Spring break is over. I hope you were able to enjoy spending extra time with your children. Some schools call the break ski week – maybe you were able to play in the snow. I know that Sawyer Adam-Stubblefield did! His Dad married Summer in Tahoe last week. Congratulations!!! Also congratulations to Julie and Tory Petersen. I just learned that Julie will be bring new baby, Zadie Ray, to school tomorrow. More visitors tomorrow….Jack and Sofia Mason, who will be officially enrolled on Tuesday. Jack is a former student. The Masons recently returned to Petaluma – after a brief episode in the East Bay. Welcome back!
I went back East to see my little sister, probably for the last time. Seeing her suffer (from pancreatic cancer) reminded me, once again, how blessed I am to spend my days with the precious, innocent, happy children. I did lots of thinking, as I missed them, how I could make our school the best experience (within my ability). Here are some of my ideas:
- Encourage dramatic play narrative
I recently purchased 8 “career” costumes. At circle time one child will wear the costume (doctor, construction worker, baker, etc.), and other children will join to create a story. We have done this a few times, and it is hilarious (see doctor photo). I need to do quite a bit of prompting since this is a new experience. But the purpose (my purpose) is for them to cultivate their imagination and eventually explore their feelings and be able to express them through play. I think this is important because children do/will use “screens”, which present situations for children – without allowing the opportunity for children to create their own situations/experiences. I believe, in the past, children always used their imagination, but now we need to create opportunities which require children to use their imagination – and not be subjected to some technology person’s imagination.
I am going to take a full length photo of each child and make a puppet on a popsicle stick. I have done this in the past. The children love it. This is another avenue to express feelings. Whenever I see a situation during the day that could use a bit of conflict resolution, or any type of healing/nurturing, the puppets, at circle time, will assist. I will ask “What do you think….”
Young children just love to create their own art. Putting colors on a piece of paper is a satisfying experience. However, as they get older, some of them are interested/able to control their hand movements and form pictures. I have sequence cards that help them “dissect” an object and create a butterfly, caterpillar, etc.
Spring is just around the corner – right after the next week of constant rain, I believe. The children will be helping me plant flowers in the back yard, veggies in the front garden, amend soil, and pull clover (weeds) for the chickens.
You may be wondering exactly what do we do on rainy days. Initially it is a frightening thought, but I do have a plan. During the last rainy week we enjoyed the following activities (see photos): free form dancing, scooting through a tunnel, tossing sponge balls through holes; playing grocery store – I describe a food and ask the child to find it on the table. Next week we will include yoga; “mat” work/summersaults; walking on hands; and various exercises that I show them on cards.
If you have any other good ideas, please let me know. I am always anxious to hear your thoughts.
Sometimes we just observe and appreciate.
Aaron is practicing the triangle pose.
Aidan is planting a marigold. The children have previously amended the soil with peat moss.
Charlie is a traffic director police officer. He is stopping cars for Frostie the Snowman to cross the road.
Eli is a police officer teaching the children to stop at corners and look for cars before crossing the street. We have a song for this (see below).
Jack is planting a marigold as sister, Sofia is making mental notes.
Zachary is preparing to plant a begonia.
Ava is a police officer helping Parisa cross the street.
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For those of you who don't get to drop-off and pick-up your child.............we are now
learning about farm life (animals, tractors and planting, silos, milking cows, etc.)
Some of the books we are reading include the following:
Old Mc Donald (of course). Each child gets a puppet.
Duck on a Bike, by David Shannon (prints from this book on our wall - pretty funny)
To Market to Market, Anne Miranda
Barn Dance, Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
Oikn, Oink, Arthur Giesert - this is the children's all-time favorite. They love the mad mommy pig. I made a mask of this page.
Pelle's New Suit, Elsa Beskow - This is
my favorite book. It is a Sweedish book, doesn't have a copywrite date (I would guess is about 40-50 years old??). It teaches how the wool from Pelle's lamb, plus lots of work/chores, got Pelle a new blue suit. If you have time, you might enjoy perusing this book, along with our props.
Today's Ode to Spring
The children each filled a small flowerpot with soil, chose the flower seeds they wanted; planted and watered thier own plants. I hope they all blossom.
Kale
You are all welcome to snip some kale from our garden. Jennifer Restive reminded me how wonderful slow-roasted kale is. I just single-handedly consumed an entire tray. Drizzle kale with olive oil; salt; roast at 250 about half an hour.
Lunch
The children (one at a time) have been making their own lunch. I think we start making lots of kale.
Traffic Song
Twinkle, twinkle traffic light
Standing on the corner bright.
When it's green, it's time to go
When it's red, you stop you know.
Twinkle, twinle traffic light
Standing on the corner bright.
Boots and Jackets
Please, please, please.........remember to write your child's name/initials in boots and outer garments. It is extremely difficult for us to help dress the children when we don't know what to put on them (and they often don't know either).
