Happy Friday!
This week we began our winter holiday study. During this time, we learn about different holidays around the world that are celebrated during this season. We focus on the cultural aspects of each holiday as opposed to the religious components. The kids enjoyed learning about Las Posadas, St. Nicholas day, and Noa and Molly's mom came in to teach us about Hannukah! We made our very own Menorahs out of paint with our hands.
Ms. Woltmann taught a lesson about the European holiday St. Nicholas. She told us that St. Nicholas was a kind man who provided gifts to those who were less fortunate. We played a traditional German game of "hide the pickle". Each child decorated their own pickle and hid them around the room. Then we went on a pickle hunt! Once the kids found someones pickle, they said something kind to that student. We emphasized that the true spirit of winter holidays is all about kindness and giving.
Next week we will study Kwanza, St. Lucia, and Christmas. We studied Diwali back in November with Mili and Vikrant's mom. We are so grateful to have families willing to come in and share their culture with us!
We are continuing our Gingerbread story study and have read so many different versions! We are getting very good at comparing and contrasting each one. In keeping with our gingerbread theme, we spent time creating our own "deconstructed" gingerbread men. They are hanging outside our classroom, come take a look!
We celebrated Vikrant's Super Kid Day this week. His mom and brother shared Dinosaur cookies with the class and read "Prehistoric Mammals" by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld.
Mick's sister and mom came in as mystery readers this week and read "Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein.
Ella Protess, another second grader, also came in as a mystery reader! She read "Goldilicious" by Victoria Kann.
Darcel, Kate's nanny, also came as a mystery this week! She read "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad" by Jacky Davis.
Can you believe we had a 4th mystery reader? Sam's grandma surprised us and read "". She brought a felt board so the kids could interact with the story. We had so much fun.
The Winter Showcase was such a success! The kids did a wonderful job and had so much fun. We were so proud of them!
On Friday we had our "Hour of Code". The kids were paired up with fifth grade to learn about coding. They played a coding game on the iPad and had a great time. Thank you to all of our awesome parent volunteers!
Just a reminder that dismissal is at 3:10 from the playlot. In inclement weather we dismiss from the vestibule. If you need to pick up your child early please let the office know and we will happily send your child down. It helps us to keep the afternoon pack up a bit smoother. Thank you!
Next week is a big holiday travel week, please let me know if your family will be out of town for any part of it.
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Ardito
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