This past week without testing or trips was a change from last week, but just as exciting with the many new works and activities to explore. Although our testing has finished many other children in the building continue to test and we must walk quietly on our way to the playground each day. Most children can easily identify the word TESTING when it is posted on the doors of other classrooms.
As young children begin identifying common words in their environment it is important that we encourage the use of phonetic detective skills as much as possible. For example, rather than saying that the sign says 'testing" I will sound out the letter sounds and ask them to put it together. Decoding helps children read through the majority of the written English language and the repetition of seeing common words develops fluency for new readers.
We have continued European studies with reading classic folktales and fairy tales as well as some of Aesop's fables. We continue to identify countries where these stories originate. On Friday we began looking examples of artwork that originates from Europe and next week we will begin to look at specific European artists.
In addition to listening to and identifying instruments in orchestral families, Ms. Townson lead us on a special Earth Day walk and chant around our school's peace pole. We used rhythm instruments made of recycled materials to honor the Earth through movement and music. As we walked through the gardens and natural hammock area we listened to the birds singing and other noises that exist in nature.
Many children observed that our tadpoles have began growing hind lungs and we look forward to observing their changes more in the next few weeks. We will continue our amphibian study this month by looking at a variety of frogs, salamanders, newts, and perhaps a caecilion. Many children enjoyed exploring igneous rocks and matching them to photos with their labels.
This Friday we will have a pizza pajama party from 2-5. So far only one student has sign up for this event, so we will extend the deadline to next Friday if your child would like to participate.
Have a wonderful week,
Ms. Joanna Boone