Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Specials Requests
| Ms. Danielle and Ms. Christine are in need of your help. Please email them directly if you can help out. |
Monday, April 9, 2012
Library Love
The Cottontail Rabbits enjoy our monthly trips to the library. it is fun to browse the shelves for books that highlight our range of interests.
~ aircraft carriers
~ space
~ nature
~ the Navy
~ Dr. Seuss
~ fairies
~ princesses
~ ancient civilizations
~ Star Wars
This semester, students have been working to find "just right" books. A "just right" book is a one that students can read on their own or with a little help. We go to the Readers shelves and look for books by Dr. Seuss, P.D. Eastman, and the Berensteins. Other "just right" favorites include Biscuit, BOB books, and Dora.
Once we find our books, we enjoy using the Children's Library self-checkout. Then, we find cozy spots to share our books with each other.
This month, we will be traveling to the library on Wednesday, April 18th. Please be sure your child has their library card. March books are due THIS Wednesday, April 11th.
It is fun to see their interest in reading grow and grow. Our monthly trips to the library certainly help foster this love for reading. I am fortunate for our trips to the public library. Happy reading!
PS: A special thanks to Ms. Brooke for the wonderful pictures!
~ aircraft carriers
~ space
~ nature
~ the Navy
~ Dr. Seuss
~ fairies
~ princesses
~ ancient civilizations
~ Star Wars
This semester, students have been working to find "just right" books. A "just right" book is a one that students can read on their own or with a little help. We go to the Readers shelves and look for books by Dr. Seuss, P.D. Eastman, and the Berensteins. Other "just right" favorites include Biscuit, BOB books, and Dora.
Once we find our books, we enjoy using the Children's Library self-checkout. Then, we find cozy spots to share our books with each other.
This month, we will be traveling to the library on Wednesday, April 18th. Please be sure your child has their library card. March books are due THIS Wednesday, April 11th.
It is fun to see their interest in reading grow and grow. Our monthly trips to the library certainly help foster this love for reading. I am fortunate for our trips to the public library. Happy reading!
PS: A special thanks to Ms. Brooke for the wonderful pictures!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Quiet Observations - Eagle Cam Pretend Play
Quiet Observation 12:
The Cottontails love opportunities to play creatively. Pretend play extends their imagination and provides them with chances to build upon their communication skills as well as their social and emotional development. The Decorah Eagle Cam has the Cottontail class excited for the new life that Spring brings. During our daily iPad turns, students have access to the "UStream" app where they can catch the Eagle Cam's live feed. Within the last couple of weeks all three eaglets have hatched. During Free Play time, friends may call classmates over to the iPad to share in the exciting live video images found through taking a peek into the eagles' nest.
The Cottontails have become so excited over the nest's flurry of activity that they have taken what they've seen on the iPad and created their own "Eagle Cam" world at recess. Together, as a whole class, the Kindergarteners can be found using their recess times to play "Eagle Cam". Prior to the hatching of the eggs, friends would take turns being the mama and daddy eagle while other friends were the eggs. They built a large eagles' nest within the wood chips. The eggs would stay cuddle in the nest while the mama and daddy would soar around protecting their home. At one point, they asked if I'd be the mama and sit on the eggs (who, remember, are actually the students!). I graciously declined to sit on them :), but offered to "fly" with the mama and daddy eagles to hunt for food and keep the eggs safe. Pretend play can be fun for adults, too!!
One day, our view into the nest gave us a peek into the food the eagles would bring back. We took group time to watch the mama carefully section pieces of prey (a cottontail rabbit nonetheless) and feed it to the eaglets. Since then, the Kindergarteners have become flying eagles out searching for prey to feed to the friends that are the designated eaglets for the day. A week ago, I held the coveted "mama eagle" position. Now, I'm chased down by a group of eagle friends as I have become their prey!
Regardless of my position in their game, I love taking moments to watch my 15 friends play together. Their interactions are fantastic! To see the whole class play together with smiles on their faces, laughs in their voices, and energy in their bodies is, simply put, a wonderful benefit to what I can amazingly call my job.
Take a moment to check out the baby eaglets and their parents via the Decorah Eagle Cam and check out this picture of my eagle and eaglet friends. They are too much fun!
The Cottontails love opportunities to play creatively. Pretend play extends their imagination and provides them with chances to build upon their communication skills as well as their social and emotional development. The Decorah Eagle Cam has the Cottontail class excited for the new life that Spring brings. During our daily iPad turns, students have access to the "UStream" app where they can catch the Eagle Cam's live feed. Within the last couple of weeks all three eaglets have hatched. During Free Play time, friends may call classmates over to the iPad to share in the exciting live video images found through taking a peek into the eagles' nest.
The Cottontails have become so excited over the nest's flurry of activity that they have taken what they've seen on the iPad and created their own "Eagle Cam" world at recess. Together, as a whole class, the Kindergarteners can be found using their recess times to play "Eagle Cam". Prior to the hatching of the eggs, friends would take turns being the mama and daddy eagle while other friends were the eggs. They built a large eagles' nest within the wood chips. The eggs would stay cuddle in the nest while the mama and daddy would soar around protecting their home. At one point, they asked if I'd be the mama and sit on the eggs (who, remember, are actually the students!). I graciously declined to sit on them :), but offered to "fly" with the mama and daddy eagles to hunt for food and keep the eggs safe. Pretend play can be fun for adults, too!!
One day, our view into the nest gave us a peek into the food the eagles would bring back. We took group time to watch the mama carefully section pieces of prey (a cottontail rabbit nonetheless) and feed it to the eaglets. Since then, the Kindergarteners have become flying eagles out searching for prey to feed to the friends that are the designated eaglets for the day. A week ago, I held the coveted "mama eagle" position. Now, I'm chased down by a group of eagle friends as I have become their prey!
Regardless of my position in their game, I love taking moments to watch my 15 friends play together. Their interactions are fantastic! To see the whole class play together with smiles on their faces, laughs in their voices, and energy in their bodies is, simply put, a wonderful benefit to what I can amazingly call my job.
Take a moment to check out the baby eaglets and their parents via the Decorah Eagle Cam and check out this picture of my eagle and eaglet friends. They are too much fun!
Upcoming Events
Spring is hear and Willowwind's calendar is full of exciting events. Take a look below for more details. For your convenience, I have updated the Upcoming Events sidebar on the Welcome page. I have also updated our website's Calendar page.
Burrowing Owl Cafe - THIS Friday, April 13th 7:45 - 9:00
Each year, the Burrowing Owl class looks forward to hosting the April Friday Parent Coffee. Throughout their most recent Social Studies unit, they have been studying Economics by discussing supply & demand and visiting local business to understand their business models. In conjunction with this unit, 3/4 grade students host a cafe where you can enjoy breakfast items at drop off with your child. THIS Friday please take a couple extra minutes with your child and support our older friends at their cafe which will be set up in the GD Space. Baked goods and drinks will be for sale ranging in price from 50 cents to $2. If work duties call you may leave your child with BSP or me, but please note that your child would love your extra company and a yummy treat to go with your time together. All proceeds will go to fund the Owls' class trip to Des Moines at the end of May.
Summer & Fall Open House - THIS Saturday, April 14th 10:30 - 12:30
Come learn about more about programs including our 10-week summer program. Invite your families, friends, neighbors, coworkers! Our summer programs will be previewing several classes with hands-on activities. Register for summer classes at this weekend's Open House. Check out these special activities at their designated times.
• Preschool Story Time 10:45
• Preschool / Elementary Parent Q & A 11:15
• Preschool Music TIme 11:45
• K-2 Creative Drama Preview 12:15
PreK - 6 teachers will also be on hand to discuss our school year events and curriculum.
40th Anniversary Celebration - May 3-5
May 3
• PreK - 6 Spring Music Concert 2:30 pm
• 40th Anniversary Lecture 7:00 pm
Learning, Mistakes, & Failure: Crafting New Myths for Successful Kids & Better Schools with Rick Ackerly, author of The Genius in Children
May 4
• VIP Day 11:45 am
More Information to Follow
May 5
• Silent Auction 11:00 am
This Silent Action will raise money to support next year's scholarships. Help us by donating an item to the auction. If you would like to make a donation or have questions, contact Amber before Friday, April 13th.
• Willowwind Potluck Picnic 12:00 pm
Sign up at the Front Desk.
A-E Last Name - Dessert
F-J Last Name - Bread
K-O Last Name - Fruit Dish
P-T Last Name - Meat &/ Veggie Appetizer
U-Z Last Name - Veggie Dish
• Alumni Group Discussion 1:00 pm
Burrowing Owl Cafe - THIS Friday, April 13th 7:45 - 9:00
Each year, the Burrowing Owl class looks forward to hosting the April Friday Parent Coffee. Throughout their most recent Social Studies unit, they have been studying Economics by discussing supply & demand and visiting local business to understand their business models. In conjunction with this unit, 3/4 grade students host a cafe where you can enjoy breakfast items at drop off with your child. THIS Friday please take a couple extra minutes with your child and support our older friends at their cafe which will be set up in the GD Space. Baked goods and drinks will be for sale ranging in price from 50 cents to $2. If work duties call you may leave your child with BSP or me, but please note that your child would love your extra company and a yummy treat to go with your time together. All proceeds will go to fund the Owls' class trip to Des Moines at the end of May.
Summer & Fall Open House - THIS Saturday, April 14th 10:30 - 12:30
Come learn about more about programs including our 10-week summer program. Invite your families, friends, neighbors, coworkers! Our summer programs will be previewing several classes with hands-on activities. Register for summer classes at this weekend's Open House. Check out these special activities at their designated times.
• Preschool Story Time 10:45
• Preschool / Elementary Parent Q & A 11:15
• Preschool Music TIme 11:45
• K-2 Creative Drama Preview 12:15
PreK - 6 teachers will also be on hand to discuss our school year events and curriculum.
40th Anniversary Celebration - May 3-5
May 3
• PreK - 6 Spring Music Concert 2:30 pm
• 40th Anniversary Lecture 7:00 pm
Learning, Mistakes, & Failure: Crafting New Myths for Successful Kids & Better Schools with Rick Ackerly, author of The Genius in Children
May 4
• VIP Day 11:45 am
More Information to Follow
May 5
• Silent Auction 11:00 am
This Silent Action will raise money to support next year's scholarships. Help us by donating an item to the auction. If you would like to make a donation or have questions, contact Amber before Friday, April 13th.
• Willowwind Potluck Picnic 12:00 pm
Sign up at the Front Desk.
A-E Last Name - Dessert
F-J Last Name - Bread
K-O Last Name - Fruit Dish
P-T Last Name - Meat &/ Veggie Appetizer
U-Z Last Name - Veggie Dish
• Alumni Group Discussion 1:00 pm
Quiet Observations - Independent Workers
Quiet Observation 11:
It seems that every year, the warmer weather that arrives with Spring brings Kindergartners who are ready to become independent workers. At any given moment, you can hear a busy buzz of activity throughout the classroom. Using our new found love for To-Do lists students are able to work their way through the activities our lists present and complete them at a pace that is appropriate for their working ability. If you could be a fly on the wall one afternoon, you may see friends:
~ add words to our digraph charts
~ read Weekly Words books and complete the respective activities
~ enhance fine motor skills by completing Handwriting workbook pages and/ or weave yarn together on our cardboard looms
~ work on Kid Spelling through authentic writing activities like making birthday and thank you cards
~ wash hands after using oil pastels, shaving cream, glue, and food coloring to create our spring tree trunks and branches
~ ask to free read or work on homework from their folder because they have completed all the other activities on the To-Do List
~ sing our new Magic C Rap (Have you heard it at home? These kids know how to groove!)
And all this amazing work is happening while experiencing the joy of our Sing Along playlist!
The hum of energy in this classroom is contagious. It so amazing to watch them take such pride in their work. I am truly proud of the independent workers that they are becoming!
It seems that every year, the warmer weather that arrives with Spring brings Kindergartners who are ready to become independent workers. At any given moment, you can hear a busy buzz of activity throughout the classroom. Using our new found love for To-Do lists students are able to work their way through the activities our lists present and complete them at a pace that is appropriate for their working ability. If you could be a fly on the wall one afternoon, you may see friends:
~ add words to our digraph charts
~ read Weekly Words books and complete the respective activities
~ enhance fine motor skills by completing Handwriting workbook pages and/ or weave yarn together on our cardboard looms
~ work on Kid Spelling through authentic writing activities like making birthday and thank you cards
~ wash hands after using oil pastels, shaving cream, glue, and food coloring to create our spring tree trunks and branches
~ ask to free read or work on homework from their folder because they have completed all the other activities on the To-Do List
~ sing our new Magic C Rap (Have you heard it at home? These kids know how to groove!)
And all this amazing work is happening while experiencing the joy of our Sing Along playlist!
The hum of energy in this classroom is contagious. It so amazing to watch them take such pride in their work. I am truly proud of the independent workers that they are becoming!
Quiet Observations - A Semester of Fairness Discussions
Quiet Observation 10:
Through 2012 the Cottontails have been discussing the ideas of equality and fairness. It has become a much loved topic as we've read about and understood Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama's roles in our country's history. I was truly amazed how the students were able to understand and verbalize the progression of equality through the last 200 years. Here are some snippets of our beautiful large discussions.
"Abraham Lincoln knew what was right. He was trying to show others how to be fair just like we show others The Willowwind Way."
Upon looking at a painting of African slaves ("prisoners") shackled together. "Why are they prisoners? Prisoners means they broke law. They didn't break the law, did they?"
Student 1: So if it weren't for Abraham Lincoln fighting to free the slaves, Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't have been able to speak in Washington, right?
Student 2: Yeah! And if Martin Luther King Jr. didn't ask people to be fair then maybe Barack Obama wouldn't be president.
When we read the book The Colors of Us. Students continued to comment on learning about each others' personalities on the inside and celebrating our differences on the outside. In The Colors of Us, one little girl lists all of the beautiful things about each of her friends. In doing so, the little girl's journey through her friends positive traits lead one friend to share, "See! No matter our colors we are all family."
I love these beautiful children!!!
Through 2012 the Cottontails have been discussing the ideas of equality and fairness. It has become a much loved topic as we've read about and understood Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama's roles in our country's history. I was truly amazed how the students were able to understand and verbalize the progression of equality through the last 200 years. Here are some snippets of our beautiful large discussions.
"Abraham Lincoln knew what was right. He was trying to show others how to be fair just like we show others The Willowwind Way."
Upon looking at a painting of African slaves ("prisoners") shackled together. "Why are they prisoners? Prisoners means they broke law. They didn't break the law, did they?"
Student 1: So if it weren't for Abraham Lincoln fighting to free the slaves, Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't have been able to speak in Washington, right?
Student 2: Yeah! And if Martin Luther King Jr. didn't ask people to be fair then maybe Barack Obama wouldn't be president.
When we read the book The Colors of Us. Students continued to comment on learning about each others' personalities on the inside and celebrating our differences on the outside. In The Colors of Us, one little girl lists all of the beautiful things about each of her friends. In doing so, the little girl's journey through her friends positive traits lead one friend to share, "See! No matter our colors we are all family."
I love these beautiful children!!!
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