During math one of our stations is almost always a game.  Games are fun ways for children to work on various math skills including counting, number recognition and decomposition (different ways to make one number.)   While we play these primarily to strengthen our math skills, it is also a great opportunity to practice the social skills involved in playing a partner game, including being kind, flexible, and patient.   We have had discussions about the importance of playing the games the right way (not cheating!),  playing willingly with any partner, not just close friends, helping each other, and being a good sport.  We always end our games by shaking hands and saying "good game!"

During our last couple of ECO sessions we have explored the changing forest.  Two weeks ago we explored leaves.  We learned about chlorophyl , one of three important ingredients used by trees to make their own food, via a puppet named Claraphyl.  She gives leaves their green color in summer, but is pulled back into the tree as it prepares to rest for winter, revealing the colors underneath.  We did a leaf scavenger hunt and talked about the differences in leaf shape and texture.

Last week we focused on what happens to all of those leaves once they fall to the ground.  Imagine if they just piled up year after year!  Fortunately we have decomposers to take care of natural waste.  Ask your child about the job of a decomposer and some of the decomposers we discovered in the forest - it's amazing how many can be found once you start looking!

We have four more ECO sessions this fall, with the last one on November 8th, just before hunting season.  Parents (and grandparents) are always welcome to join us!

A regular and much anticipated part of our Morning Meeting each day is sharing.  On most days 2-3 children have something to share.  This is a great opportunity for the child who is sharing to practice speaking with a loud, clear voice, using specific details to describe the share.  At the same time it is a wonderful opportunity for classmates to practice listening.  After a share three children are called on to ask a question or make a comment about the share.  We have talked about making specific comments and keeping both questions and comments focused on the person who shared (rather than saying "I have the same thing" or "that reminds me of the time I..."- a great life skill for everyone!)

Children are not assigned share days, but they may share only once in a given week.  I used to put parameters around what could be shared, but after many thoughtful, insightful discussions with different classes, I have decided that as long as it is important to the child it is worthy of sharing.  However, most shares need to be put away in the child's backpack after sharing, unless their is a direct connection to learning (books could be looked at during reading, a notebook could be written in during writing time).  Some ideas for shares include objects with special significance, favorite books, something a child has made, or a favorite of mine, telling shares about an event or experience.

Several weeks ago we began working on phonological awareness using a program called Fundations.  This is a multi-sensory program that introduces children to letters, letter sounds, and their written formation.  We have been learning 2-3 new letters each week and have learned 9 so far (t, f, b, m, n, u, i, o, and c.)  If you have heard your child saying "T -top -t" or "B- bat- b" this is Fundations practice!  For letter formation we are focusing on lower case letters right now, practicing in a variety of ways including sky-writing, which is writing the letters in the air, writing on white boards, finger painting, and using highlighters, which always seems to be the class favorite.  An important part of our hand writing practice is using an appropriate tripod grip, which we refer to as a pinch grip, and this is something to encourage if your child is writing at home.  We will continue working on these skills throughout the year.

During choice time several students have been eager to create things using recyclables and other materials such as craft sticks and pipe cleaners.  They have been thoroughly engaged as they make things including piggy banks, airplanes, telescopes, and castles.  As this activity has grown more popular I am finding that my own recycling supply isn't keeping up with student demand.  Please feel free to send in recycling items from your own home.  Small boxes, paper towel tubes, and interesting paper, ribbons, or fabric are especially coveted, although I think anything you send will be used in some way!  My storage capacity is limited so sending items a bag at a time rather than a truckload is appreciated!