Yesterday I had a very enjoyable update with Miss Barnum, Colin's 1st grade teacher. We talked about how he's doing in his subjects; math, spelling, reading, and his journals. I also got to read the pen pal letters he's been exchanging with a class in Minnesota. It's incredible to see how he's growing both externally (he's now 4'2" and 58 lbs), as well as how he's expanding his mind. We're so very proud of our little man.
I recently ran across the December classroom news and thought it would be nice to post what Colin has been studying. I'm constantly amazed at what they fit in during the month. In ADDITION to what's listed below AND the traditional studies (math, reading, spelling, etc.). They also get to garden on a regular basis, take Aikido, do music, field trips and the list goes on.
Poems and Songs
The Holly and the Ivy
When
The Gloucester Wassail
Reindeer Lullabye
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Santa Lucia
God Rest Ye Merry
Um Flambeau/Bring a Torch
Alvin's Christmas Song
The Saw
Don't Buy Me Stuff
Special Studies-Midwinter and Solstice
Traditions Around the World
(Sweden) Santa Lucia visited the classroom, wearing a crown of candles. She brought Saffron buns and coffee
(England) Wassailing - W wassailed the other classrooms with hot cider (wassail) and singing
(Germany) Gingerbread men - We made homemade gingerbread cookies and decorated them with currants
Projects
Wheat weaving
Yarn weaving
Christmas clayboards with snowy Christmas scenes
Candle chalk drawings
Glittery Poinsettia pictures
Hanukkah
We lit the menorah and played the Dreydl game. We also danced an Israeli dance called "Hashual".
Baking
We got to make our own cinnamon raisin bread with Tyler's mom
We made Christmas stuffing with Scarborough Faire herbs from our garden (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme) with Colin's mom
Short Stories Read as a Group
While the Bear Sleeps
Midwinter Traditions from Around the World
The Tomten (Sweden)
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
The Donkey's Dream
Kerstin's Surprise (A Santa Lucia Story - Sweden)
Tomten and the Fox
Hanukkah
Legend of the Poinsettia (Mexico)
Polar Express
Christmas in the Big Woods
Chapter Book Read as a Group
A Christmas Carol - by Charles Dickens
We talked a lot about SIMPLE Christmas presents (non plastic) that don't pollute the Earth. Hence "Don't Buy Me Stuff" song by Barnum and McCartney (see songs above).
1 comment:
I so deeply love our little fledgling school and it's attributes......it's visions are utopic and euphoric as a child's world should be.....I so relish the day when my children realize what a gift they have been given to attend this particular school, with all of it's wealth of knowledge, kindred spirits, familial atmosphere, and loving guidance....what a day it will be when they show us the richness they've gathered, in this cocoon of life they've been given, in the midst of our worldwide chaos and unrest.... or demonstrate their deep cultural sensitivities, in the midst of our economic distress and unfairness amongst the races, sexes,and classes....We as their parents chose this for them, worked hard to keep it whole, made sure our choices were appropriate, defended this environment against foes that disagree...In general, giving our kids a path we wish we ourselves had when we were little.........An innocent childhood....An enlightened truthful perspective.....Small classrooms with more attention.....Earth skills....Work skills....Life skills....Empathy skills....Our kids are lucky and deserve this......Thank you for sharing, Naomi:)
Post a Comment