Tiny Reminders

I will admit that it was a bit of a roller coaster week - some days seemed perfectly fine while other felt somewhat disjointed.  Next week (and beyond, I'm sure), we will be working on building the children's sense of independence and the notion that they do not have to rely on adults for the choices they make in the classroom.  This is a huge concept and ironically, I truly believe that any change that has to occur must stem from the adults.  For example, how often do we 'swoop in' to help children in need rather than giving time for them to fix something for themselves?  How often do we automatically respond with an answer instead of providing an opportunity for children to discover the answer on their own?  In order to help facilitate these ideas, I have found myself reversing questions back to the children.   If a child asks me, "Ms. Sasha, can I do this work?" I simply repeat the question - "Hmm, can you do that work?"  Or if someone asks, "Ms. Sasha, where is my work plan?" I would only say, "Where is your work plan?  By allowing the children time to think about their own questions, I feel they will be building their sense of independence and the idea that they are in charge of their own actions.  It is also important that children receive similar opportunities in the home setting, which is why parents have a role in this too!
Despite the couple of 'rocky' days (and when I say 'rocky', it really was not that bad - I just have high standards!), we enjoyed many special moments together...

Practicing transferring pom poms with chopsticks.

'Peace' cards - matching.

Developing understanding of the decimal system and quantities with the Golden Beads.

How the children love this painting lesson!

Counting seven thousand with the beads and reading the symbol with the cards.

Practicing movement for writing with the Metal Insets.

A beautiful flower arrangement adorning a table.

Beginning sounds of words/pictures with the Moveable Alphabet.

Counting and number practice with the Short Bead Stair.

Plant/Animal sorting.

Exploring teen numbers with the Teen Bead Hanger.

Place value and number recognition with the Teen Beads and Boards.

Building words with the Moveable Alphabet.

Pink Tower/Brown Stair connections.

Tactile discrimination and writing preparation with the Touch Boards.

Division with the Stamp Game.

Tracing and coloring extension of the Cards and Counters.

Linear and skip counting practice by tens with the Hundred Chain.

Early work with the Pink Tower.

Counting unit beads into the palm of a friend's hand, "so they won't roll away."

Taking time outdoors...

to find joy in tiny things!