Origami, Robots and Radio...Really?

During Thursday's Zoom we had fun with origami!  Have a look at us sharing our puppy and cat faces-

The children did a super job following step by step directions and I put links to the the two projects we did in this week's newsletter in case they'd like to try them again.

I received this journal entry from a classmate who was responding to the writing prompt- "if you could be a non-living thing for a day what would you be?"

It definitely got me thinking about how I would answer the question!

Regular readers of the blog may have noticed that I added some information to yesterday's post about upcoming children's programming on VPR without much explanation. I deleted it from there and I'm including it here so those of you who think your kiddos might be interested can follow up. I think it is a cool opportunity for a Kindergartener to ask the Governor a question. I bet if you speak really clearly they may take the question-even if it's intended for older elementary students!  Scroll down for my video!

VPR

But Why Live: Words (May 29^th) and a Press Conference for Kids with Governor Phil Scott (June 5^th)

On Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m., But Why will focus on words with linguist and Lexicon Valley podcast host John McWhorter. He will be answering your questions about the origins of words and languages.

On Friday, June 5th at 1:00 p.m. Vermont Governor Phil Scott will join But Why Live on Vermont Public Radio for a special kid press conference. First, students will learn what a press conference is and how journalists think about what questions to ask. VPR reporter Peter Hirschfeld will guide us through that. Then Governor Scott will join us to field questions from kids for the rest of the hour. This is an opportunity for students to ask questions about whatever is on their minds. This episode is targeted at students in grades 3-6, but the phone lines will be open to all students. Students can send written or audio recordings of questions ahead of time to questions@butwhykids.org or call in live while the program is on the air. An audio recording of the press conference will be available at But Why after the program.

We Are Busy!

As a class we are doing exactly what we should be: getting together for zooms, furthering our learning through activities on the grid and on our own, and being creative and active.  Let's have a look...

We're working hard inside, building fairy houses outside...

keeping up with journaling and taking some time to enjoy the amazing, sunny weather.

Experimenting with the science of shadows...

and solving math problems about how many days left in school!  Check it out-

What About a Math Challenge?

How do the days speed up after Memorial Day EVEN when we are teaching and learning remotely? It's Wednesday already and I have a math challenge for the children that was created by one of our classmates! Here it is in written form and I will also talk it through in the video below.

"Calvin has 9 pencils and Norbu has 11 pencils. Norbu gives 6 pencils to John -John and takes 3 pencils from Calvin. How many do Calvin and Norbu have now?"  

I look forward to emails with the children's answers and maybe even a photo if they work it out on paper or their white board.

Heading Into Week Nine

Today is a busy day for Kindergarten Families.  They are meeting the bus to receive the week's packet AND attending a Zoom meeting along with all the other work and school commitments for parents and siblings.  Short weeks often start with a bang!  I'm looking forward to receiving some pictures of what children did over the long weekend and I'm going to make a video showing how my sunflowers have grown to post later in the week but until then, 
Kindergarteners- see if you can remember this:

Sunflower, Sunflower 

Standing tall

Swaying in the wind.

Your petals fall

Your stem bends down

Your seeds will sprout again.

New Trends, Old Friends

During today's Zoom I noticed that even though we haven't been together as a group IN PERSON for over two months, our connections are still strong.  The children are excited to share their news with classmates who they know will understand and appreciate what they have to say. And, they remember each other's interests so well that playing "Guess That Animal" was easier than I anticipated.  Speaking of animals, one of our classmates visited a farm and got up close with some chicks...and some asparagus!

In keeping with this farm theme, I wanted to share this  throwback photo with everyone because it's what came to my mind when I recently met some goats.  A friend wanted to tell me all about her three goats but I all could think of was my kindergarteners performing their puppet versions of The Three Billy Goats Gruff!

Staying Connected Staying Strong

I asked for you to share your adventures and you did!  Two classmates spent time at the lake- one did some treasure hunting with a metal detector.

Whether by the lake or out on the sidewalk, Room 28 kids are staying active!

And of course we are continuing to learn about plants and reading and writing about seeds.

And what warm sunny day isn't made more fun with a water balloon break?  I think you can see the anticipation in this picture.

Early this morning I received a few more emails about adventures but I need to save something for tomorrow!  Stay tuned.

What Did You Do Outside Yesterday?

I'm wondering a lot about how this weather is effecting school at home.  If we were AT school during weather like this we'd be feeling the call of the outdoors so I'm guessing it's the same at home.  With that in mind we'll be planning more outdoor and independent learning experiences on the June grids.  BUT before I get ahead of myself, let's talk about right now- the blog is a great place to share photos of the places you go (even your yards and front stoops), your gardens, your fairy houses, your invented games indoor and out. Keep the pictures coming!  I will start us off.  On a walk on Sunday I saw a fox!  Can you find it in the picture below?  And Willie met a friend named Wally.  Too cute.  Now is your turn! Let's share pics of backyard birds and any fun in the sun.

What's Going On in Week 8?

On this week's learning grid the children are continuing to learn about plants.  Ms. Garland shares a fun video of a cool way she starts her plants indoors without soil at all!  It's possible.  On Thursday the story Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens is featured and I narrate a follow up activity over video where children can put together a paper garden with special attention to the parts of vegetables that grow on top of and below the ground.  Of course there's a new math menu, a chance to write a book review, and over the weekend pages!  Have a look at friends in their garden, answering the Monday mystery word (in two ways!), and sharing about their weekends.

The top solution was a creative one I hadn't thought of!

Writing can be hard to see but this friend has multiple family
birthdays in this month.

The weather today is going to be fabulous.  I hope everyone gets outside!

What a Weekend!

Starting on Friday I began receiving incredible emails with photos and videos that I knew IMMEDIATELY I would want to share.

In the mood for a little science?  Try to guess what two substances (one is a liquid and one is a solid) were at play here. Click on the yellow link to see a classmate's experiment.

Backyard Science

Remember Friday's VIRTUAL all school morning meeting?  Have a look at one of our classmates playing Four Corners in his home.

Feeling artistic OR artistic and committed to reduce, reuse, recycle?

Here's an idea...

Maybe it's physical activity your craving...

And after that you may be hungry.  One of our friends can help!

As you can see the children of Room 28 are a dynamic bunch!  

And now from me... a quick mystery word and then a reading of Gus and Button by Saxon Freymann and Joost Elffers.  It's the story I gave a little taste last Monday. It's going to be a great week.

Wrapping up Week 7

Does it feel like seven weeks of school-at-home?  My guess is in some ways yes, and in others no. Yesterday's Zoom was uplifting for me in that I could feel our sense of cohesion as a class is still there!  Here's a look at what friends have been busy with with over the last day or so.

Math card games at the beach

Learning about how plants grow and growing some of our own

And on my end- when I'm not communicating with teachers and families I'm often in the garden.  This week I transplanted onion, parsley, cabbage and cammomile starts.  Here is Willie clinging to the last bit of snow and while lying in the daffodils- how Vermont!

Time to Share Some Great Photos

When I create the daily blog posts I try to have a theme in mind or use the post as a way to  explain and share about what's been going on in Room 28.  Recently I've received some excellent photos but... you may have to create your own theme!

I think someone found a great way to RESUSE pant legs!
And speaking of reusing, check out this classmate's seed starting set up...

It's great to see friends having a nice work/play balance... and helping to keep the community healthy.

And writing about Zoom sessions!

See you soon- over Zoom!

Catching Up With Friends

Yesterday's Zoom meeting was really fun.  Seeing everyone's face is an instant pick-me-up.  We played a drawing game where you never know how much time you'll have to complete a simple drawing- 3 seconds?   15 seconds?  Have a look at our quick draws of elephants-

And also of Mr. T!

I did share this screen shot with him after the meeting.  

Many of the learning activities this week have to do with seeds- what's inside them and how they grow into plants.  There are several fun videos on the grid- one of me in my garden planting peas and sunflowers and one of Ms. Garland growing plants indoors without any soil at all!  It's really different and worth checking out.  Also I STRONGLY encourage you to check out ALL the links Mrs. Frostman has added about different types of African music.  I enjoyed them a lot and plan to watch them again!

And the Mystery Word Was...

On Monday mornings I look forward to emails from class members with their guesses for the word of the day.  I'm also very open to taking suggestions for future "mystery words".  Can you believe the pictures below were taken on the same day?   Have a look at some tulips in the courtyard at Orchard and then, the view off my front porch!

I'm  excited to check out Mrs. Frostman's links to different types of African music on the Learning Grid this week- that will keep me thinking of the sun!

Is Spring On It's Way Back?

I wonder what everyone thought of the snow this weekend.  The only one in my family who was excited was Willie!

These photos of classmates from late last week look a whole lot cozier.  

The weather has certainly been more suited to relaxing with a good book and playing chess than gardening but this week I plan to share a few videos that I took of planting peas and sunflowers before it got cold.  They'll be on the new learning grid to go along with new learning about seeds.  Here's one I took on April 8th to get you started. The peas were going in the ground!

And for today...

Rounding Out Week Six

As I write this and look outside it's hard to know what today will bring- I saw a tiny bit of sleety snow just a few minutes ago!  I always look forward to your Monday emails with photos, drawings and writing about what the children did over the weekend.  But before I get ahead of myself here's a look at what children have been busy with over the last few days.

Want a little guide- in one 24 hour period Room 28 kids have made books, drawn favorite characters, solved math challenges, created treasure hunt maps and painted!  They've also hiked, read, made original videos, and sent caring words to friends for birthdays.