The 2 day class loves things that go...cars, trucks, planes, trains. Last week I got out the long blue racetrack for the first time. Chaos broke out as everyone tried to get their car on the track at once. Pushing, pulling, jostling for position and howls of protest and frustration. Rather than imposing order myself, I turned off the lights and asked the group if it was working for everyone to use the racetrack at once. Unanimous agreement that it was not working. I asked if anyone had ideas that might work better. Several people suggested taking turns and someone suggested making a line. There was some early trouble forming a line...imagine an amoeba. We talked about a line being straight and that you follow one person. Then there was some trouble with the line failing to advance...we realized that when the person in front of you moves forward that you need to do the same. Having to go to the end of the line was tough for some initially...giving our less assertive students the chance to speak up for themselves. Catherine and I supported the process, but the kids created the solution. Within minutes cars were zooming down the track and people were happily waiting in line.
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The 2-Day class provides children an opportunity to explore all that is Preucil—music, play, art, outdoors, etc. Children in the 2-Day class come on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their mornings are filled with active exploration and hands on learning as they investigate materials and act on their ideas. We know that children learn best through play, so there is a large un-interrupted playtime for them to freely explore all the classroom and art studio have to offer. Children develop social skills as they build friendships and relationships with one another, learn about group dynamics, and figure out positive means of expressing their needs and desires. Children engage in musical activities (Tuesdays with Marit and Thursdays with Lauren), experiencing the joy of music and developing basic music competence. The art studio is open every day for creative expression and guided exploration. We come together every day to read stories and share. Outdoor play provides a means to practice using big body movements or relax for some quiet reflection in our green space. While only here for 2 days, children in this classroom get the full benefit of art and music, and cognitive and social development as the they actively explore and discover.  We had a special visitor today at Preucil. Carly, the Friendly Beekeepers of Iowa Honey Queen, presented to both the 2 day and the 5 day classes. Carly has a wealth of knowledge about honey bees, and is a bee keeper herself. She packed LOTS of information into her presentation, and we all learned many new things about honey bees.
Ask your child about these interesting facts about honey bees: How many queen bees are in the hive? Are the worker bees males or females? What is propolis (bee glue) used for? How does the worker bee get nectar from flowers? When does honey go bad? What is purple honey? What happens to a honey bee after it stings you? How do the bees stay warm in the winter? Can bees make mummies?? We also did the bee review countdown: A bee has ... 6 legs 5 eyes 4 wings 3 body segments 2 antennae and 1 proboscis  paper bees inspired by our honey bee learning
 Each student in the 2 day class created a cardboard printing plate, using cardboard shapes and glue. Once our printing plates were dry, we rolled black ink over the shapes with a brayer. I encouraged each student to make an edition of 3 prints. The experience of creating an image and reproducing it is exciting and rewarding for the students.
Once the prints were dried, we kept one "as is", added paper collage elements to one, and added oil pastel drawings to one. They look awesome all together! Great work, printmakers!  We had a great trip to Wilson's Apple Orchard on Tuesday! The weather was sunny and warm, and the apples we tasted were sweet and juicy! We took a fun (and bumpy!) tractor ride through the orchard. Bessie had some trouble getting through the stream, but she perked up when we shouted "Go Bessie Go!". Thanks to all the family members who came along to help!  This week in the 2 day class we enjoyed getting to know each other a little bit better!
Some favorite activities were: • checking the progress of our caterpillars and chrysalis' in the insect enclosure. We made crayon drawings after studying their shapes. • enjoying the sensory experience of cinnamon-scented play dough. • discussing and labeling the parts of an apple tree and an apple. • watercolor painting, marble painting, and crayon rubbings. • painting and collage in the art room. • enjoying the warm summer sun and playing in the water table on the playground. Marit added "O Susanna" to our music class repertoire - and she sent home a list of song lyrics, did you receive yours? We read our class book - 2 day friends, and One Red Apple  We had a great first week in the 2 day class. We spent time getting to know each other, and getting to know our classroom and routines. Kirsten interviewed each student and teacher, so that we could have a class book to read and learn about each other. We sang new songs with Marit, and met Mr. Rabbit in Helen's theater class. We read fun books together, and enjoyed beautiful August weather on the playground. It is going to be a great school year!  We made a list of things we know about apples, and learned that our class will be visiting the apple orchard soon! We also had a performance by Dr. Sasha Garver. She played a few familiar tunes on her flute, and showed us a "kid-size" flute! We found a monarch caterpillar on our milkweed in the garden, as well as grasshoppers and other insects.  A few of our songs from this week:
Hard Day's Night I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing Apples and Bananas Lean on Me Wee Willy Winky Grumpy Pirate Johnny Works with One Hammer  We had so much fun tie dying shirts this week! Each child helped place rubber bands to create a design, and then we took to the playground to add dye to the shirts. The results were fantastic!
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Chris Sharp2 day teacher Archives
August 2018
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