The oak sleeps in the acorn.
-James Allen
Dear Community,
Friendships are forming! From having different partners during counting collections, sharing mirrors, building forts, gardening, to outside of school meetings and play, bonds are being made. One morning, we observed ALL students engaged in ONE deep learning activity. There was collaboration, communication, and exchange of many ideas.
Play continues to provide a platform for self expression: “daddy is going to work now” “he’s the dad, and I’m the son.” Our play is also flowing from park day to classroom. We play “family” and “snail house.” Our city has a mayor, trains, a house with a big parking garage, daddy’s work, and so much more. On park day mystery snail was part of some student’s play. The snail was going to get them. One suggested they attack it, the other suggested they feed it and take it home and take care of it then it will be nice to them. (life lesson through the language of play- amazing) Play is powerful! Play is a child’s right. Read about the roles of play and curiosity as foundations for learning.
Counting Collections are still part of our plan. Encourage your students to start their own collection and share with us. Illustrations Studies are still part of our classroom, did you see those expressive faces?! Ask your sprout about COLOR – TONE – FEELING. Ask about creepy yet fascinating! Have you asked about the ABC’s of our classroom?
We are thinking about forming a sewing club (fine motor skills, perseverance, recreation to demonstrate learning, art) and a gardening club (science, life cycle of a butterfly, parts of a plant, maintaining and documenting growth). Our last sewing club meeting involved cutting, stitching, drawing, tracing, stenciling and taping thread to our painted arms. Yes! Our watercolors were so captivating to some students that exploration of water colors on our skin, in our hair, and even on the Parent Teacher sprouted. Our Butterfly garden is located in the planters just outside the stairs leading down to the Fellowship Hall. Stop by and see our work. These are wonderful times for practicing brainstorming…please practice brainstorming with your sprouts. Write about your brainstorms in their journals!
Gender neutral relations inspire diversity. Here is a playful opinion on the myths of gender neutral parenting. At TKG: we encourage using ‘gardener(s)’ or names instead of “boys” and/or “girls.”
Our students are getting comfortable with asking for the classroom materials they need to create. They are getting comfortable with taking ownership of their plans. They are getting used to the idea of responsibility for their classroom and learning about what makes their peers pop!
Marine Mammal Care Center: We had our first field trip this week and we had fun. This was a personal way to study scientific progress: asking meaningful questions. As we explore the questions that came up at the Center we will expand on the scientific process by conducting careful investigations. Thanks to MJ and Renee for coordinating a day of mammals, recycling, music, coloring, observing and listening…not to mention hiking, map relations, communications, limit setting and decision making. Our classroom spirit travels with us wherever we go.
Overheard this week:
“Me and _____ get along now!”
“Waiting, it stinks!”
“Lets build something together!”
“I know how to fix it”
Next week:
Bill of Rights: establishing common language
Cleaning Up: A foundation of the community classroom and “when a child has already caught the “this job is no fun” infection, the remedy can be a short Special Time to strengthen her/his sense of connection.”Click here for additional resources from Hand In Hand Parenting.
Morning/Closing Gathering: Giving each student ample time to realize their thoughts and formulate their ideas
Listening: Giving each other uninterrupted time to share
Movie Making Provocation: “What captivates an audience?”
Thank you for packing healthy, minimally packaged lunches. Please continue to pack water and avoid juices and other sugared beverages.
The most effective teaching tool is modeling and “empowering others…is a learn-able skill.”
