It's Time to Tap a Tree!

 What makes Vermonters able to put up with Mud Season? ...Maple Syrup!  Yes, it's that time of year and on Friday we tapped a tree in the Orchard woods.  As if on cue, we stepped back in anticipation and saw a few drops of sap dipping off the spile (that's the metal spout that "tapped" into the drilled hole if you didn't know). I'm not sure how much sap we'll collect, but we're going to learn about the process of making syrup and how it's both changed and stayed the same over time. ...And, it's always fun to spend some time in the woods! 

Amazing Animal Month Continues...

 Some of the best learning that happens in Kindergarten (and school in general) is when the children are able to learn from one another.  Our sharing theme this month is providing this type of opportunity.  Have a look at one of our classmates sharing three cool facts about gorillas.

On Friday ALL the children had a chance to take on the role of teacher because that's what the class chose to do for our 100 Apple Core Celebration- "1/2 the day with "kids in charge and 1/2 the day with you was in charge" was how this scheme was explained to me and it went beautifully. Below you will see children leading the morning message routine and explaining activities at the doc cam. 

Two of our favorite animals right not continue to be Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig. We had a great time creating their likenesses with signature expressions and phrases in talking bubbles.  Below you can see the process but you'll have to revisit the blog next week for a look at the final pieces on display in the hallway.

Animals have been playing a roll in the children's self-directed play as well.  Here you can see an example of a popular choice at Explore Time- making "rides" for the stuffies.

Amazing Amimals Month Kicks Off

 Frequent readers of the blog (or classroom newsletter) might know that every month we share on a theme in our classroom.  March's theme is "Amazing Animals".  To go along with this, our pretend area has become a Vet's office and in Workshop, we have immersed ourselves in Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie books! In this blog post you will see Kindergarteners taking extraordinary care as they examine and treat stuffie pets in the Vet's office and learn to draw Gerald the elephant and Piggie the Pig in Mo Willems' style. What you might not be able to see from the photos, is the care they are showing for one another as they take turns in the pretend area (both trading off roles and rotating through in groups of 3), AND as they negotiate learning to draw step by step but in a whole group!  They are a wonderful crew.