September 29th, 2017

These past two weeks, we've celebrated apples!

And Aa's.

To launch our new unit, the classroom was apple'd out.

And we were ready to start our lessons!

Reading Ten Apples Up on Top, we tried to see how many of our own apples we could get up on top.

We also practiced numbers 1 and 2...

and sorted colors.

Then, we examined the letter Aa.

We got high tech and practiced on the interactive whiteboard...

we got low tech and practiced in sand.

We also practiced with pencil and paper.  We're a well-rounded bunch!

With the objective of learning ABAB patterning, we had a fun and messy project of apple stamping.

This also allowed us to examine the star inside each apple.

Finally, it was time to make applesauce!
Using one of my favorite earthly possessions (second only to my stand mixer), we got to peel a mountain of apples.

We were especially entertained by the slinky shape.

The apples simmered through nap time...

...and eventually we ate it!

We even practiced apple yoga!

The next week, we moved on to letter Bb.

But, we continued learning about apples.

Using our largest apple, we tried to see how many little apples it took to weigh more than the big one.
3 didn't quite do it...

but, 4 did!

Then, we drew our conclusions.  Literally.

We continued to learn about numbers 1 and 2...

and 3 and 4!

We also searched for Aa's and Bb's in our names.

Focusing on the life cycle this week, we learned about the apple from seed to tree.

Ms. Laura gave this week's Spanish lessons, teaching colors rojo (red), aranjardo (orange), amarillo (yellow), verde (green), azul (blue), y morado (purple).  

We also practiced 1-4 on the interactive whiteboard.

For our outside structured activities, we practiced 2-square throughout the week.

Finally, on Friday, we gave our Bb show-n-tell.  We had Barbies, Belle, bubbles, banana bread, beans, things that were beautiful, and so much more!

I'd say we mastered September.

Namaste.

September 16th, 2017

This week, we really jumped into the swing of things.

We continued with our All About Me thematic unit, but we focused mostly on our five senses.

Exploring a new sense each day, we started with our sense of sight on Monday.

We also played with our Mr. Potato Head felt sets...

and we learned about 1 and 2.

Additionally on Monday, we started our track and field experience.  Beginning with long distance running, we discussed maintaining a steady pace and we paid attention to our heartbeat.  

We were great!

On Tuesday, we moved on to our sense of touch.

For an art project, we used several types of materials and explained to Ms. Laura how each one felt.

We got to play with kinetic sand as well.

Continuing track and field, we learned about relays.

They passed that baton better than Usain Bolt and the Jamaican Relay Team.

On Wednesday, we examined our sense of hearing.

Then we were able to listen to audio books and music...

...and, aligning with our Five Senses study, Ms. Laura taught Mis cinco sentidos and the body parts ojos (eyes), nariz (nose), lengua (tongue), manos (hands), y orejas (ears). 

We also heavily practiced the written numbers 1 and 2 in our first take-home books of the year (get used to them).

On Thursday, we got around to our sense of smell.  Using cotton balls soaked in lemon, cinnamon, mint, lavender, spruce, and oregano oils, we tried to guess which one was which.

We also made a big batch of playdough together and used the oils to make it scented playdough.

Watching Olympic track and field events, we prepared for our most exciting main event.

Long jumps.

We were like super heroes!

Even I had to join in.

Nailed it!

Finally, we learned about our sense of taste.

We examined our tongues and taste buds...

and then we got to taste sweet, salty and sour.

Sour is always our favorite part!

We also made collages of a few of our favorite things.

Once we finally finished our 5-senses study, we were able to complete our other take-home book for this week.

My Book About The Five Senses

They were a pretty big hit.

Concluding our track and field experience for the week, we focused on discus throwing events for our last practice.

Namaste.