It was great to finally get back to the forest this week. The winter logging created some major changes at our site, but students embraced the opportunity to clean up a bit, create a new entrance path, and shift our boundaries. One student even discovered a stump with city like natural art, named the New York City stump. We will continue having ECO in the forest every Wednesday through June 5th.

 For the month of April our calendar markers have focused on measurable attributes including length, weight, capacity, and temperature, along with various tools that might be use for measuring each of these. During Number Corner we have practiced identifying attributes that could be measured for specific objects. For example we might measure the length and weight of a glue stick, but probably not the temperature. During math we have measured the lengths and weights of various objects. Children have especially enjoyed measuring each other. While the units we have used to measure these are non-standard (cubes and craft sticks for length, counting bears and pennies for weight) we have talked about the importance of using a uniform unit. We closed the week measuring and comparing our stuffies, which was lots of fun!

 In math, we have recently revisited geometry, reviewing shape names and their defining characteristics. We have worked on pattern block puzzles using smaller shapes to create a larger shape. Children have used pattern block stickers to fill in larger shape outlines. Once the picture is complete they have filled in a table showing how many of each shape was used and how many shapes were used all together. It is always fun to look at the same picture made with multiple combinations of pattern blocks.

We have also spent time playing a partner game that gives students practice naming shapes and giving very specific directions. Each player has a 3 X 3 grid with a star in the middle and a basket with 9 identical shapes. A book is used to create a barrier so partners can't see each other's grids. Players take turns giving directions for placing the 9 shapes on the grid, trying to create identical grids. This requires precise directions that include naming the shapes and using position words (e.g. put the small green tringle below the star) as well as careful listening.

This week we read the book "Grandfather Tang's Story", by Ann Tompert, a Chinese folk tale about two foxes told in tangrams, which are seven shapes cut from a square, arranged to make other shapes. Through the story the foxes shift their shapes to become different animals. After we read the story students had an opportunity to make their own creations with tangram pieces.