Classroom Highlights
This week, we had the opportunity to refresh our school rhythm as a class. To make space for this, we started with a one-week block of Form Drawing with mental math work sprinkled into our time together. We worked with the spiral form (the path into the forest) and the triangle form (the path of the skier) through story, our nature walk, and multisensory work with the forms, such as walking the paths, drawing them with a wet sponge on the chalkboard, creating the forms from different materials, writing them with our feet, writing them while laying on our backs underneath the teacher desk, and writing onto one another’s backs. Through each of these experiences, children are able to experience the forms with their entire bodies before being invited to create them on paper.
The First Graders also continued their work with the flutes. We learned a new song in circle that then appeared in our flute work later in the week. They know it so well by the time it comes to their flute work. We also warm up our fingers in various ways in preparation for playing our flutes each day. Pictured below you will see the partners tapping one of the fingers to be raised.
The stories that will ground our coming weeks will be Fairy Tales from Africa. In these fairy tales, children will continue to have the opportunity to experience the archetypes and see themselves in qualities of each of the characters. Last week, one story was The Story of Kwelanga, in which Zamo was proving his worth in marrying the chief’s daughter, Kwelanga. He was given several tasks, worked with great perseverance, and was offered assistance by Kwelanga. At the end of the week, the children chose a part of the story to illustrate. We then worked together to sequence the illustrations to retell the fairy tale.
Next week, we will dive fully into our second Math Block, The Four Processes. In this block, the children will be introduced through story to the four processes—addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division. We will then be working with them and relating the processes to one another. Although the relationships of opposite processes are familiar to many of us, the relationships between addition and multiplication and of subtraction and division may be a new way to think about and explore the processes. I will be offering opportunities for children to relate these processes over the coming weeks.
Festival of Compassion
Next week, we will also begin to learn about the Civil Rights Movement in a way consciously designed to meet First Grade in an age appropriate manner through the empowering story of The Children’s March. While in Waldorf schools we often speak of the importance of “the protection of childhood,” we also work to balance that with beginning to wake children up in a careful and thoughtful way so that they can begin to find their social responsibility in our world. I am collaborating with colleagues to bring the Civil Rights movement in celebration and recognition of Marin Luther King, Jr. Day to the First Grade in the most meaningful, inspiring, and age appropriate manner.
Children will be hearing about a time when black children had to attend different schools than white children and how there were rules/laws not allowing black people to share public spaces with white people. In the story, children will hear about how children came together to work against these rules and laws in a peaceful way. I will include that Martin Luther King, Jr. supported the children’s peaceful protest. The children will hear that someone their age can make a difference through courageous acts. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Creative Movement Update from Ms. Choma
Upon my return from maternity leave after Thanksgiving and throughout the month of December, we completed a series of activities that involved fine motor coordination. These included: making coffee filter snowflakes, fingerknitting, making a classroom paper chain, and stringing popcorn and cranberries. The children demonstrated perseverance and determination to bring each project to completion. Thanks to Ms. Avila for allowing some extra class time to complete our various projects. Parents are encouraged to provide opportunities for the children to engage in fine motor tasks at home. This might include: cooking tasks like chopping fruits / vegetables, kneading dough, baking cookies, cutting with scissors, and crafting, to name a few.
This month, we turn our attention more to gross motor skill development. Games and exercises are designed to support: the full integration of early movement patterns, body geography as a means of developing our internal map, and physical bodily integration (left / right, above / below, front / back). It is helpful for students to have tie shoes – both for fine motor practice (tying shoes) as well as for ease of movement.
Please note that I will be with Grade One on Monday, Wednesday, Friday due to my other school roles / responsibilities. Ms. Mancini will continue her work in first grade on Tuesday / Thursday.
I will do my best to provide updates at the start of each month. Please let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached at candace.choma@urbanprairie.org
Warmly,
Candace Choma, Educational Support Coordinator
Upcoming Events
MLK, Jr. Day of Service, Jan 21 (No School)
We are excited to initiate a new festival tradition of group service on the Martin Luther King National Day of Service(1/21). This is in addition to the different ways that teachers will be working with their classes on the important subject of Dr. King and his legacy in the lead-up to MLK Day. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and as such, it is observed as a “day on, not a day off.” As noted by the National and Community Service Organization, MLK Day of Service is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
Please sign up here for either opportunity, and I look forward to seeing you soon for our “day on”!
Parent Night, Jan 30, 7pm-9pm
I look forward to gathering for a night of sharing classroom experiences and discussion. We will have the opportunity to learn trans-affirming tips, share the experiences we are having at home with our children, and experience some of the math learning from Grade 1. Please let me know if you have questions. I also would appreciate knowing if you are unable to attend.
Parent Teacher Conferences, March 14-15
Please mark your calendars for March 14-15 so we can come together and speak about your child. When the days approach, we will share a Sign-Up Genius for our meetings. Thank you.