Trying to Keep Up

 Here I am on Sunday evening realizing that I haven't officially moved on from last week until I post some pictures on the blog. I'm preparing to switch our hallway display over to reflect the learning we've been doing with Leo Lionni stories but before I do, here's a look at the children's sunflowers. (And, the people being "bucket fillers" up above).

I mentioned Leo Lionni stories- the first one we read was A Color of His Own. Here is a look at us painting our chameleons.

On Wednesday afternoon our Learning Buddies helped out with some leaf rubbing.  It almost wouldn't be fall without it!

Creativity ran strong last week- in our classroom and in the Library.  Our class had a super time using the Maker Space and choosing different materials to explore.

It's worth having a look at how enthusiastic our crew is about checking out books.  With a new selection in hand, the children are easily occupied as their friends check out at the circulation desk.

It's a Balancing Act

 What's the expression about having a lot of plates in air?  That's how I felt about our class this week. Learning is full speed ahead in all directions AND we managed a field trip to Mr. Wright's house as well as a visit with Officer Bree- our school resource officer for her famous Kindergarten book give away!  Here's a look through some highlights...

Whether engaged in a math game or a self directed construction project, the children are bringing their full focus.

On Wednesday afternoon we set off into the neighborhood for a glimpse at what Fall looks like for chickens, bees, and Mr. Wright's garden! Our fifth grade buddies helped up keep it safe as we walked on the road and a great time was had by all.

Officer Bree (Brianne Williamson from the SBPD) is our school resource officer.  Each year she visits the Kindergarten classes to introduce herself and give away gently used books that the children are allowed to self select.  Here is a picture of our crew with their new-to-them books.

Moving on...

 We were MOVING this week- and I say that in a very broad sense.   I felt the children deepening their learning across all aspects of the curriculum AND we capped off the week with the 5th Annual Orchard Fun Run!  Let's have a look.

On Monday, we had our first Farm to School session!  The children looked at, felt, smelled, and chopped- beets, cucumbers, and parsley.  They also put together a maple balsamic dressing and got to taste this crunchy, fall salad.  We are very lucky to have F to S brought to us by the Common Roots Organization.

Later in the week we learned a poem about sunflowers reaching the end of summer and withering into fall, only to have their seeds sprout again in spring.  We followed this up with some art work that will make its way to our hallway soon.  Stay tuned for the children's responses to "Good bye summer ________.  Hello fall ________". Their individual answers will be on display in the hallway with their art.

With our minds on fall, we headed outside for a fall scavenger hunt with our big buddies!  Can you see some of the fun signs of fall we spotted?  Look for a scarecrow and an apple on a branch below.

That put us in the mood for creating our October calendars that went home in folders this week.

We finished the week with another marker of time passing- this year's Orchard School Fun Run.  In our bright shirts, we stretched to get ready and were filled with excitement when we made it outside. I think this crew had as much fun cheering on their older friends and siblings as they did running the course themselves.  It was a super successful day!

In this last picture you can see our classmates extending their hands to high five some first grade runners on their way around.

Making Applesauce and Making 5!

 What's to be done with all the apples from apple picking?  ...Make applesauce of course!  This week we washed, chopped, cooked, and smushed (with the help of an old fashioned food mill) our very own apples to make homemade applesauce.  You can even seen two industrious students washing dishes!

Nature has captivated our interest this week and some ladybugs became the focus of a math lesson.  2 hearts plus 3 ladybugs = 5!

You can see the mesh container of live ladybugs in the center of the circle.

We also had fun "spilling" the two-sided beans to show combinations of five.  This page might be familiar from the Friday Folder.