This Week in Review - December 10 - 14

Our sharing of winter traditions continued this week with a sweet treat from a family in Grace’s room. Naomi’s grandparents (and mom) came in with everything needed for each child to make their own individually pressed shortbread cookie. This recipe, as Naomi related, has been passed down many generations, “from my great, great, great grandmother!” 

Then, on Thursday, Grace shared something that she used to do when she was a little girl – make ornaments from salt dough. This was a nice sensory treat for the children, which they all seem to need this time of year (we are all a bit more emotional, right?)

Emma and Mira, two of our newest first grade readers, did an outstanding job as our special readers on Monday. It was so nice to have Jason, Emma’s proud papa, as one of our audience members! We added a page to our memory books – this time practicing a type of writing known as procedural writing. We wrote step-by-step directions on how to prepare a birdhouse gourd. We finished our wonderful chapter book, Dominic, this week – it was so exciting!  During library time, we did a type of scavenger hunt to better learn where books are found. Melvil Dewey would be proud.

On Tuesday afternoon, we prepared lots of goodies for the Birdie Bake Sale on Thursday. Seeded pinecones, cereal rings, and cranberry/popcorn chains were all made ready for the big day. We also made posters to advertise, using all the important information you need – date, time, event name, and so on. We made sure to make our posters bright and eye-catching, too. All of our hard work paid off – we raised enough to sponsor our choice  - this year we will “adopt” a turkey vulture. We will visit this glorious bird in the spring.

In our math group, our magic trick is getting smoother, and we may be ready to put our show on next week, or maybe after break. We also made our top hats, which took math skills too (and patience and tape, lots and lots of tape!) We practiced another type of “magic,” – trying to get to “Kaprekar’s Constant” – 6174. Have your child show you!

In Science, we attached our bee’s body together, and then painted them. We also fashioned the wings out of wire and will attach these next week. This is all in preparation for our big presentation at Friday’s morning meeting. Of course, we will be a lot smaller in number, as so many of us are starting winter break early – but we will make you all proud!