Newsletters
December 2009 Newsletter
Fall flew by! I am baffled by the mere thought of the year being nearly over. For me, it is more than the first part of the school year. It is colored by my delightful observations of all the growth in the children. The entering first years have left their preschool years behind and merged into elementary kids! At the other end of the spectrum, I smile when I think of the 4th and 5th years as first graders grown up. It is fascinating to watch as they step into the world of abstract thinking.
Every new encounter from practical experiences to new information is met with a solid foundation of knowledge acquired in their first 9 years of life. Now that information, knowledge, experience merges with the developing abstract mind. Their previous world view was like a flat puzzle, expanding as the pieces were added. Now it is as if they have been handed puzzle pieces that magically transform their puzzle into 3D and their world view grows by leaps and bounds. They see new connections, armed with a deeper understanding of cause and effects and the interconnectedness of life, along with a greater sense of awe in the world.
Many opportunities at Southside enhance the children’s development.
Weekly chess with Mike Keyes is a favorite. Each week, new skills and techniques are learned. I love hearing the children ask Mike chess questions that they have thought of during the week. Their interest and ability to articulate make me smile. Their enthusiasm can’t be beat! Thank you, Mike Keyes!
Theater with Esta is another wonderful opportunity. After a year in the theater program, it is clear that the children love to step out of what once would not have been their comfort zone, now freely acting and adlibbing in front of their peers and all having a great time doing just that! They create characters, scenes, stories…etc! We also plan to attend three of the Spokane Children’s Theatre performances this year.
For Halloween, we celebrated with the making of ghosts with personality. They dangled from our ceiling. On Halloween, we did “bagel bopping.” Using a free standing coat rack, we hung mini bagels on strings from a variety of heights. Each child had an opportunity to attempt to catch a bagel in his/her mouth without the use of hands. The toothless first year students were at a bit of a disadvantage!
PE is provided by Angela of Stretch and Grow. Angela arrives with all the equipment and scads of activities each week. It is a solidly action packed hour of activity and fun!
We studied the Tundra, learning much about the needs and adaptations of the animals and people. The effects of global warming became a real concern. We looked at what people can do to counteract global warming. Emphasis was on the importance of individuals understanding the problems and doing what they can, pointing out that every effort and intention helps. (I noticed the bathroom lights were being turned off more often.)
Some students investigated the basic needs of humans with an emphasis on the types and constructions of shelters around the world. Models were made and presentations were given at the circle.
Ah yes, it wouldn’t be November without our favorite community service project, Operation Christmas Child! The children brought donations galore for needy children around the world. Shoe boxes were covered in festive wrap. The children sorted the donations into “shops”: art and school supplies, toys, candy, personal hygiene. One by one, they received an empty box designated for boy or girl and age, and off they went shopping until 48 boxes were stuffed full of treats!
For Thanksgiving, the children wrote about what they were thankful for and these writings were collected into a booklet for each child.
Thankful for ?
by Lucy
Ipods, books, movies
things that entertain me
family, friends, pets
things to love me
light, air, warmth
things that help me stay alive
I am thankful for all these things
and more!
For information about Southside or 2010-1011 registration, call for an observation appointment.