Two weeks....

12/4-12/15 - The weeks went by so quickly and were filled with so much, we've had to pinch ourselves to make sure we weren't dreaming! (Tis the season...) Hold on, because here we go...

Let's see. CL was very frustrated because he couldn't make Lego stairs, so we gave him tips on how to build them, and now he's making all sorts of stairs!

Speaking of stairs, Ms. Leigh used a "step" diagram to make behavior visual for some children. She said, "When your behavior is good, it's like going up the stairs, toward the smiling face. When it's not good, it's going down toward the frowning face." You may hear your child saying that they're "going up or down the stairs."

The children are writing their names for more than just signing in. They've written them to tell us whether or not they have a Christmas tree. And, they are busy writing their holiday cards, too!

EKS is making a book about her recent trip to Japan. She misses her dad and hopes to send him the book soon. If that isn't purposeful writing, I don't know what is!

To start our holiday craziness, Valerie (RB's mom) came in to make cinamon/applesauce/glue ornaments - shhh, it's supposed to be a surprise! Thanks again, Valerie!

A hot cocoa group was started by CL because he is going to Buffalo for the holidays, where he is planning to sell hot cocoa. We thought it would be a great idea to do the same with our class. They made signs, decided on prices, wrote letters to their families for donations, and planned the whole shebang! See our photo gallery for more photos. Thanks to all the families in our hot cocoa group for donating cookies, whipped cream, hot chocolate, and your time to help us. We raised $100! The money will go to Helping Hands.Thanks to all who supported our children. And to Ms. Laura for coordinating everything!

CH has an uncanny way of balancing things. It used to be while making asymmetrical block buildings; he's now moved on to animals....

GA celebrated his 5th birthday. Mom brought in delicious mini-pumpkin and pecan pies. Thanks, Sabrina.

We practiced evacuating the MPI school bus, just in case of an emergency. I think the noise of the alarm will scare the children more than the actual emergency!

EKS found a heart-shaped mirror that was recently donated to our class. She remembered that she had a picture of the same mirror in her Summer Journal! What a memory!

Ms. Jordan brought us mangoes to draw and enjoy. Thanks! Such a yummy idea!

Our parent/teacher conferences went well! Thank you for all the food to sustain our energy and the beautiful flowers (TK).

We had so many fun holiday activities! Not only did we make cinnamon ornaments, but we also had a busload of fun at the Manoa Parade. Thanks to all who came. What? Didn't have U2 tickets?!!

Thank you, BM, for the two gingerbread houses. We loved decorating them and hope the children didn't come home with stomachaches the last couple of days! See below.

Our multiage 3/4 buddies joined us for making chocolate-dipped pretzels. Ms. Jordan said her grandma used to make them. RB also made some at home to share with her teachers! Thanks!

One of the highlights of the last two weeks was our wonderful Ms. Leigh graduating from Chaminade University. She recieved her BA in Education! Straight A's, working full-time, and always so much patience - unreal! What an inspiration for us all.

President and Mrs. Rice hosted a "tea" for the preschool. What a fun idea. He read a story and taught us how to make reindeer toast! He also shared that his son will be graduating from MPI this year!

The children enjoyed listening to the high school jazz band. They were amazed at the size of the alto saxophone. Who's taller? KO or the alto sax?

Our avocado seed finally "sprouted," well, "rooted" is more like it. CH, TKS, and TK wanted to draw what they observed. TKS made one drawing and wanted to "try again." After the second drawing, we asked him which he thought was better. He said the second one was. "Why is it better?" we asked. He replied, "Because I see it better!"

Just today (Thursday), the children were at the playground, getting their wiggles out so they could take a long nap before the Holiday concert, when what do you think they found? Yup, dinosaur bones! Hmmm, just when we thought that project was going nowhere!

We practiced and practiced for our Holiday performance. The song says just a couple of things that we are thankful for!

Last, but not least in any way, a big Mahalo Nui Loa to the elves who decorated our classroom with lights and a tree! Our room is truly a winter wonderland and an incredible place to learn.

Please check our Photo Gallery. We've put a bunch of photos from our tea, the parade, our hot cocoa sale, and the Kamishibai story with the 6th graders. We will post our Friday Holiday breakfast ASAP! Thanks in advance for what we know will be another awesome family experience for us all.

We are so blessed to have wonderful families who make our "job" easy and a joy. Happy Holidays! Hope you enjoyed the Holiday concert. See you next year!

Posted on December 14, 2006 1:18 PM | Permalink