// Photos: Week of November 5 //
//Curriculum Update: Week of October 29 //
The end of October wrapped with more pumpkin-related activity. We enjoyed some homemade pumpkin bread brought in by a friend and tried a pumpkin dip with crackers. On Wednesday, the children walked through the communal garden in the park as they peeked around to find hidden pumpkins. It was delightful to see their faces filled with wonder and their expressions upon discovering a pumpkin! Practicing our fine motor skills with peeling pumpkin stickers continued and using dot a dot markers to fill a pumpkin shape were part of the art activities. Much more fun awaits as we enter November so stay tuned!
// Photos: Week of October 29 //
Brought to you by "The Media Mavericks" (Upper Elementary & Middle School Students @HPMS)
// Week of October 22: Curriculum Update //
As the cold weather drifted through this week, we donned our warmer clothes to experience the effects of the autumnal season. Our walks to the park included some gusty winds among color adorned leaves and fallen acorns. The slide in the playground was just as fun and running aside friends brought about the same laughter and giggles. Last week’s apple lesson led to this week’s introduction to pumpkins and gourds. We cut through a pumpkin to look at the inside and scoop out seeds, which we plan to roast. Holding different sized pumpkins, feeling their weight, scooping hollow ones in the sensory table, and peeling pumpkin shaped stickers had us in a pumpkin frenzy. To add to the festive mix, we sang “Five Little Pumpkins” with delight.
// Week of October 22: Photos //
// Week of October 15: Curriculum Update//
It’s the season for picking, be it apples, pumpkins, or gourds. After hearing stories of apple and pumpkin picking trips, we decided to bring in a few kinds of apples to share with the children for a food tasting lesson. We sliced the apples and labeled the parts of the apple then showed the seeds. The different apples were served during snack and some children seemed to show a preference over one while others liked all types. The next day, we served applesauce so the children could taste the fruit with a different texture. Another day, Ms. Melissa baked an apple pie to show the children how apples can be eaten in different ways. The smell of freshly baked pie had all the children sniffing away! Introducing different foods, talking about their colors, shapes, and textures helps children become familiar with what they eat and is an organic way of nourishing the body through the senses of sight, touch, smell and taste.
// Week of October 15: Photos //
// Curriculum Update, week of Oct. 9 //
Albeit a shorter week, productivity was a buzz in the Square room! Following a consistent pattern over the last few weeks, the children show a sense of familiarity in their classroom environment. Retrieving lunch bags from their cubbies, seeking a book from the bookshelf or placing used snack plates into the wash bin, the children are building an awareness of what can be found where. This awareness develops a sense of trust within their environment for the children and a sense of comfort in knowing where to find what they need. Once their basic needs can be identified, they are more accepting of small changes such as new activities on the shelves, which they are exploring enthusiastically!
// Photos from the week of Oct. 9 //
//Curriculum Update: Week of October 1 //
The new month started off on a celebratory note! We celebrated a 2nd birthday in the classroom and the school’s 12th birthday. Also this week, we acknowledged International Peace Day by singing “Peace Like A River” and “Light A Candle for Peace”. Our first Spanish class introduced us to songs in Espanol “Buenos Dias” (Good morning) and the Spanish translation to “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”. As school is closed this Friday and the coming Monday, we wish you a peaceful long weekend until we meet again next week.
// Photos from the Week of Oct. 1 //
// Week of Sept. 24: Curriculum Update //
This week, the children engaged in an art project using fingerprint to create apple stamps. We also had our first music class with Mr. Sebastian, learning new songs and making music of our own using various instruments. As the weather changed from damp to sunny during the week, we ventured out to the playground and joined the other Bridge classes. In the classroom, we continue to learn the names of our peers and settle into every day routines.
// Photos from the week of Sept. 24 //
// Week of Sept. 17 //
As the children gradually phase into the Square Room, they venture towards the different areas to seek new works. Some have shown a preference to our reading nook with a good book, some take to the barn using farm animals, and others work with Montessori materials such as the first set of Knobbed Cylinders. We continue our outdoor exploration as well with trips to the park and neighborhood walks.
// Photos from Week of Sept. 17 //
// Week of Sept. 10: Curriculum Update //
We are so happy to welcome everyone to Square Room! We’ve had a great first week welcoming new students to the classroom and seeing our returning students after the Summer break.
This week we’ve been learning all our friends’ names, exploring the classroom environment, and discovering new friendships.
We have taken walks to Hamilton Park and the toddler playground where the children actively engage in gross motor activities.
// Photos from the week of Sept. 10 //
// Yay! We are so glad you're here! Here's to a terrific new school year! 2018-19 //
