Week Four!

We had another great week in Kindergarten!  At week four students are beginning to feel much more settled.   Students know the routine and are more able to transition smoothly from one activity to another.  We have been focusing on mindfulness and self regulation in addition to making "Good Choices".  We created our Class Rules this week which will help guide our behavior through the year. Our three rules tie in with our E.C.O. Three Cares.   Our Class rules are:  1.  Care for Yourself,  2. Care for Each Other,  3. Care for the Classroom.  In E.C.O. our Three Cares are 1. Care for yourself, 2. Care for Each other, 3. Care for the Environment (world).  It makes sense to me to link our indoor classroom behaviors and our Outdoor classroom behaviors.  

On Friday we Celebrated International Peace Day at MES.  It was a beautiful ceremony led by our Art Teacher, Ms. Lucia.   After learning about peace day, saying a Peace Day Pledge, and singing a song for Peace as a whole school, each student planted a pin while they made during art on the Circle in front of the school.  The pinwheel art instillation will remain for the next week.   If you get a chance, please stop by to see it.

Math:  In Math we have been learning about numbers 1-5 and have been working on counting strategies.  This week we we began matching numbers to quantities and ordering numbers to show one more.

Literacy: We have been learning about letters Bb and Ff.   We read the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear and students got "take home" books to practice reading concepts.   On Friday we made a The Very Hungry Caterpillar  class project.  Students have begun Writer's Workshop.  They have been working on sharing their ideas with drawings and symbols to represent works.   This week we our focus was choosing and idea or topic to write about.

E.C.O.  We had our first ECO lesson on Friday.   Students had an introduction to using their senses to make observations.  We learned how to be called back to the group (drum beat).   We "Found Something Interesting" and made observations about it.  Students played a predator and prey tag game and practice using our boundaries.  We learned a nature song and went on a "nature name" picture hunt. 

Our next E.C.O.  class will be October 6th from 11:30 - 2:30.   Students should have sneakers (or rain boots if it is raining), a water bottle,  and comfortable clothing to move and play in.   Our next lesson will take place in the forest behind the school (off the nature trail) at our outdoor classroom (camp sight).

Community Dinner: A reminder that there will be free community dinner this Thursday evening at MES.  All are welcome to come share a meal.

Open House:  Open house is Thursday, October 5th from 6:00-7:00.  We hope to see you there!