Creative art

One morning during choice time, this happened. At first glance it looked like a disasterous mess. On closer inspection, I found a beautiful art 'installation'. Every child in the class worked on the project. The photos really don't do it justice! 

Teen numbers

A big focus this trimester in math is mastering the teen numbers: knowing how to read them, write them and conceptually understanding that teen numbers are ten and some more. To work on these skills we play a variety of games where we are counting orally, arranging the digits in order, and a few new math workplaces where these skills are practiced.
We also sing these two songs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=JPj29wfYfLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uedvwH6Ay18

This is a complicated and difficult skill for many kindergarteners so any practice outside of school would be great. This could be in the form of playing counting games in the car, playing teen go fish (you could make a simple version at home), asking your child to count out 18 of something and write the number (maybe they could eat 18 blueberries if they count and write it correctly!) and, of course, finding teen numbers in the world and talking about them is fabulous too!

Valentine's Day Box

I use the internet all the time for inspiration and guidance from professionals all around the country. This year I stumbled upon this fabulous idea for a family project connected to Valentine's Day. It is to create a Valentine's Box. I sent home a pink flier explaining what you should do, but in case it got lost:

Here's what you'll do! Find a box (about the size of a shoe box-some examples were made out of soda bottles) and turn it into something amazing! Paper mache, paint, paper, glue, glitter... A house, animal, character who your child loves, anything!

While I am opposed to real kindergarten homework, a collaborative, creative, fun project is right up my alley. You should leave a spot for cards to be put into the box and maybe even a hatch in the back to get everything out after our card exchange.

Need some inspiration? Check out http://www.simplykinder.com/valentines-box-family-project 

It will be really fun to see all of the different ideas when we celebrate on the 13th. If you have any questions, I'm always here!

Friendship

I just read this piece and it really spoke to me as a teacher and a mom. We often talk about learning being 'messy' but I need to remind myself often that part of learning at school is social learning- which can be just as messy, hard, hurtful, and wonderful. 

https://www.facebook.com/janetlansburyElevatingChildCare/posts/10153058903998669

Have you filled a bucket today?

When we came back from vacation we spent some time focusing on kindness. I used this fabulous book to address kindness:

This book sparked a great conversation about little things that make people feel good... Or bad. We thought about a lot of things that happen at school each day and sorted them into 'bucket fillers' or 'bucket dippers'.

Ask your child what this means. I recently read a great article about raising happy children. The overall message was that we should stress to kids that the most important thing in life is to be kind, rather than happy. Kindness, in itself, brings happiness. I've been embracing this idea in the classroom, at home and in my own daily interactions too. Have a kind (and happy!) day!

Nuts and Bolts

Welcome back and Happy New Year!
I have a few nuts and bolts to share with you:

Library- Because of the start of skiing, library will move to Thursday. After skiing, it will return to Friday afternoon.

Skiing- skis and poles should be labeled with your child's name and put out in front of the school on Friday morning. The kids and I have talked at length about packing a bag of their ski stuff to bring to school- snow pants, helmet, mittens, warm ski socks, neck gator, goggles, ski boots, hand warmers etc. all in the bag. If your child has a ski pass, that should come with them. If not, we will give them a ticket.
I recommend that they wear cozy clothes (long underwear or sweats, warm tops) to school to make the dressing for skiing easier.  Also, please make sure to send a note in telling us what your child will do after skiing- will you pick them up at the mountain after signing them out? Will they ride the bus back to school and then attend WASP? Or ride the bus home?
The first week of skiing is always a little  nerve wracking for the younger kids, but after they do it once, they are pros! I like to talk about it a lot and be as prepared as I can to make them feel better.

Drying Racks- do you have any clothes drying racks that you would be willing to donate to our class? I am hoping to get two racks to put on the stage for the snow gear after recess.