Teachers are Learners Too

Today I'm feeling like I need to let you in on some of what's been going on behind the scenes of Distance Learning.  The simple answer is... I've been learning new tech skills as fast as possible to make this all happen.  I created a "virtual field trip" to my garden today to share about planting peas with you and I'm REALLY struggling to upload it in a reasonable amount of time. I'm not sure which will happen first- the peas coming up, or the upload!  Just kidding.  But I will keep working on it.  And when I get it, I will also share a video from a classmate as well.  You can look forward to more cool science!  In the meantime, you can see what pea plants look like as they grow through this time lapse video. Click on the link...

Time Lapse of Pea Plant

This just in!  Right before I went to post this- I noticed my video uploaded !  Click the link below to plant some peas with me.

Ms. Barone Plants Peas

Wednesday WOW!

I have so much to share with you today that it's hard to know where to start!  First of all, thanks to the kid detectives out there- the mystery picture was identified as...CABBAGE!  Well done

Secondly, congratulations to all word detectives out there. We had not one, but two possible answers come in for the mystery word and both are correct!  flower  and  garden . Both have two syllables, two vowels, and have been on my mind!

The third thing I want to share is a drawing made by one of our classmates.  

She was inspired by the sessions on Art for Kids Hub which I remember my daughter enjoying back in the day. I included the link below so more kiddos can try and share their art if they'd like to.

Art for Kids Hub  

On our Learning Grid this week is a recycling bin boat challenge.  Have a look at one of our friend's craftiness-

Now, if your not inspired YET, or you're still thinking about what your next challenge might be, another classmate shared his Egg Drop Science and supplied us all with directions!  Check out these pictures and then you could try the directions below to guide your experiment.

Ms. Barone,

All of our eggs made it, except for the last one.  

Here are some instructions:

1. Get eggs

2. Gather materials you could use like a plastic bag, cotton balls, cardboard box, Tupperware containers, rubber bands, tape, string, and anything else you think might be useful.  We used lots of soft and light things. Don't use glue or else you won't get the egg out of the structure. 

3. Build something that you can drop and keep the egg safe.

4. Get help from an adult to drop the egg from a high place. We dropped it from my mom's bedroom window.

5. Check to see if the egg made it! 

6. Take pictures and have fun! 

A Little Bit Of Sunshine

It was SO nice to see the sun yesterday!  In other years this would be the time that I'd be taking my class out to the courtyard to examine the crocuses and watch the tulips emerge.  I'm going to have to think of some cleaver ways to share gardening with the children this year!  I think it was Audrey Hepburn who is credited with saying, "to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow"- what a wonderful idea to keep in mind.  AND... with that in mind- what do you think this mystery picture could be?  If your Kindergartener has a guess, they should email it to me and I will post the answer tomorrow!

Here's a hint- we worked with this in a Farm to School lesson!

It's clear that I've been thinking about preparing my garden.  Here's a look at what some of the classmates have been up to.

There are some "right on" answers to Monday's Math Challenge

and some more heart maps and completed doodles

Math on a Monday

It's the start of a new week of distance learning and I'm picturing all of the Kindergarteners receiving their new packets.  I would so much rather be teaching and learning with the children at school but thinking about the kiddos opening up their envelopes and unpacking  materials they were used to working with at school makes me smile!  Since it's Monday, I know that the Literacy job on the Continuing Learning Grid is to write in journals using the prompt "Over the weekend...".  I'd love to post some of the childrens' work so please send me photos over email!  AND again, since it's Monday- it seems like a good day for a Math Challenge!  Watch the video to find out...

Recapping the Week...Remotely

This marks the end of the second week of distance learning.  
For us in Kindergarten that means two weeks of: 

*learning packets sent home 
* asking parents to facilitate their children's schooling-at-home while they work from home
*everyone adjusting to new technology 
*and missing each other WHILE following the Governor's "stay at home orders"!                   

Anyone stressed? 

 My sincere hope is that it also means that: 
*we are settling into an adjusted routine 
*we are finding some time for family things that may have been on the back burner 
*and that Kindergarteners are doing what they do best which is learning ALWAYS through whatever they are doing.  
Here's a look at some of that taking place.

Thankful on a Thursday

There's a lot going on right now that's out of our control but there are some beautiful things happening too. Mrs. Freeman and I are both Jon Gailmor fans from way back, parents- if you grew up in Vermont you know who I mean!  I learned over Front Porch Forum that he is performing tonight on Music for Vermont a virtual concert series hosted by Lt. Governor Zuckerman.  Here's the info if you are interested:

Virtual Concert with Jon Gailmor I wanted to invite you to a virtual concert with Jon Gailmor this Thursday, April 2nd, at 7:30PM. Jon has been writing and singing in Vermont and around the world for decades. His music often reflects on life and varies from silly to serious. Jon has sung with our kids through his residencies in schools, at the 25th anniversary of the Kennedy Center in DC, and even in the Vermont State House! Jon is the debut performer for Music for Vermont (#Music4VT), a virtual concert series hosted by Lt. Governor Zuckerman. Every Thursday at 7:30PM a different Vermont artist will perform. This will be a great way to check out the different genres and musical talent of some great Vermont musicians and bands. Watch live on Facebook: Look for @zuckermanforvt Watch live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZW9tahkaQk_MXwjAfqINYA?view_as=subscriber Subscribe to the #Zuck4VT YouTube channel here! You can learn about additional upcoming virtual events, including a Telephone Town Hall on Food Security on April 8th, by visiting his website: https://www.zuckermanforvt.com/ We can participate in these events together, even when we are keeping our physical distance.

This might be something fun for your family. And in other news about things to be thankful for, here are some heart maps that were sent to me.

If you have a heart map that you'd like me to post please send it!

Another Lucky Day

Hello on Wednesday morning from me AND as you can see some of our Room 28 mascots.  I'm so excited to share another Candle Day with you!  It seriously warms my heart the way our classroom community stays strong and together even while we're apart.  After my video be sure to click on the link below for another wonderful, informative, and student centered Candle Day experience. I will give you a hint... the topic of this classmate's Candle Day is a very special sea animal.  

Candle Day