Dear First Grade Families,

What fun we are having in our outdoor classroom now that we have begun having our Main Lesson in the forest each morning! The class is nicely formed at this stage and deserves to be very proud of their progress as First Graders. They continue to impress teachers and the older children with their orderliness and manners around school while still remaining true to their playful six- and seven-year-old selves! They are becoming experts at their class chores, which have included cleaning tasks, clearing the paths of tree litter, sweeping, and even shelf building.

We began our Consonants Block with the letters “M” and “B”. The children enjoyed the fairy tales “Simeli Mountain” and “Snow White and Rose Red,” formed their letters carefully in the Main Lesson Books, and enjoyed some new Circle activities, including a partner clapping game and verses featuring the consonants being studied. During Music, the students continued to practice their songs and, to their great excitement, received their eagerly awaited flutes! Handwork provided the class with the opportunity to wet felt richly colored mats that we will use for math work at our desks. They come out of their Mandarin and Spanish classes all smiles! Finally, the class enjoyed a short visit to the farm, where the hens proved very popular. A couple of stray feathers were found to join our class feather collection.

Announcements and Reminders for First Grade:

Thank you so much for sending plants! They have beautified our indoor space and provided the class with something living to care for!
Bug spray will be needed more than ever now that we are spending even more hours in our outdoor classroom. Please ensure that your child has a good supply packed daily. Thank you for all that you do.
Please join us for Curriculum Night tomorrow from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Warmly,

Michelle