bubbles. This classifies Janiyah's crab as the Best Swimmer. Amazing. You might also note the lipstick. One of those newfangled colors championed by the last governor of Alaska.


 Michelle gives us the Nicest Crab. The judges say this because of her crab's attention to her babies (we think). May they grow up to populate the Bay.


 Alison's three crabs were felt to be, well, the Crabbiest Crabs. They do have Maryland colors, though.


 Last but not least, we suspect this is Tisin's crab and it was judged to be the Fattest Crab. Ready for the feast, but don't tell him.

So, there you are. Once again one has to be impressed by the inventiveness of these children. We hoped they enjoyed their prize, a gift certificate to the News Center bookshop. Read, Read, Read. 

Note: Two of our readers in England, Felix Grant, and Ray Girvan, have sadly moved on to higher things. Both were highly intelligent, erudite and will be sorely missed.
Dr. C.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Big Crab Contest - 2015 - 7th Annual


Mrs D's First Grade at the Big Holiday Party

 Here are the winning crabs from this year, 
ta-da-dee-da!


Alayia-Looks Most Like Mrs. D


Alexa-Happiest


Anna-Reddest


Carter-Tastiest


Cervantes-Most Like a Robot

Cristhian-Most Crabs on a Page


Dulce-Longest Claws


Frank-Most Friendly to the Environment


Ian-Best Hidden Crab


Jonah-Coolest Crab


Juan-Most Realistic Crab


Kai-Looks Most Like Dr. C.
My super powers enable me to consume a pound of white chocolate at one sitting.


Kaleah-Most Bashful



 Kaylee-Bluest


Kyle-The Maryland Crab


Kylie-Best All Around Crab


Marleigh-Slitheriest


Mia-Fattest Crab


Nijayah-Best Eyes


Noah-Most Colorful


Nyseem-Toughest Crab


Rah'Zir-Most Artistic


Wesler-Strongest

See you next year!