Beach Day!!

May 30th, 2013

Today was Beach Day!! The children brought their bathing suits and towels, and an infectious excitement that lit up our room like sunshine.

We began our day with open choice time in the classroom and there were several beach inspired activities happening such as making colorful fish, and fun sun colored squeeze bottles of paint!

Soon, we paused our work to have another music rehearsal with the Owls' class and Jason which showed off our beautiful singing voices. After music rehearsal, we stopped by the Library for a beachy story with Gwen...

When we returned to the classroom we were joined by a visitor who was welcomed into the folds of our Cardinal group and included in all the fun play going on!

Then it was time to head outside and join the other EC classrooms for BEACH DAY! There were sprinklers that twirled, sprinklers that wriggled, hoses, and even a little pool.

And after the ground had soaked up all the water it could handle, there were big puddles to splash in as well.

After the children had begun to settle on their towels enjoying the sun and the shade, Debbie brought us water ice to enjoy on the grass!

Beach Day was a fabulous success, enjoy these sunny smiles:

The children shared their experiences and what they enjoyed on this very special day:

Donny - "I liked the sprinkler with the little hoses sticking out."

Kendall - "I liked going in the pool."

Jacob - "I liked doing that squiggly thing that Kendall brought for us."

Evan: "I liked when the sprinkler went squiggly and the water went on my nose."

Radha - "I loved the popsicles."

Hannah - "I liked when I got all wet and soggy and then I played in the mud."

Carlito - "I liked when the grass had water in it and then I pretended the water was shooting out. I pretended it was lava water."

Violet - "I liked the cherry water ice."

Xander - "Having the water ice and playing Mario with Trace."

Stella - "Water Ice and when I sat with Samuel on his towel."

Jayden - "I liked when I got a turn with the ball and I passed it to Evan and then I went into the sprinkler."

Trace - "I liked going in the sprinkler."

Lilly - "I liked when I laid on my towel in the sun."

Kate - "The posicles!"

Kendall - "Going in the pool!"

What a wonderful day...the Cardinal teachers are planning fun days to round out our year together.

 Cardinals End of the Year Fun

The Cardinals have had an amazing year together- growing, learning, playing, sharing, caring, and connecting.  We would like to celebrate this year of growth with some good old fun while we prepare for our Spring Program and begin the transition to summer adventures.

 Thursday, May 30: Beach/Water Day

Please apply sunscreen in the morning at home and wear your bathing suit to school under your clothes. Water shoes, sunglasses, a complete change of clothes, a plastic bag and a towel will be needed!  Please no flip-flops!!!  It will get slippery outside as we play.  A special “summer” treat will be served.

Friday, May 31: School Closed

Family Conferences

Monday, June 3: Surprise Day

We will plan a fun day for our Cardinal children. We will let you know what is happening when you arrive at school. 

Tuesday, June 4:  Pajama Day

Wear your favorite jammies to school!  You may wear slippers and a robe.  Be sure to bring or wear shoes that are appropriate for the playground.

Wednesday, June 5:

Favorite Book Day

Throughout the year we have enjoyed many, many books in our classroom and from the LS library. Now we would love for you to bring in your favorite storybook to share from home!

Thursday, June 6:

Favorite Stuffed Animal Picnic Day

Bring in your favorite stuffed animal to school. No animal is too big or too small! The animals will enjoy all the fun a Cardinal day holds. We will enjoy our lunches with our animal friends outside if the weather cooperates or inside if it is wet. After lunch, the children will have a dress rehersal for the Spring Program from 12:30-2:30. We will have the opportunity to watch the other performers and practice our songs as well.

Friday, June 7:

Lower School Spring Program/ Arts Day and Spring Celebration 1:30-5:00 pm

Please join us in the Muller Auditorium as we share our Spring Program.  Do not forget your camera!

After the program, join the LS community for an afternoon of art and fun.

Monday, June 10: Dress Up/Costume Day

We know that our Cardinal friends also love dramatic play.  On this day, you may wear a favorite dress-up or costume to school. PLEASE REMEMBER NON-VIOLENT AND NOT SCARY!!!  (No weapons, superheroes, masks, etc.)  You may also choose something from our classroom dramatic play supply if you wish!

Tuesday, June 11: Surprise Day

We will plan a fun day for our Cardinal children. We will let you know what is happening when you arrive at school. J

        Wednesday, June 12:

Last Day of School

Dismissal at Noon

On this day we will have our last LS assembly at 8:20 am.  Then it will be time for the Cardinals friends to play, share a snack, reflect about our year, and enjoy some special good-bye moments together. We look forward to spending this last day celebrating the amazing year we have had together in the Cardinal classroom.

Happy SUMMER ADVENTURES!

Wednesday News

May 29th, 2013

It was a hot morning as the children came into the classroom and found areas to busy themselves. After the usual routine of sign in and question of the day, children made their way to the art studio where self portraits were being worked on.

Our monthly self portraits have become wonderfully detailed and the children take great pride in their artistic abilities. They eagerly ask, "Can I draw my self portrait now?"

Soon it was time to pause our morning work and meet on the rug where we were introduced to a visitor who the children took under their welcoming wings and included in their work around the classroom! The visitor was even able to accompany us to our special music rehearsal!

Jason had asked the Cardinal class and the Owls to come to his music room to work on our songs we will perform in the Spring Show! With smiling faces, the children sang beautifully, remembering all of the hand motions that accompany our song. Everyone is excited to step on stage and show all Jason has taught us.

Back in our classroom we decided it was time to head outside into the warm air for outdoor play!

The warm weather created ideal conditions for activities like exploring the plant life, splashing in the pond, building in the shady building area, or even listening to a story in the center of the climbing structure!

The group spread out across the entire outside space using all their senses on this beautiful day. 

We returned inside for some cooling down time before lunch and we began several artistic additions to our spring mural. 

We began work on a pond which will soon be going up, and even worked on some insects, discussing the different parts of insects that we hope to recreate while doing so! 

It was a beautiful Wednesday full of busy fun! 

Tomorrow will be Beach Day! Please come to class tomorrow with your child already in his or her bathing suit and sunscreen, as well as with water shoes and extra clothes to change into since there will be a lot of water play!! Water shoes and a change of sneakers or other footwear too for our afternoon! 

Tuesday News

May 28th, 2013

We were thrilled to be reunited as a class after the long Memorial Day weekend. And our first day back was a busy Tuesday! We began with going to Lower School assembly to see some of the final assembly performances by the older students.

There were several amazing presentations including musical performances as well as a fun fencing demonstration!

The children watched each performer on stage with interest and were a wonderful audience. 

Returning to the classroom, the flower shop was very busy with a new branch of flower artwork, hair dressing, and several of the children, and even the Cardinal teachers, ended up with beautiful new flower enhanced hair styles. 

The journal table was very active this morning as well! There were a lot of great Memorial Day weekend stories to be told, and the children worked on their kid writing skills, beginning the writing portion of their journals themselves rather than all dictation! 

Late in our morning, the children walked to the 4th grade fair which was moved into the gym due to uncooperative weather. The 4th graders were wonderful hosts, and had prepared games they thought the children might like to play!

At lunch time, the Cardinals had a wonderful lunch addition when Stella's Mom and Dad, Kristina and Andrew, came to make smoothies with the children in honor of Stella's birthday! 

As we had lunch, they helped the children pick out delicious fruit to blend together and make a fabulous treat.