After our morning recess each day we have math. Our math time typically starts with a short lesson and then children rotate through two stations in small groups. For now our focus has been on numbers to ten, including counting sets, matching numerals to quantities, writing, and comparing numbers. Children have also been introduced to five- and ten- frames, which are models we will use throughout the year for composing numbers. As students gain familiarity with these structures they begin to recognize quantities without counting, and also begin to internalize how many more are needed to make five or ten. For example if a ten frame has five dots, there are five empty spaces.

One of our stations is almost always a partner game, a fun way for children to work on all of these math skills, while also working on taking turns, being patient and flexible, and being a good sport. We always finish by shaking hands and saying, "Good game!" 

Ask your child if they have a favorite game so far.

 Pressing apples for our all school cider celebration! 

We had a fantastic day for our first ECO session, which was focused on establishing routines and expectations for our time in the forest. After a quick bus ride, we began our day in the field just over the covered bridge. We stopped at the far end of the field for a greeting circle and a game. This week we played an old favorite called Camouflage, which gave children a chance to run around, hide in the grass, and practice gathering when they hear our special signal, which is a barred owl call. 

After our game, we made our way to our forest site and gathered around our safety circle for snack and a story. Ask your child about safety circle expectations. Our story this week focused on the three cares, which are broad expectations for our time outside: I take care of myself, I take care of others, I take care of the earth. After reviewing forest boundaries, children had time to explore the space, much of which was spent observing and counting red efts, which seemed to be everywhere with the cool moist conditions. We will talk a lot about red efts in the coming weeks and use them to guide discussions about how we can be responsible guests in the forest that is home to many living things. 

We closed our time by practicing sit spots in a circle. Eventually, everyone will find their own sit spot for this closing ritual, which is often a favorite of children, as they quietly soak in the forest, sometimes sipping tea, sometimes drawing in a journal. We ended with a silent thank you to the forest before walking back to school. On Wednesday afternoon each child chose a nature name. These animal names will also become an integral part of ECO. 

 Last Tuesday our class was invited to vote on the design for next year's Waitsfield dog tags. Jen Peterson, the Waitsfield Town Clerk, graciously gives this task to Kindergarten students each year, using the authentic experience to teach them about the voting process. Children checked in with Jen one at a time and were presented with a ballot with three shapes and three colors. After privately castilng their votes for one color and one shape, they placed their ballots in the official lockbox. When everyone was done Jen tallied the results. This year the vote was very close between orange and red and fire hidrant and star. Ask your child what next year's tags will look like! 

 Some pictures from our fantastic hike at Mad River Glen!

During the first few weeks of school we were fortunate to have 2 monarch capterpillars in our classroom, which served as a springboard for our first science unit focused on the needs of living things. We watched them carefully as they grew and changed, making note of things we noticed and wondered, and thinking about what they would need to survive. Some of our observations included:

• the caterpillars were black, yellow, and white
• they eat milkweed
• they can crawl upside down
• they shed their skin
• eventually they hang in a "j" when they are ready to become chrysalises
• at first the chrysalises are green, then they darken

Earlier this week both butterflies emerged. We revisited the question of what they would need to survive after their change from caterpillar to butterfly, noting that while we could provide them with water and air, eventually it would be hard to supply them with nectar for food, and certainly the space we had for them as caterpillars was no longer adequate once they were butterflies. With good wishes for a safe trip we released them so they could begin their journey south.