The Giant Squid and the Beach

Dear Parents,

This week we acted out our stories and chose one for graduation day. We talked about the sharks not really biting friends when acting the part. Everyone used their arms as mouths, and each sea creature created different arm activity to show action. The giant squid made an appearance in each story.

On Wednesday we played in water bins. While friends waited their turn, we used spray bottles. Some just sat and sprayed themselves, while others sprayed plants, the brick wall, and the entire jungle gym. There was a good muddy mixture in our little blue table. 

Next week on Wednesday the 24th everyone can wear their bathing suits and water shoes to school. We will be going into our tiny swimming pool. Please bring dry underwear and clothes for afterwards.

We only need two towels. Let us know if you can bring one of the two.

Beach day was windy! We found sea shells, one crab claw, some rocks, and a horseshoe crab. The water felt surprisingly warm compared to the cool ocean breeze.

Graduation will begin Friday June 26th at 11:00am.

We will act out our ocean story, make a circle with all families to sing Make New Friends, give out our graduation diplomas to second year students, and begin summer vacation.

See y'all next week,
Therese

Story Writing

Dear Parents,

This week we focused on writing stories about the ocean and its creatures. The children took turns dictating each sentence and adding to the stories. 

When taking dictation and rereading the stories, children begin to see the marks on the page come alive as they represent not only words, such as their names, but sentences, and whole thoughts, culminating in a story. It is empowering to control the story and bend it to their own liking. We read each story, sometimes rewriting, or come up with an entirely new story each day. 

This week’s stories included our giant squid, a shark, some tuna fish, and death. Some children realize there is a conflict that needs resolving, while others are satisfied to leave it alone. 

Next week we will choose our favorite story and make costumes to go with the characters. 

It was a hot week,

Therese