This week we finished sharing individual artifact bags.   Children were very interested to see what each of their classmates had to share.  While children were sharing we practiced listening with our whole bodies - making sure that our eyes were looking at the speaker, our ears were hearing what was said, our mouths were quiet, our hands and bodies were still, and most importantly that our minds were thinking about what was being shared.  We used an image of a fox to remind of us what this looks like, but noted that most animals spend time sitting quietly and paying close attention.  After their classmates shared children had an opportunity to ask questions or make a comment.  We practiced keeping our questions and comments focused on what was shared and trying to be specific.

We had a very productive first week of school!  Much or our time was spent exploring materials that we will use throughout the year and establishing classroom and school-wide routines.  Choice time seems to be a class favorite!  On Friday, we also met our third and fourth grade learning partners.   We will work with them once a week, most often reading but participating in a variety of other activities as well.  This is a time that both kindergarteners and older children grow to love.

If you have not yet returned your child's red folder please do so as soon as possible.  This helps Kathi tremendously.  It also makes it much easier for me to add pictures to my blog posts if we have media permission forms!  Children can bring in artifact bags any time- we will share several each day until everyone has had a turn.

Finally, thank you!  I appreciate that transitioning young children to a new school year is a big undertaking and your efforts at home play a huge role in everyone's success at school.

A few photos from Monday's fabulous Field Day.  (Some children managed to elude me for the duration of the event!)  Thank you to Ally Bataille for organizing this great event.  Wishing everyone a fantastic summer!!

Wednesday was our final ECO for the year.  Despite the steady rain when we first left we had a lovely final morning in the woods and actually saw a bit of sun.  Alas, I did not take any photos, but I am including some from throughout the year.  A huge thank you to Eve Bernhard, our leader from North Branch Nature Center, and Barbara Fortune, who accompanied us each week as a volunteer.  Also thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who joined us for a session or two.  We had a fantastic year of ECO!

On Friday morning we were extremely fortunate to have Steele's grandparents visit us to make bluebird houses.  Mr. Craig brought all of the materials for each child to make a house.  He graciously demonstrated for children and adults and then we went to work.   This was a really fun project for a rainy Friday morning!  For the children working with me it was also a great opportunity to watch their teacher try and fail and try again (I need practice hammering nails without bending them!)  A huge thank you to Mr. Craig, Grandma Susan, Kellee Mazer, Susan Laskaris, and Mary Jane and Spencer Potter - all of the adult support made this a huge success.

Last week we finished writing the pages for our nature name books and created covers for them.   Children used pictures of their animals and looked for shapes to construct a collage of their animals.   As soon as the books are put together and we share them with reading buddies these will be sent home!