Hello. Just a few quick thoughts to send your way at the start of our week. Stay warm!
Library Card / Library Books
Be sure that your child brings their library card to school THIS Wednesday, November 19th when we will be traveling to the library. Also, October library books are due this day so feel free to have your child bring last month's books with them to return when we get to the library.
While on the topic of reading and books, also note that our Scholastic Book Order window has been extended to this Wednesday. Please feel free to order until then if you would still like. First time orderers, don't forget to use our activation code NCNYY. I still have some FREE book coupons available. Click HERE to place an order.
Homework - Thanksgiving Break
Please note that there will be no spelling homework this week or next week due to Thanksgiving Break. Upon our return from Thanksgiving Break, we will begin new Spelling sorts with most of our groups starting new spelling units. In addition, please also note that there will not be a Math Homework packet next week due to our short week. Instead, students will be taking home a fun Thanksgiving Break Homework packet to complete. Enjoy the various activities that it holds and enjoy the time with your family. Remember, there is no school or BASP next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Thanksgiving Feast
THANK YOU to all who so very quickly volunteered to help out with our Feast supplies. Your prompt replies are so very much appreciated. We are still in need of tables for our student & teacher feast and one parent volunteer to help with serving and cleaning. Please click HERE if you are able to help out in those ways. Also, please be sure to have all necessary supplies to school by THIS Friday, November 21st (tables can come to school on Monday the 24th). I will not be here on Friday, but will leave a note with the sub to expect the supplies. Dry goods and supplies can be stored in the Project Room & refrigerated goods should be labeled, "Cottontails" and be placed in the Kitchen's refrigerator. Many thanks again for your help and support! We are so excited for the fun!
Toys from Home
Please note that up until this point in our school year all toys from home must remain at home. Most often, Kindergarteners are welcome to bring a toy to share with their classmates during recess time. I enjoy this opportunity as encourages sharing and cooperative play. An important rule is that these toys from home remain in backpacks or cubbies until recess time. Unfortunately, our Kindergarten friends have not been able to abide by this important rule and because of it we have discussed the importance of following directions and trust. As a class we have discussed that all toys must stay at home until we can trust in each other that directions and rules will be followed. Please be sure your child keeps all toys at home until this occurs. When it does, I will happily communicate the chance to bring toys back to school home to you. Thank you for understanding.
Outdoor Gear
Burr!!! It is cold out there! Today we were forced inside due to the blustering wind; however, if the wind chill remains above 0 we will go outside. Our little bodies need the time to run around and enjoy the snow. Because of this be sure that your child has all necessary supplies to stay warm outside - jacket, snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots (and an indoor pair of shoes, too) are necessary supplies.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Volunteer Opportunity: Thanksgiving Feast
The season of giving is here. Our much anticipated Thanksgiving Feast is just around the corner. The K-6 students and staff will gather together on Tuesday, November 25th to give thanks and enjoy traditional Thanksgiving foods created by each classroom. This year, the students will be preparing for an unprecedented 100+ guests. Because of our large numbers, and due to the students cooking all the dishes, this event is a K-6 student and faculty only event. The Feast will be a hearty one and students will not need a lunch from home on Tuesday, November 25th.
The Cottontails are excited to bake three batches of Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. I am in need of parents to help supply ingredients for our baked goods (and 50 plates). Please use THIS link to sign up to bring one or more ingredient for us to use in our cooking. Please bring in ingredients no later than THIS Friday, November 21st.
In addition, Willowwind is also in need of two parent volunteers from each classroom to help with serving and clean up. If you are able, please consider joining us to help serve and clean up so that students and teachers can focus on enjoying each other's company and relishing in all that we are grateful for. Please use the link above to sign up for a time slot.
Finally, Willowwind is also in need of card tables (just tables no chairs). If you have a card table that Willowwind can borrow please indicate so and the number of people it can seat on the above linked sign up sheet. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
We are so very excited for our Feast Day. Please let me know if you have any questions. I know that your child will be excited to share all the fun we have when they see you Tuesday after school. Thank you in advance for your preparation help!
The Cottontails are excited to bake three batches of Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. I am in need of parents to help supply ingredients for our baked goods (and 50 plates). Please use THIS link to sign up to bring one or more ingredient for us to use in our cooking. Please bring in ingredients no later than THIS Friday, November 21st.
In addition, Willowwind is also in need of two parent volunteers from each classroom to help with serving and clean up. If you are able, please consider joining us to help serve and clean up so that students and teachers can focus on enjoying each other's company and relishing in all that we are grateful for. Please use the link above to sign up for a time slot.
Finally, Willowwind is also in need of card tables (just tables no chairs). If you have a card table that Willowwind can borrow please indicate so and the number of people it can seat on the above linked sign up sheet. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
We are so very excited for our Feast Day. Please let me know if you have any questions. I know that your child will be excited to share all the fun we have when they see you Tuesday after school. Thank you in advance for your preparation help!
Scholastic Book Wizard & Orders
I'm excited to share with you a tool I recently discovered to help you find books for your home library that fit within your child's reading level. It is Scholastic's Book Wizard and it is a great feature where you can order many books directly from Scholastic's Reading Club program.
To look for books at your child's reading level go to:
http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/
Click "Search by Reading Level" to get started. Here you can search for books based on your child's reading level. You can search by:
• Grade Level - Reading Equivalent
• Guided Reading A-Z Level (preferred search option)
• Lexile Reading Number Range
To find your child's reading level, please refer to your child's Reading Level Correlation Chart you received at last week's Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Because of this great option and it's link to our Scholastic Book Order Reading Club program I plan to extend our November Book Order Sale until this Wednesday, November 19th. Remember, our new parent activation code is NCNYY. If you are still interested in ordering, or would like to order more books from your child's reading level, I have ADDITIONAL FREE BOOK COUPONS available. If you are interested in taking advantage of these extra coupons please let me know and I will send the codes your way.
Enjoy this tool available to help build your child's reading level library at your home. Or, use their mobile app where you can find books appropriate for your child's reading development at the local library.
To look for books at your child's reading level go to:
http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/
Click "Search by Reading Level" to get started. Here you can search for books based on your child's reading level. You can search by:
• Grade Level - Reading Equivalent
• Guided Reading A-Z Level (preferred search option)
• Lexile Reading Number Range
To find your child's reading level, please refer to your child's Reading Level Correlation Chart you received at last week's Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Because of this great option and it's link to our Scholastic Book Order Reading Club program I plan to extend our November Book Order Sale until this Wednesday, November 19th. Remember, our new parent activation code is NCNYY. If you are still interested in ordering, or would like to order more books from your child's reading level, I have ADDITIONAL FREE BOOK COUPONS available. If you are interested in taking advantage of these extra coupons please let me know and I will send the codes your way.
Enjoy this tool available to help build your child's reading level library at your home. Or, use their mobile app where you can find books appropriate for your child's reading development at the local library.
Our classroom is FULL of happy and content readers! Happy reading to you!
PS: DON'T FORGET!!! We are headed to the library THIS Wednesday, November 19th. Please be sure your child has their library card.
Monday, November 10, 2014
THIS Thur 11.13 Field Trip POSTPONED
Due to the anticipated cold weather, we have elected to postpone the all-school field trip on Thursday, November 13th. Our day at Hickory Hill Park will be rescheduled for the spring semester.
Please plan for a normal school day THIS Thursday, November 13th with normal pick up and drop off to occur at Willowwind School with normal Before and After School Programming available. Thank you for your flexibility as we respond to the unexpected! Please let me know if you have questions.
Please plan for a normal school day THIS Thursday, November 13th with normal pick up and drop off to occur at Willowwind School with normal Before and After School Programming available. Thank you for your flexibility as we respond to the unexpected! Please let me know if you have questions.
Scholastic Book Orders Due THIS Fri 11.14
Thank you to those that have made Scholastic Book orders. Doing so helps build your child's library and our library in Kindergarten. Remember, all orders (online or in paper) are due THIS Friday, November 14th. This month is a GREAT month to get some of that Holiday shopping done for your little ones or other special children in your life. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Happy Shopping!
To shop online:
1) VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
2) First time visitors: SET UP an account for your family - Enter class activation code NCNYY
3) SHOP from a variety of inexpensive book. November is a perfect time to stock up on gifts!
4) SUBMIT your order online or to me by Friday, November 14th to help earn FREE books for our classroom.
To shop online:
1) VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
2) First time visitors: SET UP an account for your family - Enter class activation code NCNYY
3) SHOP from a variety of inexpensive book. November is a perfect time to stock up on gifts!
4) SUBMIT your order online or to me by Friday, November 14th to help earn FREE books for our classroom.
Don't forget to use your TWO FREE book coupons that were sent home last week.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Math Mania!
The Kindergarteners have loved splitting into daily small groups to study and work with various math concepts. Below you will find updates from each of our Math groups. Contact your child's small group math teacher for any question or concerns.
Michelle's Math Class - The Dime Group
Throughout October and November, the Dime Group has been studying Number Bonds and Shapes and Patterns. With Chapter 2, we learned how to use number bonds to better understanding putting numbers together and taking numbers a part. Number bonds form an important foundation for the learning of the concepts of addition and subtraction - making these concepts easier to understand. Learning about parts and wholes helps students see how to make different number bonds for a given number. Number bonds also helped students begin practicing mental math.
Our background knowledge of shapes includes identifying, naming and describing a variety of plane ("flat") shapes. Throughout Chapter 5, students extend their knowledge of shapes using vocabulary terms such as: edges, sides, and corners. We have also been studying how shapes are alike and different by describing their geometric attributes and properties. To better understand "attributes" we have been playing "Which Doesn't Belong?" where students gather up shapes that share one (or more) attributes and one that doesn't. We will continue to learn about solid ("3d") shapes, how to relate shapes to real world objects, and how to make elaborate patterns with shapes. Questions? Contact Michelle at michelleb@willowwind.org.
Lou's Math Class - The Nickel Group
Flat and 3D shapes are all around us! We have had so much fun the past two weeks starting to identify flat and 3D shapes.
Flat Shapes:
We have started our shape unit in the nickel (miss Lou) group last week week. We started our unit off by identifying flat shapes: triangle, square, rectangle and circle. We used shapes from to make patterns and pictures. Students focused on not only recognizing the shape everywhere around us but also on how to recognize the word. Questions we asked ourselves about each flat shape:
How many sides does it have?
How many corners does it have?
What makes this shape the same as the rest? What makes it different?
3D Shapes:
We have slowly transitioned into 3D shapes as well. We started off by recognizing 3D shapes in our world: cube, cone, pyramid, sphere, cylinder and rectangular prism. Click HERE for 3D Shapes Song. Questions we have started to ask ourselves:
What shapes can you stack?
What shapes can you slide?
Which shapes can you roll?
How many sides does this shape have?
How many corners does this shape have?
Questions? Contact Lou at lindseyh@willowwind.org.
Meridith's Math Class - The Penny Group
The penny group has been having so much fun learning! We started using countable objects to develop the association between the physical representation of the number, the number symbol, and the number word. Besides counting the objects in a set, and crating a set with a given number of objects, we have also been differentiating between numbers of objects in sets. This is a skill that forms a basis for number comparison. We have just begun work on chapter two which is all about number bonds. Number bonds can be used to show parts and the whole. This part-whole analysis forms the basis for the concept of adding two numbers to get another number. We use what we have learned in previous chapters about counting numbers, written numbers, and number recognition to scaffold our learning in chapter two. We are excited to learn about math each day! Questions? Contact Meridith at meridithd@willowwind.org.
Conference Sign Up Reminder
Conferences are this Tuesday and Friday (No School Day) and next Tuesday. Please be sure to click HERE to sign up for a 30 minute conference slot. So I can plan and prepare accordingly, all conferences must be schedule by this Wednesday, November 12th. During this time we will talk about your child's progress throughout the Fall semester and continued areas of focus. I look forward to meeting with you.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
New Class Website!
The Cottontail Rabbits NEW website is LIVE! Willowwind teachers are thrilled to provide our families with websites once again. Please visit our website to learn more about our Kindergarten program and your child's Kindergarten experience.
Our new webiste web address is:
willowwindcottontails.weebly.com
The tabs at the top of the website allow you to look around. Website tabs include:
• Welcome Tab - This home page provides you a link to our classroom blog:
cottontailchatter.blogspot.com
• Calendar Tab - Take a look here for an updated calendar with classroom specific and school wide events.
• Curriculum Tab - Here you can find updated summaries of our Kindergarten curriculums as well as links to additional information.
• Photos Tab - Look here for monthly photo albums that highlight our fun. You will find albums for August, September, and October.
• Websites Tab - This page is currently under construction but will provide you links to other classes' websites and blogs. It will also provide links to some of my favorite educational websites for Kindergarteners to use.
• Contact Tab - A built-in contact page as an additional way to get ahold of me.
Enjoy the website! I am so excited to have an additional resource for you and an additional way to share information with you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
In the meantime, enjoy these fun photos from our day of Halloween fun! More photos from Halloween and all of October can be found in the Oct 2014 photo album.
Our new webiste web address is:
willowwindcottontails.weebly.com
The tabs at the top of the website allow you to look around. Website tabs include:
• Welcome Tab - This home page provides you a link to our classroom blog:
cottontailchatter.blogspot.com
• Calendar Tab - Take a look here for an updated calendar with classroom specific and school wide events.
• Curriculum Tab - Here you can find updated summaries of our Kindergarten curriculums as well as links to additional information.
• Photos Tab - Look here for monthly photo albums that highlight our fun. You will find albums for August, September, and October.
• Websites Tab - This page is currently under construction but will provide you links to other classes' websites and blogs. It will also provide links to some of my favorite educational websites for Kindergarteners to use.
• Contact Tab - A built-in contact page as an additional way to get ahold of me.
Enjoy the website! I am so excited to have an additional resource for you and an additional way to share information with you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
In the meantime, enjoy these fun photos from our day of Halloween fun! More photos from Halloween and all of October can be found in the Oct 2014 photo album.
A class full of fun, sweet, scary, spooky costumes!
A sweet skeleton and her friend Malificent!
Reading Buddies
Captain American Iron Man checking out the pumpkin characters.
A cottontail rabbit and her cute monkey man!
November Reminders
Please pay careful attention the following reminders regarding important information and upcoming events.
1) Head Lice
The Cottontail Rabbit classroom as a confirmed case of head lice. In order to help be sure that our classroom space remains lice free all students brought home blankets on Monday. Please leave all blankets at home until next Monday when you are free to bring back a blanket for your child to use at Rest Time. In addition, I encourage you to wash all hats, gloves, jackets, and swap out changes of clothes found in your child's cubby. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.
2) Outdoor Gear
Our morning recesses are cold!! Please be sure your child is prepared to play outside in this chilly Fall weather.
3) Pick-Up Time
Our parking lot can get busy during school dismissal time. During this time, please be sure to pull all the way up to the curb for pick-up. I am happy to provide curbside service and help your child get in your car as we happily say hello and they eagerly await to tell you about their day. If you need to take time to chat with me for longer than a minute or so PLEASE feel free to do so - Willowwind just asks that you park in a spot so we can adequately discuss needs without disrupting the flow of traffic. The red painted curb is a pick-up / loading zone only. Thank you for your help in expediting the pick-up process.
4) Michelle's November Absences
Wednesday, November 5th - Friday, November 7th
Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st
I will be out of the classroom periodically during the month of November. This week, I have the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for ISACS annual conference where I am thrilled to hear Angela Duckworth speak on the topic of Grit. New and familiar faces will be here to help keep classroom routine while I am away. Please help your child prepare for my absences and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
5) November's Friday Parent Coffee
THIS Friday, November 7th
This Friday, stay after drop off as Willowwind parent and Iowa Chapter Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Tess Barker, JD/PhD, will be our guest speaker. Here presentation, "The First 2000 Days: How Early Childhood Experiences Impact Lifelong Health and Well Being", will describe the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study and provide an overview of how early brain development is shaped by ACES. It will also describe possible reposes to ACEs, including the importance of fostering resiliency and grit in our children. What a fabulous coffee topic!
6) Garden Clean Up Day
Saturday, November 8th 9:00
Mike Fallon, Monarch parent, will be joining with Scott Koepke from New Pi to lead a Garden Clean-Up Day. Parents and children are invited to meet at WW to work together to prepare the garden for winter. Mike and coot will be teaching about mulching, care of the soil, and planning for next year's garden - all tips we can use with our own home gardens. Volunteer hours can be logged in the volunteer log book to complete your family service agreement. Dress for the weather, bring gloves, hand tools, and a water bottle. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
7) Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 11th; Friday, November 14th (No School Day); Tuesday, November 18th
Please be sure to click HERE to sign up for a 30 minute conference slot. During this time we will talk about your child's progress throughout the Fall semester and continued areas of focus. I look forward to meeting with you.
8) Field Trip to Hickory Hill Park
Thursday, November 13th - ALL DAY
9) Scholastic Book Orders
Due: Friday, November 14th
To shop online:
1) VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
2) First time visitors: SET UP an account for your family - Enter class activation code NCNYY
3) SHOP from a variety of inexpensive book. November is a perfect time to stock up on gifts!
4) SUBMIT your order online or to me by Friday, November 14th to help earn FREE books for our classroom.
5) Don't forget to use your TWO FREE book coupons that were sent home last week.
10) November ICPL Field Trip
Wednesday, November 19th 9:30 - 12:15
Please be sure your child has their library card. October library books are also due on the 19th of November.
11) Thanksgiving Feast
Tuesday, November 25th
More Information to Follow
12) Thanksgiving Break - No School / No BASP
Wednesday, November 26th - Friday, November 28th
1) Head Lice
The Cottontail Rabbit classroom as a confirmed case of head lice. In order to help be sure that our classroom space remains lice free all students brought home blankets on Monday. Please leave all blankets at home until next Monday when you are free to bring back a blanket for your child to use at Rest Time. In addition, I encourage you to wash all hats, gloves, jackets, and swap out changes of clothes found in your child's cubby. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.
2) Outdoor Gear
Our morning recesses are cold!! Please be sure your child is prepared to play outside in this chilly Fall weather.
3) Pick-Up Time
Our parking lot can get busy during school dismissal time. During this time, please be sure to pull all the way up to the curb for pick-up. I am happy to provide curbside service and help your child get in your car as we happily say hello and they eagerly await to tell you about their day. If you need to take time to chat with me for longer than a minute or so PLEASE feel free to do so - Willowwind just asks that you park in a spot so we can adequately discuss needs without disrupting the flow of traffic. The red painted curb is a pick-up / loading zone only. Thank you for your help in expediting the pick-up process.
4) Michelle's November Absences
Wednesday, November 5th - Friday, November 7th
Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st
I will be out of the classroom periodically during the month of November. This week, I have the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for ISACS annual conference where I am thrilled to hear Angela Duckworth speak on the topic of Grit. New and familiar faces will be here to help keep classroom routine while I am away. Please help your child prepare for my absences and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
5) November's Friday Parent Coffee
THIS Friday, November 7th
This Friday, stay after drop off as Willowwind parent and Iowa Chapter Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Tess Barker, JD/PhD, will be our guest speaker. Here presentation, "The First 2000 Days: How Early Childhood Experiences Impact Lifelong Health and Well Being", will describe the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study and provide an overview of how early brain development is shaped by ACES. It will also describe possible reposes to ACEs, including the importance of fostering resiliency and grit in our children. What a fabulous coffee topic!
6) Garden Clean Up Day
Saturday, November 8th 9:00
Mike Fallon, Monarch parent, will be joining with Scott Koepke from New Pi to lead a Garden Clean-Up Day. Parents and children are invited to meet at WW to work together to prepare the garden for winter. Mike and coot will be teaching about mulching, care of the soil, and planning for next year's garden - all tips we can use with our own home gardens. Volunteer hours can be logged in the volunteer log book to complete your family service agreement. Dress for the weather, bring gloves, hand tools, and a water bottle. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
7) Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 11th; Friday, November 14th (No School Day); Tuesday, November 18th
Please be sure to click HERE to sign up for a 30 minute conference slot. During this time we will talk about your child's progress throughout the Fall semester and continued areas of focus. I look forward to meeting with you.
8) Field Trip to Hickory Hill Park
Thursday, November 13th - ALL DAY
On Thursday, November 13th, at 8:15, families are asked to drop-off their children at the Bloomington Street entrance to Hickory Hill Park. Teachers will arrive by for BSP (charges apply) and parents can begin regular school day drop-off AT HICKORY HILL PARK at 8:00 when no BSP charges will apply. BSP AND the WHOLE SCHOOL DAY will occur at Hickory Hill Park. At the end of our school day, students will be at the Bloomington Street pavilion in the park for pick-up. Please plan accordingly for a change in your pick-up routine on this day. Teachers will drive the students who need ASP to Willowwind at that time. Again, please plan ahead for this unique day and communicate with your classroom teacher if your child will need to go to ASP at Willowwind. All students still at Hickory Hill Park at 2:15 will be counted for and charged accordingly for ASP.
9) Scholastic Book Orders
Due: Friday, November 14th
To shop online:
1) VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
2) First time visitors: SET UP an account for your family - Enter class activation code NCNYY
3) SHOP from a variety of inexpensive book. November is a perfect time to stock up on gifts!
4) SUBMIT your order online or to me by Friday, November 14th to help earn FREE books for our classroom.
5) Don't forget to use your TWO FREE book coupons that were sent home last week.
10) November ICPL Field Trip
Wednesday, November 19th 9:30 - 12:15
Please be sure your child has their library card. October library books are also due on the 19th of November.
11) Thanksgiving Feast
Tuesday, November 25th
More Information to Follow
12) Thanksgiving Break - No School / No BASP
Wednesday, November 26th - Friday, November 28th
Specials Newsletter - Oct / Nov
Please enjoy an update from our Specials teachers:
Physical Education - Karen
Physical Education - Karen
Physical Education at Willowwind keeps kids moving for fitness and brain power! Did you know that your child is physically active most of their PE class? For forty-five minutes twice week, they are running, jumping, chasing, fleeing, kicking, throwing, and more. My objective is to spend every minute we have together in PE engaged in physical activity. Why is being physically active in PE class such a high priority? Studies continue to prove that physical activity increases fitness and brain power. Physical education benefits the whole child- their body health and their brain health. If you are looking for your child’s success in the classroom, it’s worth considering how physically active they are when they are not in class.
Check out this link to a blog from the “New York Times” that summarizes the current research connecting physical activity and increased thinking and learning capabilities. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/how-exercise-can-boost-the-childs-brain/
How does our PE class keep kids physically active at Willowwind? We accomplish this task by an established and predictable daily PE class structure. Class starts with a quick, easy and active game that raises their heart beat. Next, students take on individualized and varied fitness challenges. Afterwards, students learn and practice motor and sport skills. Class ends with a game that applies the skills of the day in a game. My strategy to keep kids moving in PE is to plan fun physical activities for the entire 45 minutes. This 45 minute block of physical activity prepares them for the learning tasks they have back in their classrooms.
In October, the focus of our motor and sport skills lessons in PE have been throwing and catching, kicking, bowling, rolling, bean-bag toss and catch and soccer-related skills.
Students participated in the Healthiest State walk sponsored by Live Healthy Iowa, a program of the Iowa Sports Foundation. Live Healthy Iowa is a health initiative that brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change. Willowwind took on the challenge by participating in the Healthiest State Walk. Our participation moves Iowa one step closer toward the goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.
In November, our motor and sport skill lessons will be centered on gymnastics, rhythmic movement, long rope jumping, parachute and fitness. Students will learn about muscles, bones and nutrition, too. We will accomplish all our PE learning objectives while being engaged in physical activity. And while physically active in PE, we are also preparing their brain for learning their classroom objectives.
How can you help keep your kids physically active at home and increase brain power? Set a goal of one hour of physical activity a day together. Turn off the TV and computer games. Play together as a family. Encourage playdates with friends and neighbors that center around being physically active. Sign up for an afterschool club or recreation sport. Take advantage of the weekends to fit in a fun family physical activity, like a hike, trip to a park or playground, or a bike ride.
Together, we will increase the health of the body and brain of your child by being physically active!
Karen Robbins
Visual Arts - Ryan
We teachers thought it would be best to postpone Partner Book illustrations toward the end of the school year, so that students have time to develop their skills and grow with their Partner Family. Because of this, we started our Ceramics block on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Kindergartners learned that Ceramics is working with clay bodies. At Willowwind, we work with Earthenware clay (or “Earth clay.”) They learned that Earthenware clay comes from the ground, and needs water to work with. Students will learn some of the drying process of earthenware clay, such as wet clay, bone-dry, and bisque. The kiddos will see the kiln, to better understand the process of firing bone-dry clay.
Students will learn three hand-building techniques throughout this block – pinching, coiling, and slab-building. I plan to show some Native American pottery and sculptures to both educate and inspire the kiddos.
Clay will not permanently damage any clothing, but it is mud. As always, please wear appropriate clothing on Art days. Also, with the weather getting colder, you may want to apply some hand lotion when your child gets home to prevent skin irritation.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Ryan
Music - Katherine
Check out Katherine's blog for updates at:
Spanish - Megan
En la clase de español, we continued to sing songs by José Luis Orozco. Most of the niños now know “Buenos dias” y “Chocolate” by heart, and they are learning the words to “El barquito chiquito” (The Little Boat) and “El tambor” (The Drum). They love modeling “chiquito” with their hand motions and drumming in various ways. I love their broad smiles as they sing. In honor of “Fire Safety” in October, we read “Fire, Fuego! Brave Bomberos!” I was surprised by all the vocabulary words they were able to learn! After some practice, many of them can say the following vocabulary words: bombero, capitán, fuego, agua, gato. Ask them to see what they remember! We even did mini-skits to practice the vocabulary words. Feliz otoño!
En la clase de español, we continued to sing songs by José Luis Orozco. Most of the niños now know “Buenos dias” y “Chocolate” by heart, and they are learning the words to “El barquito chiquito” (The Little Boat) and “El tambor” (The Drum). They love modeling “chiquito” with their hand motions and drumming in various ways. I love their broad smiles as they sing. In honor of “Fire Safety” in October, we read “Fire, Fuego! Brave Bomberos!” I was surprised by all the vocabulary words they were able to learn! After some practice, many of them can say the following vocabulary words: bombero, capitán, fuego, agua, gato. Ask them to see what they remember! We even did mini-skits to practice the vocabulary words. Feliz otoño!
Megan
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