Osiyo, Chickadee Families.
Last week was so beautiful in our forest classroom, with colorful leaves falling and children working and playing among them. Students spent time most days working with rakes and brooms to clear paths that weave around our outdoor classroom. These paths became highways for the dump trucks to drive on. Students also placed pieces of wood as bridges over holes they had dug. Along with highways and bridges, the children enjoyed creating obstacle courses with loose parts such as wood pieces, branches, and tires. These activities were completely student-driven from conception to completion. Giving children the time, space, and open-ended materials to play in this manner allows them to develop creative thinking, problem-solving, and both cooperative and communication skills. The process of building in this way also develops gross and fine motor skills, coordination, awareness of the body in space, attention and focus, and strength and stamina. Our classroom environment and carefully chosen play props allow our students to experience these healthy physical and mental benefits.
Now that we have entered fall, with cooler nights and mornings, we put our visits to the creek on hold until late spring. Creek shoes will stay home for now. Our class will be visiting the farm more often and working on gardening projects in our classroom garden. There are large planters in our outdoor classroom that are currently growing lemon balm and mint. In the coming weeks, the students will be planting new fall/winter crops and tending to them as they grow. They will harvest these vegetables to add to our soup later in the year.
Announcements and Reminders:
If you have not yet signed up for conferences, please do so here.
If you have a full-day student and have not sent in a blanket for rest time following the break, please do so as soon as possible. The students enjoy having blankets, which bring comfort and warmth and help them rest better, especially now that it is cooler outside.
Please send your child with a jacket and long pants every day. If your child borrows a warm layer from the school, please wash and return it so we have it when it is needed by any student again.
Upcoming Events:
10/11 - 10/12 Sixth Grade caving field trip
10/12 HALF DAY - Parent Conferences
10/13 NO SCHOOL - Parent Conferences
10/14 Community Work Day 10 am - 1 pm *Please note the date change
10/21 Kingdom of Halloween
11/1 NO SCHOOL - Teacher in-service
11/1 Parent Night for Joyful Beginnings and Kindergarten classes, 6 pm - 7 pm
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
