Classroom Highlights
It is hard to believe, but we have explored almost all of the consonants! We began exploring the “singing sounds” also known as vowels this week. We kicked this off by sharing the story, “Land of the Singing Sounds,” a beautiful story about how a child was able to bring joy back to his community by finding the light and sharing it with others. (Yes, we were able to bring the mood of the season and the vowels with this story!) We played with words that had all the singing sounds taken out of them—Gd mrnng, dr stdnts. M xctd bt r d. They got a kick out of this and began to see the importance of the singing sounds. We explored the long sounds of A and E in a multisensory way, culminating with drawings of an acorn and an eagle.
In Form Drawing, we came back to a form that had gone to rest for a bit. We brought it back through walking the form, without any guide points in the classroom, wrote it on backs, wrote it with our feet, and then brought crayon to paper to draw a star!
In Nature Studies, we took a walk in our gardens at school, observing the colors of this time of year closely. I shared that the first day of our winter break is the shortest day of sunlight and the longest night of darkness of the year. As this day is approaching, what colors are we noticing in nature? We walked, observed, discussed and then came in and tried to recreate those colors. It took time to blend the colors and bring out the true colors of almost winter. The children tried to recreate the pale, dried out green; the faded yellow of the hay that had once been golden; the browns of the crunchy leaves; the gray blue in the sky.
At Urban Prairie, we are striving to offer a learning environment that is inclusive so that all of our community members feel safe and affirmed. Understanding gender identity is a place where many of us could deepen our understanding in order to support our children in being open-minded and accepting of all the students at our school and beyond our school’s walls. I am guiding the children to learn proper language and etiquette regarding our transgender students, staff, and community members. I have included some resources for you. In order for this to be effective, I am asking that parents reinforce this at home. Please let me know if you have any questions. If I don’t know the answer, I will seek it out for you. Thank you for working toward our goal of inclusivity together.
*List of Children’s Books (many of which we have at UP)
*Video to help unpack definitions
Upcoming Events
Community Solstice Spiral, December 18, 5:30-7pm.
Walking the Spiral is one of the simplest and yet most reverent and meaningful moments of the year. In this season that can often be chaotic, cold, and overwhelming, we invite you to gift yourself a meditative moment that cultivates your inner light. The Spiral is open from 5:30-7pm. You may arrive any time within that window, and expect to stay for at least 15-20 minutes. Individuals and families are welcome. Please note that this is a quiet event, with minimal speaking. Also be aware that all students will be walking the spiral with their classes the following day.
Festival of Lights/Last day before break, December 20, 1:30pm
We invite you to come celebrate the season of lights and the closing of the year with us. The assembly will include a puppet show performed by faculty and a community singalong. The perfect way to end 2018! Afterwards, you are welcome to come to the classroom to say hello and retrieve your student(s) during Open Dismissal from 2:20-2:45. Regular car line dismissal will also be available. There will be no Aftercare offered this day and all children must be picked up by 2:45.
Winter Break, December 21-January 6