April 2-5

The children adjusted very well to our class routines after our two-week break. They asked for Ms. Laura's alphabet song and magic reading ball.

At our Morning Meeting, Ms. Leigh had each child randomly pick the name of one of their classmates. They then sat down and drew a picture and wrote special words to their chosen friend. Most children used their own inventive spelling to write their words. They then posted their notes around the room. This was a wonderful way for the children to all feel welcomed as they returned from a long break.

We asked the children what they did over the break. BW went to Molokai! KO and TK met up at Disneyland. LY and EKS went to Japan. TKS moved to the "22nd floor." SK went to the beach with her uncle and aunty. JD went to Legoland. CL went to Maui. BM got to go to the movies, two times in a row! CH played with cousins and swam over there. GA rode in Daddy's Hummer up a mountain and back down. MF went to Honomu. RB picked Dad up from the airport. It's interesting to hear what the children found to be special about their time away from school.The sharing of our Spring break activities gave the children much to talk about during their Discovery Time!

The children miss EC! She didn't come to school yesterday or today (Mon & Tues). They know she got hurt and are concerned about her. The children came up with the idea of making her "get-well cards." They wrote out their heartfelt messages and drew pictures for her.The children are finding more reasons to show off their ability to "write!"

In the atelier, the children discovered a new way to make paint. They shared their discovery with the class at morning meeting. Other children wanted to join Ms. Jordan in the atelier to make more colors of paint. After making more colors, the children tested their paint on different materials. Some children had theories about their paint's ability to stick on paper, glass, and plastic. They discovered a lot about the paint and how the process used to make the paint affects the paint's adhesive qualities. Read more about this in Ms. Jordan's atelier blog.

BM and CH decided to work together with the chalk paint and plexiglass. They each started with their own plexi-square, painting it black. They decided to try to attach the two squares together. CH had the idea to use tape. He cut a piece of masking tape and with BM's help, taped the two pieces together. However, when they tried to move it, the two wet squares slipped apart. Hmmm, how come, Boys? CH figured out that the paint was wet, so he and BM worked together to stick the tape underneath the squares. It wasn't an easy task, but helping each other, they were able to attach the tape to the two squares to their satisfaction. We will see what they do with the squares next week.

On Thursday, we celebrated Easter. (See gallery for pix). We started by making breakfast for the children with the eggs from the shells we hollowed out. While Ms. Iris read a couple books about Spring, Ms. Leigh, Ms. Laura, and the moms helped scramble the eggs, microwave the bacon, and serve the croissants and grapes.

After breakfast, the children used Q-tips to paint the hollowed egg shells.

We all turned into bunnies, then went to the fish pond to find the eggs that the Easter Bunny left for us. (A big mahalo to Linda and Karen for the plastic, goodie-filled eggs!)

Ms. Loriann joined us at the fishpond for our CE class and read a story about the meaning of Easter.

At lunch we peeled hard-boiled eggs (thanks for helping boil them, Suzanne) to enjoy. We'll be using the shells for future art projects.

MF decided to make a gondola during Discovery Time. He drew out his plan to make a gondola that would carry people to the "top of the mountain and then they get out and ski down the mountain." With Ms. Leigh's help, he made a pulley using ribbon, tape, blocks, and an empty ribbon spool. He used his past experience of riding a gondola and skiing to create something special to share in the class. Everyone was interested in what M was doing! M was so proud of his creation that he asked if he could share it with the 3's class! They came in and listened as M explained what he made. M even answered questions as the fascinated 3's asked M questions when he was done sharing.

To someone observing the class, it might have looked like M was just playing. From a learning perspective, he engaged in many wonderful experiences; he brought his own experience into the classroom and was able to recreate it using different "languages," both with blocks and by drawing it. He used his fine motor skills to draw the picture and to manipulate the blocks, taping the little blocks to the ribbon. He used high-level thinking to figure out what to use and how to recreate the gondolas. He showed high self-esteem, self-confidence, and communication skills in his ability to share his gondola, not only with our class but with the 3's, answering their questions like an expert.

EKS, BM, CH, and KO had a discussion about watering the grass next to the sand box. They decided to take water from the water table, using cups and plates, to pour onto the asphalt. The children watched the water trickle across the asphalt. Christopher finally discovered that if he used the water hose to shoot across the asphalt, he could water more of the grass. Their curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration made the morning's Discovery Time wet and fun!

EKS turned 5 on Thursday! With all the Easter craze, we sang Happy Birthday and ate delicious carrot cupcakes she brought in. We will be having her Sun Ceremony next week, so it will be her special day.

Thanks to Ms. Laura and Ms. Leigh, who brought in cake and a lei so the children could celebrate my birthday. To all of you who sent me a birthday card and helped make my day wonderful, thank you -- at my age, I feel the best birthday gifts are the ones that are made or given from the heart: thoughtful, special, and memorable.

Finally, just a reminder about our Parent Night, Tuesday, April 17th, at 5:30. Our Kindergarten Group just might have some questions for our parents!

Field trips:
Honolulu Hale, Tues. 4/24, 9:45 a.m.
Aquarium, Mon. 4/30, 8:30 a.m.

Think we can find time for one more Moms' Night Out???

Posted on April 8, 2007 8:14 PM | Permalink