Thursday News

Throughout the Day on Thursday...

*We had Spanish with Alicia and experienced naming and recalling of body parts in Espanol. We also sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" using the Spanish terms we learned for head: cabeza, shoulder: hombro, knee: rodilla, toes: pies. 

Here are the full lyrics if you would like to practice and invite your child to sing with you:

Cabeza, hombros, rodillas
y dos pies
Cabeza, hombros, rodillas
y dos pies

Ojos, oidos, boca y una nariz
Cabeza, hombros, rodillas
y dos pies

*Shared sculptures and participated more in the creation process: The confidence and pride of the children in their artistic work is displayed as they often ask "Can I show this during Morning Meeting?". After Hannah walked around with her recycled sculpture today, the children were inspired to return to the studio to work. Children learning from children is an intrinsic form of motivation that sparks curiosity in a new way. This time, we introduced two new tools that Hannah used in her more complex sculpture including a stapler and exacto knife (with the aid of a teacher). This led to many children choosing to work in the studio during Choice Time.

*Journal Dictation and Drawing: In response to our prompt, "Draw a picture of something you like to do with your friends". The children enjoyed sharing daily activities and experiences with the Cardinal peers through their drawings and descriptions.

We spent the rest of the time connecting with each other and our surrounding environment in our outdoor space!

Pajama Day

February 28, 2013

Pajama Day was the most wonderful, fun, joyous day!  The children and teachers were fully connected and immersed in the spirit of community and friendship from the minute they entered the building this morning.  Hugging and greeting friends in pj's and introducing favorite lovies was observed throughout the classroom.  Changing things up a bit for children at this age so often stimulates a new appreciation and energy in their lives.  The exited feelings permeated the halls and classrooms of all of our EC wing and the positive vibes were truly contagious!  The children loved deciding if they wanted to relax and play on their sleeping mats as well as bring all of their lovies into the classroom for play for the whole day.  Throughout the day our children had numerous opportunities to listen to stories read aloud and they absolutely loved the  informal, cozy reading time together.  We had a special snack and cooking activity to further support our Pajama Day concept that the children were very thrilled with.  We made waffles on a waffle iron and enjoyed fresh fruit, syrup and whipped cream to accompany this yummy snack. We also enjoyed cereal and milk today.

The four EC classrooms joined as a community in our classroom for a wonderful shared reading experience.  Debbie read several favorite books that she felt embodied the spirit of the day. Debbie read, The Napping House, Mortimer,  and The I Love You.  This was a meaningful experience where the four classes reconnected with familiar faces and friends as a whole group. The happiness and joy was clearly felt throughout the day and expressed by our children in conversations.

Building, playing in the Dramatic Play area as well as playing outdoors was especially fun in pajamas!

Christina shared with us her incredible gifts of music today. We knew that she is a very gifted vocalist and when we returned form outdoor play, we were all snuggled on the rug and we asked her if she would sing one of her favorite songs to us.  The experience was so moving and enlightening for all of us. We learned that Christina started singing lessons when she was six years old and she has loved singing and music all of her life.  She especially loves to sing opera and the children had the gift of being exposed to this type of music today as well.  The impromptu performance was magical and we feel that this will be the beginning of developing our curriculum where the children have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of music.