December News 2011

We hit the ground running in September and while we were absorbing new members into our classroom community, we dove head long into learning about another kind of community, that of pond life.  Each year we study one or two regions of the world such as deserts or rainforests, tundras or savannas, and learn the ins and outs of communities of plant and animal life and their interdependency.  So far, each of those regions been defined by climate.  This time, we learned that ponds are defined by the life in and around the pond, are not defined by temperature and climate, and can come and go over the course of as little as a hundred years.  Now that was a whole new angle.

Pond journals, a collection of research and illustrations, were created and reports were shared at the weekly report and story circle.  Those students who previously studied the other regions were quick to compare and contrast environments.  That was my opportunity to smile at all the information that has been gleaned by the children from year to year and filed away in their minds.  How quickly they recall those facts.
I love watching the minds at work cross referencing the incoming data! Their curiosity is on fire!

I delight in observing the older children helping the younger in the process, their kindness towards each clearly apparent.  I beam as I watch their response to what they are learning about life:  a genuine respect and awe at what nature offers us.

The 3rd and 4th years have recently completed written book reports and are completing shadow box and puppet projects stimulated by the book reports.  Another group completed the writing of their autobiographies.

Our Halloween tradition, apple bobbing, was as usual, a big hit!  Make that a bit, wet hit!

Large God’s eyes made of yarn were made, tissue paper collages now grace our stair landing and corn husk dolls were completed at Thanksgiving time.

Sue and Fred, grandparents, continue to join us on Thursday mornings and listen to each child read aloud.  Stephanie is with us M/W/F, lending help to the children when needed and listening to readers.  Monica, pediatrician and mom, has been joining us for several weeks with lessons on the heart, the blood, oxygen and cells.  Esta, our theater teacher, is greeted by enthusiastic students each week.  Angela, from Stretch and Growth, keeps everyone happily moving during PE.  Mike continues his art instruction as well as his many other duties overseeing the classroom and outdoor activities.

Community Interaction: The children continue to assist the program of Casa’s, “My Bag” by hauling donations downstairs to the “My Bag,” room and then hauling gifts of stuffed backpacks back up to the awaiting vehicle to take the bags for distribution to children in Spokane.

Our winter project this year is the packing of 60 Christmas boxes full of toys, candy, art and school supplies and personal hygiene items to be delivered to the Martin Luther King Jr Center in Spokane.  The MLK Jr. Center is excited to have gifts to hand out.  For the past several years, our boxes have been shipped internationally.  I am really excited to think of our gifts going locally this year.

We continue to collect Education Box Tops.  With the funds received over the last couple years from the box top revenue and donations from the Max Kuney Construction Company, we just ordered an Epson Power Point Projector  and screen to be used for larger viewing our educational dvds and  presentations.   It will also be used by students to present their research, enhanced with visuals.