February 2018
School Age #1 Room News
With the incredibly low temperatures recently, and the snow covered outdoors, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to engage in winter-themed activities. We’ve designed snowmen, created winter scenes, roll played, and read plenty of stories about snow days, snow sports, and winter animals, etc. Most recently, we’ve been researching snowflakes. We know that each has its own individual characteristics, and much like fingerprints, and canine nose prints, no two snowflakes are alike. In the art centre, we’ve figured out the proper way to fold & cut our paper to make proper “6 point” snowflakes.
To make up for the outdoor play (that we’ve missed due to uncooperative weather), we’ve been trying some new gross motor activities during our large group time. A favourite was trying to master the art of “TUNUMIU“ (an Inuit game). Working in pairs, our crew started out back-to-back, seated on the floor. Relying on each other for support, they must attempt to stand up (remaining connected at all times). It proves to be much more difficult than it looks, but with practice, many of our friends have conquered!
Looking ahead, we have plenty of Valentine’s activities planned; artwork, riddles, funny stories, and games. We are also hoping to focus a bit on “friendships” and “feelings”. Our goal is to create and use “compliment cards” to remind everyone of their unique qualities and amazing abilities!
Just a reminder that Friday February 16th is a P.D for the Public School Board. Please let the staff know of your childcare needs. Before and after school care will still be provided for children who attend the Catholic Board. S.B.E.L.C will be closed Monday February 19th for Family Day. Enjoy.
School Age #2 Room News
“The goal of Early Childhood Education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”- Maria Montessori
This month we are immersed in emergent learning. We began discussing some of our greatest wonders, in a teacher-student setting and plan research and answer each student’s curiosities during large group time.
In addition, we hope to soon showcase a new classroom “building interest’ book. This book will feature students’ creative work as well as a description of it by the children themselves. We want to share all of this hard work with you as well as many other classroom activities we’ve done; so, please feel free to look at our blue binder and view all of this fun emergent curriculum.
We look forward to further exploring our current interest this month which included: mystery and encoding messages, small manipulatives and trinkets, sensory experiences and building.
Just a reminder that Friday February 16th is a P.D for the Public School Board. Please let the staff know of your childcare needs. Before and after school care will still be provided for children who attend the Catholic Board. S.B.E.L.C will be closed Monday February 19th for Family Day. Enjoy.