Rock the Boat, Don't Tip the Boat Over

Dear Parents,

We began our week floating our boats. We used a bin of water, boats, a water wheel, and cups to pour. We only needed to mop the floor a little. After his turn, someone said, “That was fun!” Many asked for another turn, so we decided to do it again the next day. 

During circle on Tuesday we predicted which things would float, and which would sink in a bucket of water. We dropped into the bucket: a plastic boat, two unifix cubes, a quarter, a penny, a rock, (many yelled, “Sink! Sink!”), a rubber band, a pair of scissors, and a pencil. The children noticed that the plastic things floated and metal sank to the bottom. What then would the scissors do, which had plastic handles but metal blades? The class shouted delightedly when their predictions were correct. They wanted to do more. We talked about trying it at home in the bathtub, but asking for parents' help in choosing items. 

On Wednesday we had our last gymnastics class with Casey.  We saw someone balancing on a beam while waving scarves in the air. Casey gave everyone a certificate and a sticker, which produced much excitement.

While friends were balancing in the big room, in the classroom we worked with hole punchers. Our hole punchers took great strength to punch and many struggled, but most kept trying. The holes are shaped like hearts, bears, stars, circles, and butterflies. They may be found in the bottoms of backpacks.

It was a pleasure getting to share with everyone in the conferences.

Have a long, long weekend,

Therese

Everywhere a Sign

Dear Parents,

We began our week reading Signs by Tana Hoban. The class knew most of the signs in the book. Railroad Crossing, Stop, One Way, Children Crossing, and Playground were some pictures in the book. We have some of the same signs to use in the big room. We assembled them and placed them around the big room to use while riding our wheels and axles. Some children were enforcing the new regulations heavily.  Others, not so much.

We added a map mat in the classroom to drive our cars on. It caused quite a stir the first day with a few traffic jams. 

Gym with Casey was exciting as usual. While friends were in gym class, the other half worked using pencils and stencils to trace shapes. We also did the Feely Box on Wednesday. Many people guessed it was a coin, some specified a dime or a penny. Two guessed it was a button, and one wondered if it was a bonnet. Before the big reveal, we told the class it was something that started with the letter P. "Penny!" shouted half the class. Who knew they still knew about coins. We placed the letter P on our alphabet chart and promptly brainstormed more P words. 

On Friday Peter came to talk to us about rock climbing. He a 250 foot long rope, and many simple machines that help him go up and down the rope. He showed us his rock climbing shoes and we saw wheels and axles, pulleys, levers, and wedges in the equipment. We found out that he also has climbed the masts of ships and buildings in Manhattan!

Welcome to planet Earth baby Elliot!

Have a glorious weekend,

Therese