Wonderful Wednesday !

June 5, 2013

Our "Favorite Book" Wednesday began wonderfully with all the children coming to school with so many beautiful stories to share. Before we settled into our reading, we walked over to the auditorium for a special music rehearsal with Jason and all the other EC classes to try out our songs on the stage. The Cardinals performed with ease on the big stage and are ready to share their talents with all the family and friends they love!

After rehearsal, the children took a moment to officially introduce their books to one another on our front rug. After hearing all the fun titles, several children took their open choice time this morning to read with a friend or teacher.

Our vegetable garden is doing so well!! We were so excited to see the lettuce and baby peppers in our garden. Melissa said we are ready to pick the lettuce and make a salad!

Journals work continues to be a busy area of our room!

Pajama Day!

Tuesday June 4th, 2013

Happy Pajama day!

The children came into the classroom in all their pj splendor, and found places to snuggle on the book rug, or found friends to show their fun, colorful pj's to around the classroom.

Soon it was time for Meeting for Worship, and the children set aside their lovies, grouping them on our rug so they could "have some shared silence" of their own while we walked over to the Meetinghouse with the rest of our Lower School friends. Meeting For Worship was really special today as it was our last gathering in the Meetinghouse for the school year.  Many of the 4th graders that will be moving onto to Middle School shared their feelings and sentiments about leaving Lower School and how much they loved and will miss the teachers and friends.  They all promised to visit often ! We have known several of these children since they were 3 or 4 and it is always such a special feeling to share in their milestones.

After MFW, we had rehearsal with Jason. Into the music room we headed, with all the other EC classrooms.

After an exceptional music practice, the children came back to the classroom for open choice time. During choice time we set up a special surprise for our Shannon who's birthday is today!

The Cardinals sang her Happy Birthday and presented Shannon with a card they had made for her.

Together we enjoyed  birthday cake and delicious chocolate chip cookies made by Donny and his family, on Shannon's special day.

Outdoor play was magnificent today! We could not have asked for more perfect weather to enjoy our outdoor classroom.

We had such a good time outside, it was decided we would have lunch in the outside space by our garden. When we had eaten our fill, everyone took a little extra time chasing butterflies, exploring our mud kitchen, and observing the growing plants in our garden before coming inside too cool off and rest our bodies after a busy pajama day!

A Surprise Monday

To begin our wonderful week of special events planned, we started with "Surprise Monday". The Cardinals arrived enthusiastically anticipating the events of the day. As we welcomed and greeted each other, the children already began picking up on the clues of the first part of the day. Our counters were lined with a blender, frozen fruit, milk and yogurt and the children began asking, "Ooh, what are we making?" In looking at all the ingredients, they figured out that these items were key components to making smoothies and were delighted in being able to make their own snack! Smoothie making proved to be an exercise in measuring and mixing as the children took turns and cooperated in this activity. Each child eagerly used the blender and participated in the cooking process with pride and a sense of accomplishment as a delicious mixture was created.

Our morning flowed seamlessly as were invited to visit Jeanne's second grade to find out what they have been learning. The children in second grade have been studying Egypt and created many books and projects to share the information and research they have gathered. There was a wealth of information shared with the Cardinals as our children had the opportunity to discuss and look at all the creations of second grade. Our children became more curious about the different aspects of  Egypt as the second graders shared what they had learned about the culture of the country. This was a wonderful display of children teaching children and it was an ideal way to continue to strengthen our bonds with older peers in our community. As the Cardinals see the work of their older friends, they become aware of the possibilities for themselves as they continue to grow in acknowledging and using their own talents!

Our surprise morning continued as we arrived back at the classroom and enjoyed "switch time" with the Dove Class. We visited each other's classrooms and participated in interesting activities including Moon Sand and Shaving Cream (sensory fun at its finest!).

Tomorrow is Pajama Day! Come to school in your favorite pajamas...slippers welcome (Just be sure to have shoes for outdoor fun as well!)

Our Cardinals have become performers and are very busy practicing for our Spring Concert and Arts Day which is set to begin at 1:30 pm in the Muller Auditorium on Friday, June 7th. We are excited to share our talents in Music and Art with our families on this very special day.