Today Arielle was back (and still having issues uploading her photos from her android phone to a pc..advice, anybody?) She was feeling better today after experiencing a 24-hour bug (sore throat, fever, aches.)

We had three special visitors in our class today from the toddler room: Theo, Teo, and Alanna! They are getting used to our routine and did a great job of being part of the Shining Stars group. Our older friends did a great job at setting an excellent example of life in the primary room for them.

We reviewed the letter Mm box and watched the letter Mm video during morning snack (lots of friends were asking for it and already excited about letter Nn, which we will prepare for tomorrow.) Leina led circle time and we had a quick black light party afterwards, in which we admired our black light art from yesterday (now hung on the wall!) During the party kinder blossom hid sea shells on the deck, and after the party our friends searched for them. Then we all took them to the playground and kinder blossom re-hid them in the sanbox for the entire community (except the infants, who were sleeping) to find. All day we've been finding ways to pretend we are at the beach, and a seashell hunt was perfect!

After nap we wrote the letter Mm and decorated a banner for Rhys, who's last day at Green Sprout is tomorrow. We also enjoyed splash day and talked about the costumes we would like to wear tomorrow (it'll be another official costume day!) We look forward to all the partying we will do tomorrow and all the hugs and love we will be giving Rhys (we are going to miss him so much!)

I'm sorry there are no photots, I'm still having technical difficulties.


What a Tuesday! We started the day with secret sack by Dax, then reviewed our beach discussion from yesterday and talked about salt water and fresh water. We mixed up some salt water and each friend tasted it. Their expressions were priceless as they discovered that all but one of them prefers fresh water over salt water (Ben asked for more!)

Leina and Maya lead circle time and just like yesterday we had a black light Yo Gabba Gabba dance party with fluorescent pipe cleaners wrapped around our bodies. We also looked around the classroom for other glowing objects.

Outside we filled up two large boxes of water and added lots of salt to one of them, then did an experiment to determine whether or not certain objects would sink or float in each box. The toddlers and pre-tots joined us for this activity, as we always enjoy doing science experiments with the rest of our community.

We earned a party sticker for a great lunch-to-naptime transition. All of our friends successfully completed the five-step process of cleaning up their lunch, setting up their nap mat, going potty, brushing teeth, and reading a book on their nap mat, all before 12:00! This was the first time everybody was on time for nap. Yay!

After nap we enjoyed stretching during yoga class.

I am currently trying to get my computer to work with my phone so I can upload the photos. I hope it works tonight!

What a day! We only had 6 friends show up to school today so we invited Ivy and Teo from the toddler class to have a playdate with us!

We started off the day with music on the playground and while outside we decided to make tomorrow an official Shining Stars costume day, inspired by Rhys and his little brother, Ari, who both dressed up as superheros today!

During snack Arielle showed the class her snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) and talked about her experience snorkeling and scuba diving. Then our friends took turns cleaning the gear and wearing it. She also added a swim mask to the new beach center, which is going with all the fun shells and books our friends have been sharing, as well as an ocean puzzle and beach pictures.

During centers some friends worked on an ocean/beach-themed poster by applying cool aquatic creature stickers to it and coloring an ocean and sky around them (it was all their idea, as we only provided the poster board and stickers, without telling them what to create.) Yay for Reggio-style, student-centered learning! While the poster was constructed, other friends played dress up, drew on the easel with chalk and dry-erase markers, and worked in the construction center as Lizzie pulled them individually to asses them (in preparation for the parent-teacher conferences.)

When we went outside we played a fun bowling game that Toni designed! It was fun cheering for our friends and taking turns knocking down pins.

During lunch Miss Liz surprised us by joining us at the table! We talked about and read the June newletter that features Joey and Leina's brother, Asher (and Kai and Naomi.)

After nap we worked on our poster for Miss Crystal and Miss Cherokee, as we have been talking about how the baby room is part of our GS community and we care about them and want to show our love for them, especially after they have both lost loved ones recently.

We ended the day with lots of splashing! Thanks to Mr. Nick for setting up a super cool "waterfall" for us to play in!

Tomorrow is COSTUME DAY and as always, dance party Friday!

I'm having some serious computer issues and have no idea why I can't upload photos like I used to.t was a rainy morning so we hung out inside until the afternoon. We did some watercoloring and other types of art, as well as practiced writing. Paige did the secret sack and we reviewed the Ll box and watched the Ll video. During a class discussion we realized that these are so many words that start with L! How exciting. We also checked out the awesome ocean/beach-related books and shells brought in by our friends. Thanks for sharing, guys!

Leina and Jette conducted a wonderful circle time and then everybody played in centers while Lizzie and Arielle worked on assessments for the parent-teacher conferences next month.

After nap we continued to play in centers until it was time to do yoga. It was an excellent, relaxed, low-key type of day.

I"m sorry that there are no pictures, but my computer is not cWe started off the day by talking about the two caterpillars in the jar on our table. One is in a cocoon today, thr other one just started making its cocoon. We ate snack and reviewed the Kk box and watched the Kk video, and the "funny apple video" upon request. Then Leina and Maya conducted circle time and then we did centers. Colette brought a color spinner and the girls went on the deck to make some awesome art with it. Inside, the boys worked with a new construction center toy.

During lunch we talked about our discussion that we had yesterday about jellyfish. This is possibly the beginning of a new unit!

After nap it was time for splash day.