November 2015 Newsletter
“Dad
believes that the things of nature are a gift. And that in return, we must give something back. We must give thanks.”
Giving
Thanks by Jonathan London
“Thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the
friends we meet. Thank you for the
birds that sing, thank you thank you for everything.”
Author Unknown
October 2015 Reflection
Thank you parents and children for such wonderful
conferences, what fun sharing about your children. This is a
memorable group of children; we are a very lucky lot! The leaves are beginning to
change and the rain has re-emerged, autumn is fully here. Thank you parents for dressing your
kids so weather ready with warm layers and easy to slip on boots! Thank you also for practicing with your
child at home ways to put clothing and coats on independently. We use the following technique at
school:
“You put your tag by your toes, hands in the holes
and your flip it” flipping the coat
on by laying coat upside down by child’s toes.
We have been talking about
how our rain gear acts as our own personal tent when in the weather
elements. Inside and outside the
children are exploring new friendships and with that we are able to support the
natural and normal relationship dynamics playing out and figuring out how to open
our listening ears and learning to speak from the heart, and what defines a
kind leader. I am taking a lot of
time to help the children figure out joyful ways to connect with friends and
introducing mediation “holding our concentration” complimented with movement stories. There is a great amount of kindness offered and received in
class daily and what a gift to observe.
The main focus I leave them with is how kind they are. That kindness and gratitude will lead
to a joyful life on earth and possibility greater connection with others and
earth. We continue to build our
empathy development with inquiry and listening and grace and courtesy response
to friends’ questions and actions.
November Curriculum Topics
·
Salmon: amazing
life cycle journey, Pacific Northwest salmon and habitats. This is a very dear unit to me and we
read some amazing books and poetry about the salmon’s inspiring life.
·
Giving Thanks:
exploring ways to express our thanks to those we love and the earth. Before our Thanksgiving break we will
make a meal as a class over a couple of days, set our table, sing a Thank You
song and eat our class made meal together. The meal will be applesauce (pealed cooked by the children,
a bit of honey added), smoked salmon and corn bread (made by the class).
·
Orcas: Like
Salmon, we are very honored as an island community to be able to observe first
hand the Orca migration led by Grandma, the matriarch of the Puget Sound pod. We will learn about Orcas and compare
our native whale activity to those surrounding Scotland’s archipelago Inner Hebrides.
·
Turkeys: parts
of the turkey and behaviors, get ready for some funny words coming home!
Reminders/Thank You
Thank you Jordan Beck-Vroom
for your amazing help in class when a teacher was out sick as well as your very
popular and beautiful felting with students in class. Thank you Lowry family and Hogs Back Farm for the pumpkin
donations! Thank you Elizabeth
Mendana Shaw for your fantastic movement once a month, we are learning so much from
our Specialists! Thank you Renee
for helping class the remainder of the school year, cheers to a great year for
Patsy too as she continues her procedures and healing. Patsy is doing really great and will
hopefully come for periodic class visits.
·
No School: Wednesday October 11 (Veterans Day
Observation) or Wednesday November 25, 26th for Thanks Giving Break
 |
| Specialist Elizabeth Mendana Shaw teaches us Movement |
 |
| Specialis Jordan Beck teaches about felting and wool |
 |
| Help from an older friend |
 |
| Playing some rhythm stick music |
 |
| Measuring rain fall |
 |
| Halloween parade |
