We had a wonderful conclusion to our Clothes Study this week. This week was all about how clothes are made. The kids got to try a little "sewing" of their own, using yarn and stitching construction paper that had been hole punched. They did great! These are the pieces we will use to make a Friendship Quilt for Valentine's Day! I know it has been hard on everyone to adapt to all the restrictions we have due to COVID, but I am also proud of the kids and how well they have adapted to the situation.
In our journals we designed our own clothing as well. The kids are continuing to progress with their writing when we do journals each week. It may not seem like much when a child simply writes one or two letters next to a picture, but they are showing us they are beginning to understand that letters make words and that their words have meaning. As they become more familiar with letters and the sounds they make, we see them beginning to make actual connections between those sounds and their writing. For example, if they made a striped shirt, they may write S for striped, and that is wonderful progress! That shows they are beginning to put together the writing concept. That's just what we want to see!
We also worked on patterning and positional words this week. They were excited to go on a "treasure hunt" following positional words directions and then take a new toy back to their pod once they found it.
Next week we will begin a new study: Balls! I am excited to help kids continue their learning through this new lens. You can help your child build interest in the study by collecting a variety of balls from home and using them to explore and talk about various things. Even cotton balls and snow balls can be included! Try seeing how many times you can bounce a ball and counting the bounces! Try experimenting with which balls bounce and which ones don't. You can talk about why some balls don't bounce. Is any of your food shaped like a ball? There are so many things to do to continue learning and engagement in this topic!
I am excited for our upcoming Learning Together Day on February 10! We will meet online at 3pm that day, and will have some fun math activities for you and your child to do together! I know this is also different than it has been in previous years, but we are working to plan fun activities for you to have a special time together with your child. We are looking forward to seeing you there! This is also what we are doing in place of a virtual "Valentine's party," like the students in K-4 are having. Please mark your calendar for this special activity!