Preprimary Update!
Prepare a snack for yourself, because this is a long overdue update on the Preprimary Classroom!

Prior to recess, the class has been practicing "The Silent Game." This is an exercise in which every person in the classroom makes an attempt to sit, together, in silence for three minutes. The purpose of this activity is to center oneself and to practice listening. This is quite a feat for young children! It is amazing the sounds the children can pick up each day. An extension of this process will be an area of the room where individuals are free to attempt to sit silently for a specific amount of time. (We use an hour glass as a visual.) As the weather warms, we will move the Game outside.

On cold and rainy days, we have been learning simple folk dances, listening and dancing to other lively music, and completing an obstable course inside the classroom.

On April 1st, Miss Jenny and Miss Melody, with the assistance of Miss Mary and many parents, played an April Fool's joke on the classroom. Miss Mary brought the children into the classroom, while the teachers hid in the hall and in the teacher work area. After assuring the children that the teachers would return shortly, Miss Mary asked a kindergarten student (Anna J.) to lead the meeting. Your children were incredible!! Who would think that 18 children under the age of six could/would have the maturity to sit and participate in a 20 minute meeting without an "authority" figure present.
Anna followed the usual routine by leading the children in the days-of-the-week song, answering questions, and making decisions. Another child suggested that everyone share. When it was determined that the sharing ball could not be reached, someone else suggested that each child raise their hand. This course of action taken, sharing commenced. Melody and Jenny were so proud of the students!

As Miss Melody had to miss several days of work in April, Mr. Dan (Heidi's previous substitute) was gracious enough to fill her spot. Even though we all very much missed Melody ("She's the best!"--Savannah S.), it was enjoyable to have Mr. Dan read to us, give a lesson on birds and one on tools, and work with individual students. Thanks, Mr. Dan!

We have constructed our last Japanese flag and shifted our focus to Africa. Today the kindergarten students and Cole learned about the gazelle, hornbill, lion, African elephant, and camel.

Fish are out, birds are in. Visit the bird shelf to find out about bird beaks (seed-eaters, meat eaters), feet (perching, climbing, hunting), types of birds, etc. On the display shelf you will see a real nest and two types of bird eggs (sans hatchlings) brought in by students.

Miss Melody has worked VERY hard to brighten and freshen the everyday living shelves (EDL). Many of her wonderful ideas come directly from the conference attended by the staff in April. Your child might choose from soap grating, egg shell grinding, wood sanding, wood polishing, copper polishing, table cleaning, bubble blowing, etc. Remember, the primary purpose of these activities is to promote concentraton, coordination, and independence, NOT to learn to clean or polish. The latter are just icing on the cake.

Speaking of cake, aren't you glad I suggested that snack at the outset?

There have been a few new art activities as well. Tire track painting, dowel painting, bookmark construction, rubberband prints, purple collage work, spring-themed rubbing, cutting and stamping work, magnets......

Thank to Kyle Meadows for building ANOTHER aquarium stand for us. Kyle was the musician who played his dulcimer at the auction. He is a man of many gifts.

Miss Jenny brought in a furry visitor at the end of April: Spot. Spot is Miss Jenny's children's pet hamster. Just after spring break Lillian shared her bunny, Pixie, with the class. Ashley and Marella, both elementary students, brought a turtle to school and Ashley and her friend, Andrea, brought the turtle to visit our class one morning. Kyle (see above) is trying to borrow some chicks, as we are studying birds. Last year Kyle's son, Douglas, brought in 2 chickens and gave us a lesson on their habits and needs. We now know that 1) chickens don't use litter boxes, and 2) chickens can, indeed, fly.

Keep Flying,
Jenny

- posted by Heidi @ Tuesday, April 27, 2004