Science, Field Trips and Concussions!

Our weeks are very, very busy lately! Lots of things happening right now! I really love conference time! It's so much fun to sit down and talk with you about your amazing child! This is such a fun class and I love that they're so excited to come to school and learn new things!

That's why I'm excited to take our show on the road on Tuesday! We have a fun day planned. Uno Pizzeria for lunch...they get to make their own pizzas and pour their own drinks while they wait for the pizza to cook. After they finish eating their pizzas made with extra love, we'll get back on the bus to go to see a show at the Flynn Theater! If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a childhood favorite and the shows at the Flynn are always great!

We began a science unit this week that is a "stand alone" unit. It isn't part of any other time in our day although it links well with our geometry unit in math. Our science unit is called "Properties" and children learn to describe and sort items based on their properties. Our first lesson was called "What Am I?" They had a tray of science materials and we used their unique properties to describe each without naming them. Then using the descriptions, they had to "guess" which item I was describing. It's very hard for young children NOT to use words that imply a judgement...they want to say something is "pretty" or "nice" or "fun." They are so excited to be scientist while also disappointed that we aren't using fire, chemicals or materials that require safety glasses!

Our Fundations unit is really interesting because it's the first unit where the words are more than one syllable! The routine for spelling these words is to clap the syllables. So, the word "dentist" gets two claps. I ask, "What's the first syllable?" and they answer, "Den." They spell it and then I ask, "What's the second syllable?" and they say, "Tist." They spell that as well. After the word is complete they "scoop" the syllables. Two syllables...two scoops!

Our dear Cassidy had an unfortunate accident while in the ski lodge this weekend! She fell and bumped her head hard enough to have a concussion. Because her brain is still vulnerable to another bump right now, she's been staying in at recess and inviting a friend to stay with her! She's going to be completely fine (if I can keep her still while at school!) and is thankfully expecting a full recovery!