We will Miss you, Cherokee!

Monday started out with books on “hippy hill” in the big backyard. We watered the plants and headed inside. While we were having snack, Ashley showed us some small pearl shaped beads. She poured them in a bucket and we added water to help them grow. While we were outside, we did a mini egg-hunt. The primary hid confetti eggs all over the playground, and then we went on a hunt and had a chance to crack some on friends’ and teachers’ heads. In the afternoon we had Yoga with Ms. Liz. After yoga, we had a chance to use the “squishy balls” that grew with the water. We had a chance to pour and scoop them, and talked about their texture being slippery, slimy, squishy, and smooth.

Tuesday we had an awesome circle time and work time. During Montessori work time, small groups of friends had a chance to go on a “potty tour” where we went around the school and found all the potties. We identified the “flusher,” the toilet paper, and the hand-washing sink at each potty stop.  We read a book about the ocean with Vanessa. We finished decorating a picture collage and then built a train before heading outside!

Wednesday morning we found lots of rollie pollies under rocks around the garden. We had an excellent show and tell (the pictures will show you!). Jackson brought a cardboard box to school, so we took it outside with us in the morning. The box turned into an egg, and we took turns hatching from the egg as a baby dinosaur. In the afternoon, we went fishing with Ms. Daphne for Spanish time.

Thursday morning we watered the garden and found rollie pollies under the rocks. During circle time, we fed all our little birdies “worms,” which is something they love to pretend after we sing our “bird song.” Then, Ashley introduced a sweeping work, the pink tower, and scissors to every one. The whole class was extremely interested in watching Ashley model how to use the particular works. It is a Montessori rule with any work, that we should model first how it is to be used.  We like to say “for anything cool, there’s a rule!” This is how we show respect and care for our works so that we learn to value our efforts and materials. In the afternoon, we decorated underwear with stickers to help decorate our potty area. It’s important in the Reggio Emilia philosophy that children get to shape their environment—this way they see a part of themselves in their space, and can feel a sense of power and responsibility toward it.  For Spanish time, Daphne brought her Ipad, and we played games identifying opposites in Spanish. Check out Daphne’s news letter on the parent’s board at the entrance of the school to see the details of what we’ve been learning in Spanish!

Friday, we started out with dance party and balloons in honor of Cherokee, the pre-tot teacher that we love so much—it was her last day at Green Sprout. We found bugs and colored a giant banner for Cherokee. Then, Ms. Toni and friends introduced some new games to the playground. Then we made “nature dough”—playdough with natural objects in it. We had a chance to mix colors, mix in sand and dirt, and add leaves and mulch as we pleased. In the afternoon we had a hair-tie party and gave friends who wanted some fun pony-tails.