Learning From One Another

Some super moments in work and play last week came about when classmates inspired each other with their hard work, creative ideas and positive attitudes.  We've had some discussions about how the way we act effects those around us and how kindness really makes a difference.  I hope you can see the way the children are supporting and respecting one another in the pictures below. I slipped in two photos from our Halloween celebration as well!

All in a Three Day Week

It may have been short, but we used every minute last week to go deeper and learn more.  On Monday, I took the children outside to the rock circle to create rock paper rubbings (much the way that Leo Lionni would have done) so we could have paper rocks for our mural of the Fredrick story.  Here is a picture of us putting it together after already having made paper mice just the way Leo did.

After school on Monday Ms.Verrill (third grade teacher) and I attended a Farm to School gathering as teacher representatives among all kinds of professionals connected to the initiative.  We are so fortunate in SB to have the support of parent volunteers and Common Roots in this endeavor.

Rounding out some important activities this week were some practice on white boards making sentences with popcorn words, contsructing paper chains that show combinations that total five, and collecting materials in the woods to make fairy houses in the courtyard.  Have a look!

 

Big Buddies and Bigger Buddies

Getting together with our fifth grade buddies is a highlight for our class every week and this week was no exception.  On Wednesday I was fortunate to have help putting the gardens to bed from a group of students from SBHS.  The crew was very industrious and with some careful planning they were able to pick some apples from our favorite tree and help our class make applesauce'  I think the High School crew has so much fun working (and playing) that they want to come back in the spring!  Later that day, of fifth grade friends helped us with a Fall Scavenger Hunt.  Take a look at the scarecrow hiding in the raspberries. 

Let's Hear it for the FUN RUN!

The first annual Orchard School Fun Run was a great success!  I speak for many teachers when I say that we are very grateful to the PTO organizers who put together a healthy, inclusive, school wide event that raised a record amount of funds for the school.  Here's a look at us getting ready to run and a shot looking back at the pack of kindergartners.

Spotlight on Math

 Our Math block has several components- a brief focus activity as the children transition from snack, Number Corner (a daily routine that reinforces counting, patterning, ways to make ten and computational fluency), whole group instruction and hands on practice.  Below you can see Miss Jane leading Number Corner and I hope it's evident by the students' body language how engaging they find this routine.  You can also see the children at tables- working hard at either shaking two-colored beans to make combinations of five or rolling a dice to recognize dot patterns and reinforce numeral recognition.  

What does it mean to focus?

The apple orchard was certainly a highlight of our week but something else that's important to share is how we've been talking about what it means to focus- to be thinking about just one thing.  As a part of the mindfulness work I do with the children we've discussed that our brains learn best when they are calm and quiet.  We've talked about thoughts being like bubbles that float in and out and sometimes you need to let go of all the thought bubbles that aren't about what you're doing "right NOW".  These photos struck me because they show not only what focusing can look like, but also the proud feeling that can result from a period of focused, concentrated effort.

Red apples, yellow apples, green apples too...

...Everyone says they're good for you!  The title and first line of this week's blog post is taken right from the poem that we've been reciting as we learn some of the science behind the life cyle of the apple.  Here's a look at our trip to Hackett's Orchard.  You will see us: listening to our tour leader about how to pick apples without hurting the tree, admiring the apples we picked, singing "Happy Birthday" to Mr. Hackett (he turned 83), marveling at a huge pumpkin and chilling after lunch.

Variety is the Spice of Life

One of the reasons I enjoy blogging about our classroom is that it allows me to show "how" we do things- the process and not just a finished product.  We are still in the very beginning sessions of Reader's Workshop but already the children are figuring out how much they can learn from one another and that "two heads can be better than one".  Take a look at some of the different ways classmates are engaging with books: with a partner, in a group, as listeners to Miss Emily, or individually completing an entry in a Word Book.

Similarly in Math, our focus on numeral and shape recognition continues and expands but through many different ways:

with big buddies, in a game with partners and through whole group instruction. And of course this focused work in literacy and math is balanced with time outside, time to play and time for art experiences like Leaf Rubbing!