First/Second
Hi Everyone,
Our first three weeks have been filled with opportunities to enjoy the many aspects of our campus, our outdoor classroom, and the diversity of each other! Routines and procedures are being refined and jobs determined as we create our community of learners.
ABC's - Students are working on their foundational skills while building our outdoor classroom. Students are creating an alphabet, number line, color chart, and shape reference chart. This week we introduced sight words, mini-books, and assigned library books for D.E.A.R (drop everything and read).
Apple Math – Students have been practicing various skills involving measurement, observation, counting, graphing, and much more. Each student picked an apple from our orchard and made predictions about its circumference, its weight, and how much juice it might have inside and then figured the actuals. We did a taste test with a green, a red, and a yellow apple, listing our observations and recording our results with tally marks. The students split into four groups and made apple crisp: peeling and slicing the apples and measuring the various other ingredients. It was delicious!
Science in the garden - Students have been exploring the garden using their five senses. From texture rubbings, to favorite smells and garden sounds, students are learning about the garden through science and art. Special Thanks to Bear and Rock for clearing an area for our new garden classroom space.
Social Studies in Roxaboxen - Our living social studies is in full swing. The children are learning to share resources and are developing rules that are fair and just for everyone in our community.
Animal Care – One day each week, the students are responsible for taking care of the animals. This entails feeding them, checking their water, and cleaning up their manure and putting it into the compost in the garden, and taking time to observe and notice the behavior and appearance of our animal friends.
Scarecrows - Students have been working together to create their garden scarecrows. They gained a few skills in negotiating, stuffing, buttoning, and sewing!
Creative Movement - students are learning about self-awareness, creative expression and collaboration through exploring the elements of dance using space, time, energy and force.
Leadership – On Friday mornings, the students are circling up for a community meeting. We have been focusing on giving and receiving appreciations and compliments. The students are doing an impressive job of being specific, detailed, and sincere.
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, Griffin teaches mindfulness and nature awareness, circus arts, and archery respectively. The kids love his energy, creativity, care, and compassion!
