This is the time of year when I realize how much learning and growing my students have done since they started Kindergarten 4 months ago!
Last week, we spent some Social and Emotional Learning time last week reading the Incredible Flexible You series (above) and talking explicitly about how paying attention to how we are behaving can help our learning and friendships at school. These books seemed to make a lot of sense to the students. Like with any area of learning, we talked about how different kids are at different stages of mastery with these social thinking skills. I encouraged the students to think about which skills they feel confident with and which ones they are still working on. Ask your student to tell you what they remember about these books and offer to help them practice if they need help.
"It's the self-directed aspect of play that gives it its educative power." –Peter Gray, The Decline of Play, TED
It is a very intentional choice for QAE Kindergarteners to have Choice Time every day, as well as lots of opportunities to collaboratively build and play as they learn. Many schools have moved away from providing kindergarteners with this unstructured play time because of increasing academic pressures. The QAE K teaching team believes deeply in the powerful role play has in making school and learning engaging and exciting for our students, and feel fortunate to be able to provide this important social and emotional learning time for our students.
Coming Up Soon ...
Valentine's Celebration ~ Feb. 14th. We will spend time in class exchanging valentines. If your student chooses to bring valentines for the class, please make sure they have one for everybody. I also ask that no food/candy be attached to the valentine. A sticker, pencil, ect. attached to the valentine is okay. Thanks for your understanding. A student name list is included below. Our class party will be at 12:45 on the 14th. Please plan to join us for the fun. Family members welcome!
| Mid-Winter Break ~ Feb. 20th -24th 100th Day of K ~ Friday, March 3rd Students will be asked to bring in a counting collection of 100 things as a part of our celebration. QAE Auction ~ Friday, March 10th Want to know more about what's happening in PE? Check out Ms. Veleber's PE website! |
Off to the Races w/ Room 203's Collaborative Art Piece for the Auction
written by Kate & John (Phoebe's parents)
We had the opportunity Friday morning to spend some time with your kids on the first step of the piece of art they are working hard on creating together. The collaborative multi-media piece is inspired by something John, Phoebe and I noticed in a friend's home who is a first grade teacher - he says he regularly receives compliments on the artwork from visitors to his home all the time - it is really professional and eye-catching. Once complete, our class' piece will be featured alongside the other class' projects in the school auction on March 10th.
We were so impressed with the careful attention and care our kids are putting into this from the get-go. The imaginations run deep with this group! We've got some very inventive, creative ideas coming through and John and I personally can't wait to see this come to life over the next few weeks as we work alongside your kids.
We'll be back in the classroom this Friday for the next step! Until next time, enjoy the sneak peek at some of your young artists at work. :)
We were so impressed with the careful attention and care our kids are putting into this from the get-go. The imaginations run deep with this group! We've got some very inventive, creative ideas coming through and John and I personally can't wait to see this come to life over the next few weeks as we work alongside your kids.
We'll be back in the classroom this Friday for the next step! Until next time, enjoy the sneak peek at some of your young artists at work. :)