It is getting colder outside, with some days colder than others! It’s definitely a good idea to start wearing layers when we go out to enjoy our playground and tend to our garden. Please make sure your child has appropriate outerwear every day so that they can be comfortable outside. A pair of mittens and a hat tucked into their bag or their jacket would do the trick. Earlier this month, the children planted many bulbs in our little garden. They have been diligently weeding and watering in hopes of seeing some spring blooms. They have also been practicing being very careful around the garden and using careful movements while tending to the plants and using just their eyes at other times. After much discussion, some of the older children made signs to put up by the garden so that others may continue to be respectful when admiring their work. They would like your help in reminding siblings and friends to be kind to the garden, too.
Inside the classroom, the younger children are working to become more independent. They are practicing how to tie their shoes, zip up their own jackets and how to independently navigate various social situations that arise in the environment. Some of the social lessons include how to ask a person to work with you, how to ask for help and how to observe a person who is working. The older children are focusing on mastering sight words, learning how to make and read 4-digit numbers and understand place value, memorizing math facts and writing in cursive.
It was wonderful to see so many families at our fall potluck. It is a great opportunity for your child to share some of their work with you. Observations are another way to get a sneak peek into your child’s day. I should mention that sometimes, especially for the younger children in the classroom, what you observe is not typically how your child is during the day at school. Many times they behave differently because there is an unusual element in the room, like their own parent or another observer. It is helpful to observe the classroom as a whole to get a better picture of what your child might be doing. Of course, I can answer all your post-observation questions at our student conferences. If you haven’t already done so, please go to iVolunteer to sign up. Conferences are being held October 29th and 30th I look forward to meeting with all of you.
Happy Fall!
Archana