Keeping Up with the Crowd

Well, it's been one of those weeks when it feels as if one can hardly keep up with everything that's happening...!  Thankfully, this was due mostly to fact that many of my students were ready for new lessons which is yet another sign of positive developments in the classroom.  And then, in the midst of all this activity, we had a snow day!  Additionally, I've been fortunate to be participating in a trial with Montessori Compass, an online record keeping system for Montessori schools and teachers.  Consequently, I've been inputting information and data regarding our lessons and activities in the classroom while learning the details of the program.  I'll let you know more about that as I become more familiar with the system and its impact in the classroom.  Meanwhile, here are some highlights of our week:

Flower Arranging



Mittens and Snowflake math.



Celebrating Chinese New Year by making good luck banners.

More word building with the Moveable Alphabet.

 

Numbers 11-19 with the Teen Beads.

Numbers 11-19 with the Teen Boards and Beads.

The Article lesson.

Painting on canvas (which are are reusing from a past project) for the second part of a group art project.  I'll post about it in the near future! :)

Table Washing lesson - always a favorite with the children!

One of the moms came in to talk to the children about Chinese New Year.  We listened to Chinese music, learned how to say, "Happy New Year!" in Chinese, and even tried a few Tai Chi moves!  Good fortune was already upon us because she gave us these beautiful banners to hang in our school.  Thank you, thank you!



Dynamic Addition with the Golden Beads.



A "Puzzle Party!"



Exploring shapes with the Geometric Solids.  Two children in the back were reading a set of Phonetic Word Cards - you can see the word 'stop' in the background...

 It appears I'm left with fewer pictures than usual this week with the combination of many lessons unfolding in the classroom, me learning the latest record-keeping system, and the snow day.  Next week will bring new works on the shelves and the completion of our latest group art project!

Chinese New Year Banners

We've been having a fun time learning about this holiday and marking the occasion with a special activity - making Chinese New Year good luck banners!  First, we read this book:

We read this book at circle time.

Then, we talked about the 'Fu' symbol and how these banners help welcome good luck to those who hang them in their homes.  Finally, I showed the children an activity I put together to make our own Chinese New Year good luck symbols.  I was going to have the kids place these on some decorative tree branches inside the classroom, but they had the better idea to hang them up around our door in the classroom instead!

Materials for Chinese New Year good luck symbols:  Popsicle sticks; Tap-n-Glue bottles; two red markers and two pencils; copies of small 'Fu' symbols; 'lucky pennies'.

This material is set up for two children to complete at a time.  After coloring four sticks and the good luck symbol, the kids assembled their popsicle sticks onto the paper symbol.  Then, they each glued a lucky penny onto their project.  After they dried, we taped some ribbon to the back.

Ready for some good luck!

Here is a collection of symbols which hang along the sides of the door inside our classroom.

Happy Chinese New Year!