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| Backseat Drivers. |
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS The focus this week school-wide was healthy living. Thanks to our nurse, Mrs. Christie-Maples, the week was full of healthy activities and events. On Monday, local law enforcement was here to talk to the children about the importance of car safety. They brought a “Roll-over” car which illustrates the value of wearing seat belts and what can happen if you don’t have one on. They also were invited to see the inside of the state trooper’s car (thanks to Gavin’s dad) in Mrs. White’s class) and explored the rescue truck. On Tuesday, the K-2 grades were presented with a puppet show by the Kids on the Block, which alerted them to the dangers of tobacco and taking someone else’s medicine.
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| Goat Fans! |
On Wednesday our class combined our one mile walk-keeping our bodies fit and healthy- with walking to Sherry Clarke’s goat farm, Bly Acres. We enjoyed learning about her farm and how she cares for the goats. We learned that her goats yield 6 gallons a week! She enjoys her goats immensely, but she has three important jobs: she feeds them, milks them twice a day, and cleans them. She also makes her own cheese. It’s a lot of work, but a labor of love.
During health class this week, two of our very own HES students, Molly & Josh, shared all about people’s differences and different abilities and answered questions about their own personal physical challenges.
On Thursday, the children watched a special performance by Michael Zerphy, a performance artist and parent of Zophia Zerphy, His focus was on healthy activities, eating good foods and making smart choices.
On Friday we will visit the science fair exhibits put on by the 3 &4 grades. We will have smoothies during lunch on Friday provided by the “Smooth Ride” a bicycle that makes smoothies and powered by the upper grades!
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| Tylor and Paige watercolor painting their drawings from our Winter Field Trip to Mrs. White's house. |
ELA Phonics: The children have been making nice progress in their writing journals during the week. We have added two new entries. Please encourage your child to read their journal to you and ask them questions that come to mind. Some children are enjoying creating their own writing topics at home. Feel free to have them do so. With just 9 or 10 weeks left to the year, there should be room in the journal. Unless I send home a writing prompt, do not feel that they must write in it at home. They are working hard during the day and should enjoy the fruits of their labor at home -- reading it to you! ;) You can write comments or ask them questions in the journal to add to my questions and comments.
We are working to foster independence in our kindergarten classroom. In preparation for first grade next year we are having conversations about being more self-reliant and independent. For instance we are pairing up to get milk as a morning job to take on more independent tasks. They are learning to pack their own backpacks at the end of the day. Our conversations also focus on responsible behavior and learning how to apologize when we make a mistake. These are all small but important steps to help our children become more successful.
Share: This week the children shared items for the sound /er/. Here is a sampling: Easter chicks, tractor trailer, 16 wheeler, catapillar,
Next week’s share: /ou/
Science/Math/ELA: Now that March is over we tallied our calendar days and found that we had 16 lion days and 15 lamb days. March definitely came in like a lion and left like a lamb. April feels a bit like winter, but we are looking forward to warmer days. As King Winter and Lady Spring tousle over the daily weather, please be mindful of the changing weather. We are enjoying recess outside and will be planning outdoor projects and activities. For instance today in conjunction with Jump Rope for your Heart, we brought our classroom jump rope outside to practice.
Warming Time: We have had tea every morning. The apple mint aroma has filled our room in the morning. It has such a pleasing scent. We finished our bag of fresh apple mint leaves on Thursday. I will try some chamomile on Friday. Not everyone liked the taste of apple mint, so perhaps chamomile will be more pleasing. Nevertheless it has been a nice relaxing way to start our day.
We set a goal of earning 25 points based on good behavior to have a class party of pancakes and maple syrup. We achieved our goal in the nick of time and will have pancakes on Friday morning.
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| Milk Helpers |
CALENDAR:
- Thank you Mrs. Christie-Maples for a fun-filled National Public Health Week!
- Parent Teacher Conferences: I am looking forward to meeting with you next week to talk about your child’s progress.
- Group Snack: This week’s healthy snacks were provided Keira’s family. We enjoyed tasty homemade muffins, peanut butter crackers and fruit snacks. Thank you! Conner’s family will be providing snack next week.
- Our classroom buddy George went home with Maeve this weekend. We are enjoyed hearing about his adventures and hope he has a great weekend with her and her family!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Bodnar
Week in Review:
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| Lucia is a big jumper! |
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| The Roll-over Car Demonstration |
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| Jumping Rope |
