Campus Pride Day

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Today’s all-school Morning Meeting was all about taking care of our campus. We love playing and learning here and sometimes we can help by taking some time to care for the grounds ourselves. Grade levels each had their own tasks to accomplish this morning. Some were in charge of removing any large rocks that had migrated to the grass and placing them back in their landscaping homes. Other grades donned safety gloves, scouring the woods and playgrounds for trash.

Pre-K’s job was to begin weeding the much overgrown Pumpkin Patch. Though we only uncovered a small swath of dirt, we worked hard pulling weeds until it was time to go inside for snack.

What’s that potion?

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We have a nice selection of liquid motion bottles. The children call them potions. One day, a few became curious about what the potions could be used for. (Think magical potions.)

They decided that the best idea would be to label them so they could remember their magical powers. This one informs us that it is a “Sparkle Potion.” According to the author, this puts sparkles inside you when you shake it.

A Break in the Weather

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Brr… Yesterday it was 2 degrees with a wind child of -10. This morning it was 40 degrees. We took advantage of the much warmer temperatures and headed outside. Although it began to rain, we still enjoyed sledding for the first time this year. The children also became very curious about a large section of the field that had iced over. They decided it made the perfect skating rink.

Who made these? (part 2)

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On the path of the great vehicle mystery, we encountered even more tracks. Some, we identified quickly as deer.

Others we weren’t quite sure of.

We are going to investigate these prints further in the following weeks.

One child remarked, “Wow! This animal must have a lot of legs to have so many different foot prints!”

Who made these?

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We found some very strange tracks in the field this week. We wondered if they came from a tractor. We decided to follow them, looking for more clues.

Oddly enough, they split off into two different directions . The young detectives felt the path on the left held the most promise.

At the top of the hill we found a faculty parking lot. At first the children suspected a small compact. However they realized it was much too clean looking. Then someone noticed the wheel wells on this truck. A clue! Could this be the culprit?

It looks like the tires are a match! We found our answer. Now we just have to figure out why it was driving around in the grass.

In a later post we’ll show you some of the other tracks we found while following these man made ones.

What’s living out here?

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While looking for signs of life in the woods on this unusually warm (60 degrees F) January day, our Pre-Kindergarten children found a little colony of beetles.

They were worried about putting the rock back over them because it might kill them. This is the response from the child who suggested we return their roof.

https://youtu.be/6FwI3c4uFVQ

Gaga: it’s what’s up outside

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On Monday we found something new on the playground.

For anyone that hasn’t seen one of these yet, it’s called a Gaga Ball Pit. Think less traumatic dodge-ball. While the older children are working with Mr. Cooper to create a set of school-wide rules, Miss Davis taught our class a simplified version. All players start on the edges of the court while one person tosses the ball into the middle. At that point, all of the players begin running around either avoiding the ball or trying to push it with their hands. If the ball hits you between your knees and feet, you are out and climb out to cheer on the other players. What makes this much more relaxed than traditional dodgeball is that the children are not allowed to throw the ball. They have to swat it toward other players. If the ball flies out of the court, the last person to have touched it is out. Although the big kids may eventually design more rules and procedures, this version is just fine for our five-year-olds. The playing field is more level for beginners than any of the ball grass games we’ve played and game time is fast. It’s also a great way to encourage the children to pump up those heart rates and get a little cardio in.

A Visitor

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The children were so excited this morning! Last week, we hung a birdseed wreath outside our window.  The children were a little disappointed that the birds didn’t arrive that very moment.  However, this morning was completely different.  From our window, we observed at least 15 birds rummaging around on the playground and this little friend repeatedly visited our bird feeder.

Our new friend, the tufted titmouse.

These sightings inspired many questions and a renewed interest in using the binoculars when we moved outside to explore.  I can’t wait to see what other types of birds we might see in the upcoming months.

Lights and…Action!

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Our puppet shows just got a lot more interesting!  One morning I noticed the children making what I thought were holiday lights.  How wrong I was! No, these lovely lights were designed for our puppet show.  I was informed that you can’t have a show without special lights.  

Once our set was adorned, another group of children insisted that we needed some spot lights.  Luckily we had some people powered Ikea flashlights ready to shine.

https://youtu.be/KuxzG2R4qzE