Goodbye to Summer

When we spray paint with watercolors together, we have double the fun!

Integrating our emergent science topic of the change of seasons with literacy development, we each remembered our glorious summer experiences. Everyone shared at least one thought about what s/he would miss about summer. Clipboard in hand, Cathy recorded the lines in writing while I kept the questions and thought processes flowing. In the end, all the thoughtful threads were woven together to create this beautiful poem...Enjoy!

Goodbye to Summer
By
The Bear Cubs

Goodbye to watermelon,
And ripe, juicy berries.
Goodbye to drippy ice cream cones
And licking icy popsicles.

Goodbye to tank-tops
And shorts,
Sundresses,
And swimsuits.

Goodbye to staying up late,
Riding my bicycle,
And taking walks after dinner
While it’s still light outside.

Goodbye to running through the sprinkler
On a hot day.
Goodbye to making flower necklaces
While I play in my garden.

Goodbye to picnics at the zoo,
And fishing with my dad.
Goodbye to the birds,
Flying to where it’s always summer.

Goodbye to camping in the mountains
And swimming in cold lakes.
Goodbye to roasting marshmallows
Around a fire at the beach .

Goodbye to being warm at sunset,
When it takes s-o-o-o long to get dark.
Goodbye Warm, Sweet Summer…
We’ll see you again next year!

Random (and Intentional) Acts of Kindness

This week, we are focusing on understanding being kind... What makes an act of kindness? How does it feel to be kind? How does it feel to receive kindness from others? Does it take much time to be kind? We are practicing acts of kindness and discussing them as we recall the kindnesses received during the morning at circle. During both morning reading and afternoon literature circle, we are reading books that show examples of kind (and sometimes not so kind) choices that we sometimes make.

Tomorrow we will introduce our "Kindness Crystals" to the children. People who receive an act of kindness can tell the group about it at circle time and nominate the person giving kindness to put a kindness crystal in our treasure chest. When the little chest is full, overflowing with kindness, we will celebrate by doing something special in class! This is a surprise, so please wait for your child to tell you about the kindness crystals! By the way, the crystals are acrylic and not leaded glass crystals---so they are safe for the children to handle.

We will have our first substitute in the classroom tomorrow... Cathy will be taking her daughter to college and helping her get settled in. (Actually, we all know that we parents need to do this for our own peace of mind---our nearly grown up kids would just as soon take off with the car and find their own dorm room! I'm laughing because I know that I'll be doing the same thing in a couple of years...) Anyway, our sub is named Amy and she'll be here just for the morning. We have told the children about why Cathy won't be here, and perhaps you could remind your child tomorrow---Merci!

Next week we'll be reading, discussing and celebrating fall, as the autumnal equinox is on Tuesday. We are also planning a field trip to a farm in mid to late October... we'll keep you posted about the exact date we line up.

Remember that Curriculum Night is coming up soon, on October 1st!

Thanks,
Judith

Our First Week All Together! 9-9-09

Science and Math Explorations Smiles and Laughter as we become Friends

Language, Communication and Cooperation

Art as Self-Expression offers experience valuable for reading and writing

Sensory Exploration of Texture

Scooping, Measuring and Pouring involves Motor, Perceptual and Math Skills...

And takes considerable Concentration!

Enthusiasm and Engagement

Decorating our Portfolios with Stampers is so much fun!

Blocks as Math... Building intentionally using concepts of shape, size and symmetry

We have had a wonderful first week getting to know one another, exploring materials, creating a daily routine, making our folders, portfolios and placemats. We have already used three of the four personal photos you sent in to make identity labels on these projects! Every child has told us that "School is fun!" We are so happy to be together!

Judith

Retuning Bear Cubs Prepare for New Friends!

We're getting ready for our new Bear Cubs to join us in the Early Learning Center! We're talking lots about "being leaders"
to help our new friends learn the classroom routine. We are making cards to welcome new ELC students when they arrive next week on Tuesday (see photo). All day students are describing, drawing and reading books on the topic of "Summer" at our after lunch "literacy circle." We're looking forward to the whole class being here next week!
Judith