Our Week

On Monday we began our Fables Language Arts block. We always start our learning time with a small circle (using seasonal verses, songs and fingerplays) and move into a little practicing on the recorder. With spring on its way, we learned the song "spring is coming". Blake picked it up pretty quickly and we now know 6 notes on the recorder! Following circle, Blake wrote a spring poem in his poetry book (about a Bluebird). We then talked about foxes and their characteristics, where they live, what they eat, etc. I followed this discussion with the telling of the fable The Hungry Fox. Then it was on to free play and chores.

On Tuesday, we were in the middle of circle when it began snowing! The kids were so excited for what will hopefully be the last snow of the season. I decided we should make snow scenes (as found in the book Earthways)
Here they are shaping the snow, which is a mixture of grated ivory soap, borax and water.

Blake's scene, complete with a tiny snowman- juniper berries for buttons, tiny twigs for arms and an acorn cap!

Jakey's snow scene- he wanted a larger snowman

Parker's snow scene- he pretty much took any of our nature treasures we had and put it on there.

The snow scene outside. It snowed all day, but was gone by the morning.

My chalkboard drawing.

One of my hungry foxes ;-) We reinacted the story many, many times. The kids love acting out the stories!

My other hungry fox- his tummy was too big to fit through the wall.

Blake's MLB drawing and story summary.

We also painted using the wet-on-wet watercolor technique, trying to capture the "redness" of the fox. I had 12 words from the story for Blake to learn for spelling and we reviewed the 4 times table through movement and clapping games. Not to mention all the lego building, battleship playing and outdoor time.

Next week we will move on to another fable and learn a new poem and song for the recorder. We will also be starting to move on to spring crafts!