New Blocks, New Fun!

 This post offers a look at the fun we've "rediscovered" in the block area. The blocks were an early attraction when we first started the year, but recently I noticed that interest in them had waned and some of the play on the rug was feeling kind of "stuck". Maybe we can chock it up to winter, we all get into ruts, but I couldn't help but think that some new materials could really release some creativity. So, enter the Magna Tiles!  The unit block "furniture" for house design! And the community buildings for city planning! A little spark was all that was needed.💙

Welcome to the Room 28 Grocery Store (masks required!)

 Over the break our pretend area got a small make-over and become a grocery store!  It's perfect for putting our new knowledge about coins to use AND it encourages sharing and turn taking.  We use the area in small groups during Explore Time and practice stocking the shelves, shopping, paying, helping customers, bagging and then setting the area up for the next group.  Have a look-

Hooray for the 100th Day!

 Early elementary kids (and teachers) are really good at finding things to get excited about.  The 100th day of school is milestone that's definitely worth to celebrating! Why? Well, we've been tracking the days since we started, we've learned to count to 100,  100 is a really cool number, and...let's face it, we could all use something to brighten up the long winter!  So, this Tuesday with headbands, 100 piece necklaces, and several dance party movement breaks we wooped it up and gave ourselves props for being 100 days smarter. Below you can see us...

Starting the day with a morning message about something we've learned in the last 100 days

making our 100 space "Slides and Ladders" board games

helping a friend make a 100 tally mark headband

and dancing it out with Go Noodle!

Highlights From Before the Break

 This blog post contains a smattering of photos taken in the days right before the February break. It highlights the incredible variety of activities that happen with the children in Room 28.  You can see the concentration that the children bring to journaling at Literacy time, the focus involved in a Math game with coins, the fun of playing Limbo with Mrs. Frostman at Music, the playfulness of our extra, earned recess and the cooperative spirit of completing a puzzle as a group.  I can't wait to get back with the crew tomorrow!

Winter Fun with Snow, Games, and Friends!

     Last week we talked as class about wishing for some fresh snow to play in and... this weekend we got it!  Just a few days ago we got ourselves in the mood by learning about Vermont's own Wilson "Snowlake" Bentley- the Vermont farmer/photographer who was the first person to capture single snow crystals in a photo.  Have a look at the children being inspired by his photos from over 100 years ago.

As you can see, Snowflake Bentley inspired us to make some snowflakes of our own out of paper AND out of pattern blocks.  The secret is six sides!

This month's Sharing theme is Games.

The children are having fun teaching each other some favorites like "Ants in the Pants" and "Snakes and Ladders".

Amidst all this we have our quiet moments too.  Below you can see two friends practicing the ASL alphabet.  Learning is more fun with friends!

New Year- Same Us!

 It's 2021 and I am so happy to be back with the class after a break.  This past week we talked a bit about our hopes and resolutions for the new year.  I can tell you that common themes were the virus ending and working harder on reading, drawing and listening.  This is a thoughtful and hard working bunch of kiddos!  Below you can have look at us making some artwork for the January calendar. 

Here is look at a Math game we learned this week that involves addition and subtraction under 10 as well as some strategy to get your answers to line up as three in a row for a win.

Lots of folks are discovering and re-discovering chess recently and  the students in our room are no exception. This month's Sharing theme is games and with a little help from our fabulous friend Dew from School's Out, the children are learning the rules from one another.  Thanks Dew!

It's Been a While- Let's Catch Up!

     Regular readers of the blog will notice that I haven't been posting as frequently as I did in the past.  Perhaps there's a New Year's resolution in there for me.  Take a look at some highlights from the week before our Winter Break. You can see two children playing a math game in which their Bears were racing to 50, one friend taking the lead in sharing her handmade item at our Morning Meeting, and a group of tablemates enjoying the classic Chanukah game of dreidel.  I think all of these pictures add up to give you a sense of the kind of cooperative classroom community that is going strong in our room.