Sweet Sweet Spring

 Hi all, so much has happened in the past two weeks, much of which is captured in the pictures below. A couple of things to note: 

*We have loved learning and practicing each other's songs, and can't wait for our "Singalong" at Arts Night next Wednesday the 31st. Families and friends are invited to check out art all around the school from 5:30-6:00, then meet us in the woods for a singalong from 6:00-6:15. The school band (4th-6th graders) will have a brief performance at 6:15 in the circle garden. 

*We've been having some interesting conversations about gender at school. Ideas about gender are so pervasive and develop even in the minds of very young children. Ideas like "Girls can't have short hair," and "Boys can't wear the dress up skirts" are frequently expressed by young children. Last week we read a few pages from  It Feels Good to Be Yourself, a book about gender identity. One of the main messages that we reinforce in conversation is that you can't tell what gender someone is just by looking at them. 

*Don't forget there's no school for pre-k on Wednesday June 7th - incoming families will be joining us for a visiting day. 

*Friday June 9th is Field Day. Please send your child to school with a bathing suit and towel. If you'd like to volunteer to help out please let me know, and we'll have you fill out a background check at the office. 

*We have chicken eggs incubating in the classroom! Ask your child what day we're on - the countdown is on! And please let me know if you'd like to adopt any of the little fluffers once they hatch. 

We had what was probably our last climb up Mt. Everest - the poison ivy is starting to come out and is hard to navigate! Here a kiddo reaches out a helping hand to a hardworking friend. 

Strong kids at the top of Mt. Everest!

Balancing our way around the poison ivy on an expedition last week. 

Investigating some found treasures

We are loving guitar, and having a great time taking turns jamming. 

This kiddo is experimenting with the sounds different jars full of water make when tapped with a stick. 

We can actually "write" music with this setup. Like "green green blue pink yellow yellow." Kids wrote different songs for each other to try out. 

We love when Mr. G comes out to play for us. Some first graders joined in too!

Our block structures are getting more and more complex!

It's a beautiful time of year to listen to stories from Cathi. She always brings such fun books. I would highly recommend visits to the Guilford Free Library this summer!

This kiddo balanced across this tricky log about 100 times, practicing again and again!

After looking at the book Up In the Garden Down in the Dirt kids made their own "under the soil" artwork. 

Friday buddy time with our third graders :)

After making musical instruments in the woods we had an impromptu parade through the field. These kiddos loved taking turns being the drum major while we played Mardi Gras music on the speaker. 

Kristine's daughter made Silly Putty for us! Kids (and teachers!) have loved the sensory exploration.