It's Tuesday and Time for Sun!

They say is picture is worth a thousand words 

and nothing says "spring is coming" more than a picture like this...

This photo of a crocus was sent in by one of our classmates who spotted it while on a bike ride.  Although it's been raining for the last two days, it's looking better for today!  Maybe a lamb day? Below you can see both the indoor and outdoor adventures of some of your friends:

family time by the water, fun with a worm farm and...

finding Vermont on a United States Puzzle!

And that's my challenge to you all, try to look at a map today- maybe in a book, or online or...make a map of your own.  I will give you an idea in my video.

Monday's Message

Hello Room 28!  Often when we return to school after a weekend, I tell the kids that I've missed them and I know this is strange but I feel the same way now after two days away from the blog!  Here's what's happened- 

* One classmate offered a really nice "That was COOL!" in response to his friend's on-line Candle Day.

* Another classmate was inspired to try some "volcanoes" of his own at home.

* Some more friends sent me pics of that they've been up to- working, playing, reading, painting (I will share below).

*And new packets are ready to roll from Orchard School today!

Friend Filled Friday

Today I'm leading off with a video- it was tricky to organize this post.  I hope you enjoy.

It's a special day on the blog today because IF we were in school this week we would have celebrated a L.'s Candle Day!  Lucky for all of us, she and her family have given us a video of their now twice famous (thanks to an older brother) GLITTER VOLCANO!
Get ready to enter the lab and practice some baking soda and vinegar chemistry with a Kindergarten friend.

Glitter Volcano!

That was a real treat!  I wonder how many of you will want to try that at home?  Here's a quick look at what some other friends have been up to.  

Think it Through Thursday

It's muddy outside, we're staying safe in our homes, and there is so much uncertainty. Through all of this, one thing that's lifting my spirits is finding new ways to connect.  I hope you are finding new ways too and that this blog is one of them.  Here are some of the latest pics that friends have shared.  It's great to see kiddos setting aside time to keep up with school work and even challenge themselves with new learning. Take a look at one answer (correct I might add) to yesterday's "Mystery Word" from the video before checking out today's video.

Wednesday Wonderings?

Good morning Room 28!  If we were together at school today it would be a "double special" day with PE and Music. If you are using the Continuity of Learning Grid, be sure to check out the links that Mr. Hamlin and Mrs. Frostman contributed.  Since we're not together, I thought you might be wondering about what everyone is up to. I REALLY appreciate the photos that you've shared with me and I'm posting some so that you can see one another.  Below you can see some classmates receiving their packets, writing, drawing, coloring and keeping up with their learning. Scroll below the pictures for today's video!

Words for a Snowy Tuesday

Good SNOWY morning!  I know we heard it was coming but when I walked Willie last night in 6 inches of snow I was pretty amazed.  Willie has always reminded me of Tad Hills' character, Rocket who is one of our classroom's stuffed mascots.  He reminds us how engaging stories can be and how the work it takes to learn to read is worth it!  (Rocket's teacher is pretty determined too!). There's a link below to listen to How Rocket Learned to Read .  In my video I will explain how when I walk Willie I often talk to him like I'm teaching him new words.

Click to play the story!

First Monday of Distance Learning

Here we go!

I'm at Orchard this morning making sure that all those packets get on the buses and I just made a Monday morning video for you.  Check it out and I hope you enjoy finding your menu of learning opportunities to last the whole week. In the video I remind everyone to look for the Menu (it looks like a M-F schedule)- this is your guide to the packet.

Friday Feelings

As you can see the blog postings have shifted from being a way to share about "the week that was", to being a way that we can stay in touch on a daily basis.  This is of course due to the Distance Learning Protocol that we are all practicing. As we work out the kinks, I hope to be able to post photos of some of the things students are working on through their distance learning.  Here's a look at a few animals that I saw on my walk today.  Check out this Wooly Bear Caterpillar and then, see if you can spot the animal in the distance that Willie the puppy is looking at.

Here is a link to a great online book resource from Mrs. Macdonald.

TumbleBook Library - K-6 children's ebook database
Direct Link: https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/auto_login.aspx?U=tumble735&P=books

And today's video...

Hello to Room 28!

It was our first official day of the school dismissal and I spent time with the other Kindergarten teachers preparing materials for the children to work on at home (with a little family help). I was thinking about how much fun we had retelling the story of Strega Nona with popsicle stick puppets and I thought it might be fun to hear the story again.
Click on this link below and you can hear Tomie dePaola HIMSELF reading Strega Nona!

Strega Nona story

And here's a new video chat from me...

A Video Hello- Is it a lion day or a lamb day?

I'm trying out communicating with you through video.  Let's give it a go...  Click on the link below to try!

Tapping, Tasting, and Testing our Design Skills

Last week was marked by several special hands-on learning experiences.  Outside of the classroom we spent almost an entire day on the beautiful grounds of Shelburne Farms learning about where maple syrup comes from and how it's made.  We also taste tested two varieties, "Amber Rich" and "Dark Robust".  Below you can see us pretending to tap a tree and boil the sap in an evaporator.  You can also see us measuring, tapping, and thanking a real tree.

Back in the classroom we worked on a Force and Motion Challenge with our big Buddies. In pairs and trios we tried to see if we could: make a marble roll the length of a paper, turn a corner, move an object, and hit a target ALL without directly touching the marble!  Have a look:

Celebrate Good Times Come On!

What a three day week!  We returned from break about 12 apples away from our goal of 100 and it didn't take the children long to earn them so... Friday was a day to celebrate!
We called our celebration "Popcorn, Pink Lemonade, and Posters" but should have added "Pop Songs" to that title.  For about half an hour we snacked, colored name posters, and listened to the Kids Bop versions of some favorite pop songs.  Super fun!

Earlier in the week in the week we talked about our new signs of spring sharing theme.  Mrs. Freeman showed us a crocus from her yard!...And we painted rainbows for our March calendar.

Other cool happenings this week included a census activity with Miss Kathy in Math.  Miss Kathy explained what a census is and taught us a song called "Everyone Counts".  After each child completed a form about who lives in their home, we had a whole group activity about counting on.  I believe that everyone in all our homes totaled 73.

 Designing with pattern blocks continues to be a "go to" free time activity for so many friends.  Here's a look at some of the latest.