T is for Travel

We learn to do "math" in all kinds of ways in our classroom.  Today we made a fun graph about how we would like to travel.  (I think it was more fun to write our name on the post-it note.) Isn't is cool that the train still gets so much interest?  I am not sure that any of the children in our class have ever actually been on a train but it does sound fun.  We have done a lot of talking in our room about "transportation."  It is such a big word.  I think you would not be surprised that the children were a little upset that I did not give them "spaceship" as a choice because they "really wanted that one."  Oh well...you never know how travel will change in the next 20 years.

Terrific Thursday

It was just this kind of day in our room!  We all did our very best work.  Everyone moved their pencil to the stars because we worked really hard. Isn't it nice to get a special recognition for staying on task or doing good? It just feels good to have someone say "way to go."  Below are some pictures from our day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The theme for our week was about family and friends.  We talked about how we have to work hard to get to know others and how much fun it is to make a new friend.   One of the big rules in our class is "to have a friend - you have to be a friend."   We also talked about our families and how some are very big with lots of brothers and sisters and how some are very small.  It is so much fun to watch these little eyes open to the wonderful world around them.  (If you remember we started talking about this last week when we learned our song from the children in Tanzania.)  Our globe in our room shows us the many places people live and how amazing it is that God made everything.  Next week we have our very first lesson in Japanese.  We practiced saying "hello" and even tried this in Spanish & French.  The children think this is so much fun.  I love how accepting they are and how they pretty much see a friend in every child they meet.  The highlight of our day was learning to shake hands and introduce ourselves.  They could not stop giggling.

We ended our day with this little prayer pocket.  Each child received one in their bag.  In it you will find the names of our classmates and the little poem suggests that you take one name out each night at prayer time.  This little prayer can be about anything for this friend.  The children were so excited to get these and immediately asked if they could add other names and prayer requests.  I will be sure to send home extra sticks to each family next week for these special prayers. Happy Thursday!

Letter L

 This week was all about the letter L.  You can see some of our work below and I think the best part was making lemonade.  They really wanted to have the recipe but our sequence was just as good.  We even had enough to drink at snack for two days.  Take a few minutes this weekend to go over your child's work.  Encourage them to read their little books and be patient as they use the picture clues to guide them along.

All In A Day's Work

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just some pictures from our day.   We are still learning that four year old boys and girls work more than they play.  It is hard to understand that learning takes some real practice this year.  Looking for letters, practicing our writing and getting more proficient with scissors is not as much as fun as play doh or Lego's but we know it is important!  Of course we really know that we are having fun while we are learning too! 

What Are Friends?

 Our class is learning about the letter L, friendship, family and love this week.  To me, they all go together and take forever to truly understand.  Making friends and keeping them takes a lifetime of learning and our little class is working all of this out.  We are so sweet and loving and are doing our very best to be a good friend to everyone in our class.  Today we had a special guest in our room.  She has been helping out at our school for a little while but is working on a college project that requires her to do some service learning hours.....so we are so blessed to have her helping us.  You can hardly see her "squeezed" in the back but that is because everyone wanted to sit on her lap.

 It is amazing to see how much these children grow throughout the year and to see God at work in their lives.  Every little hurt feeling or "boo boo" impacts these precious faces.  No one wants to have a friend be sad or hurt or mad or left out or anything..... so this is how we do it.  We work on being a "bucket filler" and really try to lift each other up.  We cheer each other on when we are doing our best work or when we are having a "not so great" day.  Life just seems to be so much better when everyone accepts that we are really a "work in progress."  God is the potter and we are His clay.  Mrs. Laurie & I just have the privilege to see your children learn to work these things out on their own.  Being four is hard work and learning all of these hard things will take many years of love and support - we just do our best to guide them in the right direction.  All with God's hand leading the way.

I LOVE our little poster about friendship and what friends do...they "be nice."  They "love each other."  They "clean messes up."  They "dress alike" and "spin around together."  My favorite is that friends "hold hands."  Sometimes that is all we really need.... a friend to hold hands with and let us know that everything is going to be okay!  Happy Friend Day!!!!  

Our Ice Cream Paintings

Part of the fun in our class is having the opportunity to create original pieces of art.  (By that I mean, they really get to paint all by them self.)   Last week we were inspired by the letter I to paint a picture of ice cream cones.  I think they are great.  Each one is totally unique and child created.  We put them over the stairs for all of the classes to enjoy.  If you walk in to our school, take a minute to stop and check out your child's art.  They are so proud of their good work.

Our First Class Birthday

We celebrated our first "class" birthday today.  It was awesome!  This friend actually has a birthday in August just before school started, but we couldn't let him miss a party at school.  This is the birthday box.  I love to watch the faces of the children who get the first trip to this totally overwhelming box of treats.  The pressure of picking the perfect gift is almost too much, but it always seems to be the best gift ever!