What a great – and busy – first week we’ve had together. The children were friendly, happy, engaged, and excited to be in school! In four days, we’ve started to “gel” as a class by talking together about the kind of year we want to have together and the way we should treat each other to get there. At the end of the week each child told me their school “hopes and dreams”. Next they’ll draw a picture of them and share them with one another. From that, we’ll begin to develop our classroom rules.
When our monarch eggs arrived, they were no bigger than a pinprick, but, literally, overnight most of them hatched! These baby caterpillars were 1/32″ long – almost impossible to see. But we know they’re eating because we can see the holes in the milkweed leaves. Who knows how big they’ll be in another day or two!
In math, the children have had lots of fun creating with pattern blocks. While the first day’s designs were all flat, further experimentation included pieces standing on end or tall stacks carefully built. Below are some of their spontaneous comments:
“Nothing is easy. You just have to build what’s in your mind.”
“I’m building a rocket, a very big rocket.”
“I’m not saying what I’m building, I’m just building.”
“I need some green.” “Here.” “Thank you!”
“Whoa, that’s cool! Neha, that’s one beautiful thing!”
“I made butterflies hanging from a tree branch.” (Vivienne)
“This is the empire’s death star.” (Rhys)
“My flower took hard work.” (Neha)
“This is like the whole playground and see that? It’s pointing to the junk yard.” (Magnus)
“I don’t even know. I was just making a design.” (Lily)
“This is a snowman and this is an abstract and this is a rocket ship and this was an alien ship.” (Nicolette)
“This is a rocket ship and that’s Han Solo’s ship that has the big hole and the big monster and their ship fell in by accident. And then Darth Vadar came.” (Chase)
Creative minds…
Hard at work!
We’ve enjoyed seeing everyone’s family photographs, and had fun listening to everyone’s books from home. In addition, we’ve had Music with Mr. Martin, Spanish with Sr. Silva, Art with Ms. Sicurella, Library with Ms. Tone, and PE with Mr. Storti ( (I told you it was a busy week!) And on Friday, we had a fun picnic lunch and hike on Mike’s Trail with our friends in PreK and grades 1, 2, and 3.
We’re off to a great start!
Andrea
Wow, thank you for sharing! Just tonight Rhys taught me several songs with the hand motions, told me his “school dream,” signed “I love you”…. And more! I love the joy and enthusiasm you bring, Ms Patel! They clearly love learning from you.