Dear Families,
All year we have worked on the important skill of noticing, paying attention in a deep way to what is happening in the present moment. We often practice this by remaining in stillness while listening until the singing bowl’s reverberations have ceased completely, or when we sing and dance together, modulating movement with sound, repeating intricate clapping phrases and allowing ourselves to hear and respond harmoniously to what is fast and slow, exciting or somber.
Last week we varied our exploration by taking time to eat an orange together. I asked all the children to spend time noticing their orange before putting it into their mouths. Some children held their pieces to the light, others took deep breaths and smiled, everyone turned their oranges around and looked very closely. I was impressed by how quiet the children were during this exercise. When we all ate our oranges, everyone smiled and chewed and giggled. I asked the children what they had noticed and if their oranges had tasted differently this time.
“Mine was so juicy and delicious.”
“It was the best orange!”
“Light shines through and it looks like orange light.”
“There’s lots of little lines and lots of little pieces.”
“It smelled like orange juice.”
“Can we do it again?”
Every time after this at snack and lunch the children have said, “When can we eat an orange together, again?”
Another project we have been working on is self-portraits – looking carefully in a mirror and really taking time to see the familiar before attempting to translate this onto paper with pen. This kind of representation was not seen in the beginning of the year and I am amazed by how much everyone has grown in their ability to describe the world and themselves through their art!
We had an exciting day on Alaska Day. It was the first time our whole class stayed together until three! The children had so much fun braving the arctic winds to eat s’mores, slide on ice, watch fish swimming, pan for gold, make crafts and drink hot chocolate. The children were attentive and took care of each other when we joined the rest of the lower school in Ms. Milani’s class to watch a movie about the wild creatures who live in Denali National Park. I was very proud of everyone.
We also celebrated Suleman’s 4th birthday. Now the B3s have their first 4 year old! Thank you, Mishal for bringing special treats to share.
On February 28th, we will have pajama day. Please come to school in your warm and cozy pajamas.
On March 5, we will have a field trip to the Berkshire Museum with Pre-k and kindergarten friends. Please let me know if you would like to chaperone.
On March 7 and March 8 we will have parent/teacher conferences. Sign-up sheets will be available soon.
Thank you all!
Sarah