Dear Families,
What a wonderful first week we had! Although there were some tears and so many new things to learn and remember, the week seemed very peaceful on the whole. I was so happy to discover that these children love to listen to books and that they notice so many details in pictures. They are empathetic – everyone was very concerned about David, from No, David!, especially when he was. “…sad and crying because he break his mama’s vase.” I was also so happy to take a walk through the woods on Friday and amazed that we traversed the entire loop on our first try! We spent time getting to know one another and the rhythms of the day and the children engaged in conversations and side by side work as well as group playing as they danced together to songs and imagined floating in a river and later sailing on an imaginary ocean with each other in a boat.
Here are some snapshots from the week that I hope will give you a picture of how full each day is and how much your child accomplished this week as a new student!
Learning to raise your thumb in circle when you want to speak. Learning to listen to your friends when they have something important to share.
Learning to unpack snacks and eat together.
Following clues, we found a compass hidden in the apple tree and later delivered it to the 9th grade to help them in their quest to find the missing BCD penguin!
Creating art together.
Practicing skills.
Building castles.
Noticing and looking closely.
Singing with our beloved Pre-k neighbors and our beloved Mrs. Hilliard!
Dancing!
Learning to line up.
Ordering rainbow ice-cream with rainbow sprinkles at the “Rainbow ice-cream stand.”
Listening to stories! Some favorites from the week were No, David! and Each Peach, Pear, Plum.
Later, we shared a peach, “Just like in the book!”
Sailing on a ship, “We in the ocean.” “I see a shark!” “Catch it! Catch the shark!”
Play dough!
Making bread.
Smelling roses along the way.
Gazing up in awe at Grandfather Tree.
Noticing a spider’s tiny tunnel in a grassy web.
Resting.
Looking into mysterious, dark spaces. “I see the water!”
Hiking.
Popsicles!
Making friends!
I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday! It is gym day, so remember to bring sneakers.
Another thought I had – in the early part of the day the grass is drenched with dew and sometimes the children’s shoes and socks get damp. It might be a good idea to leave rain boots by their cubbies for wet morning walks and play time outside and keep refilling their supply of extra socks, underwear, etc. as needed.
Also, please bring in an old , large shirt for your child to use as a smock and please remember to include cutlery in your child’s lunch if necessary.
Thank you all for a great start to our year!
All the best,
Sarah
Thank you for capturing these moments! As drop off & pick up were met with tears, it is great to see fun & smiles happened throughout the days.
I saw a FB post that the 9th graders found the penguin-is this a tradition? We’re all the grades involved in aiding the search?
Isabelle enthusiastically enjoyed her GF bread and I’m especially grateful that you were able to include her in that project even with her food sensitivities. That’s not an easy task!
This weekend I learned about raising one’s thumb as I was pretending to be Mrs. Cooke in our play of “row your boat.” This chosen imaginary play by Isabelle warmed my heart as I knew this meant she truly did love school already! I look forward to reading the next blog post!
Wow, looks like you guys have been super busy. Wish I was 3. Thumbs up too all the children. Two thumbs up too my Granddaughter Isabelle, Grammy is proud of you, good job. Can’t wait for Grandparents day, too meet all your new friends.