A midweek newsletter! After the hustle and bustle of last week, we are squeezing in a midweek update. Next week Sam will be heading out on vacation, so we will be back in action for regularly scheduled newsletter programming on August 28th/29th.
It's been a busy week here at school as students transition into new classrooms and teachers become more and more familiar with new students. Monday's in service was a time for staff to handle the logistics of a classroom move and meet to complete valuable training and philosophy discussions. In short, lots accomplished and time well spent.
Now, the children are getting their footing and becoming acclimated to new classroom spaces, teachers and classmates. The children are adjusting well and certainly showing how respectful, kind and capable they are. A commonly heard phrase in the new Pre-K room has been: "Where does this belong? Where can I put this?" We will keep you updated as the children continue along in their new spaces.
Nature Corner
Activity: Give me containers of different sizes to take outside to play with water or in puddles. I like to pour the water from one container to the others, especially to see if it all fits.
Why?: My brain needs to do things over and over to make strong connections. Repeated experiences create pathways between brain cells.
Welcome Paige
While at "press time" we are without a photo, we'd like to welcome Paige to MVS. She is teaming up with Sarah in Toddler II and is already a great addition to our staff. Paige comes to us from Johnson State College with a background in Early Childhood Education. If you've not yet met her, do be sure to introduce yourself!
Classroom Happenings
Infant I: The children have been interested in climbing on and up obstacles including the mirrored box, ramps and tables. Overall, boxes have been a favorite, with the children banging on them, shaking them, or settling into them. Another fascination has been the concept of "cause and effect." For example... when I shake this, it makes a sound or, when I touch this part of a toy, something moves or opens. Outdoors, splashing and playing in the water has just been delightful.
Infant II: The focus last week was letting the children have long periods of uninterrupted play. This allowed them to guide their own learning through play and really focus on what they were interested in. Important moments that were observed centered on ants, worms and centipedes. Reading and looking at books independently (and with teachers) was also a very important child-directed dynamic observed this week. The children have created a reading area every morning and read and looked at books for extended periods of time. The children also discovered their love of The Beatles this week. Upon hearing the first few notes, they jumped and hollered and screamed out with excitement and danced in a big happy circle. They were ecstatic!
Toddler I: Last week saw larger classes, and this week they are a tad smaller with children off and enjoying their vacations. A thrilling moment occurred last week during one of the class walks; a salamander was spotted and the children could barely contain themselves. The student's "3-D" mural has been completed, and is on display, so be sure to give it a look. An area the children are working on is maintaining quiet/calm bodies during nap time, especially if they choose not to sleep.
Toddler II: The class has been excited to meet Paige and welcome her to the classroom. The children are working on lunchtime routines, specifically focusing on the main part of their lunch without rushing into the next items in their baskets, such as the more "tempting" snack items. On the topic of food, some of the children have been working hard at using scissors to open food items at snack times. The class has also taken many walks to the stream near school. Splashing, jumping and exploring have been the result!
Pre-K: As is often the case, getting out into the community was the highlight of last week, and this week in Pre-K. Last Thursday, the group left school early to explore a new seating area near Black Cap Coffee. While there, they stumbled upon a backyard chicken coop as well. That day also included eating snack at the picnic area, a looooong walk along the bike path to meet up with friends and family in town, a trip across the new "people bridge," followed by circle time and lunch at the SES playground. Phew! What all-star kids! The kids would also like everyone to know that they would like to build a chicken coop at MVS and would like Sarah to invest in a few tandem bikes. We'll need at least 15 seats on ours...anyone have any ideas?!?
As Seen at MVS
Thanks for Reading
Back to the newsletter 8/28&29...enjoy these fleeting summer days! -Sam
It's been a busy week here at school as students transition into new classrooms and teachers become more and more familiar with new students. Monday's in service was a time for staff to handle the logistics of a classroom move and meet to complete valuable training and philosophy discussions. In short, lots accomplished and time well spent.
Now, the children are getting their footing and becoming acclimated to new classroom spaces, teachers and classmates. The children are adjusting well and certainly showing how respectful, kind and capable they are. A commonly heard phrase in the new Pre-K room has been: "Where does this belong? Where can I put this?" We will keep you updated as the children continue along in their new spaces.
Nature Corner
Activity: Give me containers of different sizes to take outside to play with water or in puddles. I like to pour the water from one container to the others, especially to see if it all fits.
Why?: My brain needs to do things over and over to make strong connections. Repeated experiences create pathways between brain cells.
Welcome Paige
While at "press time" we are without a photo, we'd like to welcome Paige to MVS. She is teaming up with Sarah in Toddler II and is already a great addition to our staff. Paige comes to us from Johnson State College with a background in Early Childhood Education. If you've not yet met her, do be sure to introduce yourself!
Classroom Happenings
Infant I: The children have been interested in climbing on and up obstacles including the mirrored box, ramps and tables. Overall, boxes have been a favorite, with the children banging on them, shaking them, or settling into them. Another fascination has been the concept of "cause and effect." For example... when I shake this, it makes a sound or, when I touch this part of a toy, something moves or opens. Outdoors, splashing and playing in the water has just been delightful.
Infant II: The focus last week was letting the children have long periods of uninterrupted play. This allowed them to guide their own learning through play and really focus on what they were interested in. Important moments that were observed centered on ants, worms and centipedes. Reading and looking at books independently (and with teachers) was also a very important child-directed dynamic observed this week. The children have created a reading area every morning and read and looked at books for extended periods of time. The children also discovered their love of The Beatles this week. Upon hearing the first few notes, they jumped and hollered and screamed out with excitement and danced in a big happy circle. They were ecstatic!
Toddler I: Last week saw larger classes, and this week they are a tad smaller with children off and enjoying their vacations. A thrilling moment occurred last week during one of the class walks; a salamander was spotted and the children could barely contain themselves. The student's "3-D" mural has been completed, and is on display, so be sure to give it a look. An area the children are working on is maintaining quiet/calm bodies during nap time, especially if they choose not to sleep.
Toddler II: The class has been excited to meet Paige and welcome her to the classroom. The children are working on lunchtime routines, specifically focusing on the main part of their lunch without rushing into the next items in their baskets, such as the more "tempting" snack items. On the topic of food, some of the children have been working hard at using scissors to open food items at snack times. The class has also taken many walks to the stream near school. Splashing, jumping and exploring have been the result!
Pre-K: As is often the case, getting out into the community was the highlight of last week, and this week in Pre-K. Last Thursday, the group left school early to explore a new seating area near Black Cap Coffee. While there, they stumbled upon a backyard chicken coop as well. That day also included eating snack at the picnic area, a looooong walk along the bike path to meet up with friends and family in town, a trip across the new "people bridge," followed by circle time and lunch at the SES playground. Phew! What all-star kids! The kids would also like everyone to know that they would like to build a chicken coop at MVS and would like Sarah to invest in a few tandem bikes. We'll need at least 15 seats on ours...anyone have any ideas?!?
As Seen at MVS
Thanks for Reading
Back to the newsletter 8/28&29...enjoy these fleeting summer days! -Sam
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