UPCOMING DATES & ANNOUCEMENTS:
- January 19th: Buttons for Flood Relief: In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Early Childhood grades have teamed up for our service project. Our classes will be doing our annual button sale with this year’s proceeds benefiting flood relief through the United Methodist Church. The handcrafted buttons made by the children will go on sale beginning Monday, January 19th before school in the gym. The buttons will be 1 for $2.00 or 2 for $3.00.
- In addition we are also asking for donations of non-perishable items to help fill their pantry. Think canned goods, rice, pasta, laundry soap, etc. You can send these items to school with your child next week.
- February 6th: 11:30 Dismissal, winter long weekend begins
- February 9th-10th: No School
- February 11th: Class Resume
Hello SK Families!
The weather outside may have been frightful, but inside, it was quite delightful as we began exploring all things weather!
On Monday, we gathered together with curiosity as we read Jumping into January. The story invited us to travel through all the months of the year, pausing to notice how the world changes as time passes. The children were quick to observe the differences in temperature, the shifting skies, the foliage bursting with color, or disappearing altogether, and the clothing people wear to stay comfortable in each season. These details sparked thoughtful conversation as the children connected the book to their own lived experiences.
Our wondering naturally led us into a deeper exploration of weather. We talked about how our Earth works, discovering that places closer to the equator tend to be warmer, while areas farther away are often colder. We used a globe to look at different countries and decide which were warmer or colder. We explored the idea of pressure too, learning that low pressure often brings rain and storms, while high pressure usually means calm, sunny skies ans that pressure is measured with a barometer. The children were eager to share stories of weather they’ve experienced in different places, from heavy rains to bright, cloudless days.
On Tuesday, our weather journey continued as we read the book Weather, diving into the many ways the sky and air move and change around us. We explored wind, learning that gentle winds are called a breeze, while strong, powerful winds are known as a gale, and talked about how wind plays a role in creating everything from everyday storms to blizzards. The children were captivated by how something we can’t see can have such a big impact on the world around us.
With our weather observation charts in hand, we set out on a weather walk around campus, becoming true weather watchers. The children moved slowly and intentionally, noticing details in their surroundings. They observed that the creek was higher in some areas, while ice still lingered in others. Evelyn pointed out the direction the wind was blowing, testing it with careful observation, while Sophia noticed the clouds overhead and the changing color of the sky. It was a beautiful reminder of how deeply children can observe when given the time, space, and purpose to look closely at the world around them.
On Wednesday, we slowed down and listened closely as we read I Am the Rain, pausing to talk about the story and what rain might feel like if it could tell its own tale. The book invited the children to think about rain not just as weather, but as part of a larger cycle, one that moves, changes, and gives life.
Afterward, the children were invited to a hands-on exploration at tables filled with clear jars of water topped with fluffy shaving cream “clouds.” Armed with pipettes and blue liquid watercolors, they carefully dripped color into the clouds, watching intently as the shaving cream filled. Squeals and giggles filled the room as we observed the “clouds” swell, bounce, and eventually separate, creating tiny rain droplets that fell into the water below.
Mylah thoughtfully noticed that the larger, fluffier clouds seemed to hold more liquid, while flatter clouds released their precipitation much more quickly. Their wide eyes and faces were filled with anticipation, as the children eagerly waited for their clouds to finally “break” and rain!
On Thursday, with our late start, we leaned into a slower morning and allowed extra time for daily discovery. Almost immediately, the classroom transformed. The floor became a zoo, with the children working together to design shelters that would protect their animals from various weather elements. Their conversations were thoughtful and collaborative as they problem-solved what animals might need to stay safe and warm.
At the light table, hands busily squished and shaped floam into clouds and carefully constructed igloos. Nearby, others examined weather cards and translated what they saw into beautiful weather-inspired artwork. Another group focused intently on creating “buttons” for the upcoming button sale, using oil pastels, paint sticks, and glitter (we truly want to buy them all!).
The playdough station was a particular highlight as we introduced a pasta roller. The children were completely fascinated as they smooshed the dough through and turned the handle, watching it flatten and transform into spaghetti-like noodles, the beginnings of a playdough pasta shop.
It was a magical morning of simply being with the children, playing alongside them and listening closely as they explored, imagined, and created. We also celebrated finishing our final Mercy the Pig chapter book. Laughter filled the room as we shared the last adventure together, marking our fourth chapter book of the year already.
On Friday, we read Temperature, .We learned a fascinating new fact that things become cooler because of heat transfer, and explored how temperature is measured using a thermometer. The children discovered that here we typically measure temperature in Fahrenheit, while other places around the world use Celsius. These ideas sparked thoughtful questions and excitement as the children began to connect science to their own experiences.
The room then transformed into a series of inviting tabletops for exploration. At one table, the children tested different fabrics and materials, spoons, metal objects, and soft clothes, predicting and determining which would feel warmer or cooler against our bodies. They carefully sorted each item onto panels labeled hot and cold, explaining their thinking as they worked.
At another table, the children experimented with temperature through art. Frozen paint cubes and warmed paint were swirled across paper, creating beautiful, unexpected effects. The children listened closely as they painted, eagerly noticing the differences. Rory shared that the frozen paint wasn’t as easy to glide across the page, while Evelyn observed that it looked more like crayons as it moved.
At the final table, bowls of ice cubes, rubber ice cubes, warm water, and cold water invited hands-on investigation. With thermometers in hand, the children measured temperatures, determining which materials were the warmest, which were the coldest, and which held heat longer. They were completely enthralled, noticing how changes in temperature can transform materials and experiences around us.
In math, we continued to strengthen our understanding of number sequencing using a number line, while gently increasing the challenge. This time, the children sequenced a variety of cards, some showing tallies, others finger counting, domino dots, and traditional numerals. They had to look closely, talk with one another, and collaborate to determine which cards they were holding and, most importantly, “what comes next.” We also continued our work with addition using ten frames and writing out equations. The children are truly gaining confidence and momentum with their addition facts, and it’s exciting to see their growth.
In phonics, each group was busy building important early literacy skills. Miss Arden’s group reviewed decoding CVC words and was introduced to a new sound – /kw/, learning that Q and U stick together like glue! Miss Hanna’s group continued working on writing sentences and explored a new concept: blends. Miss Lori’s group is quickly becoming a room full of little CVC word readers. We are absolutely tickled watching these budding readers grow in confidence and joy as they discover the magic of reading.
With the chilly weather really beginning to emerge, we hope you get some extra snuggles from those little meteorologist’s because as we learned- heat transfers!
Miss Arden & Miss Hanna
Weather Observations:
Rain Jars:
Math Fun:
Temperature Explorations:
Daily Discovery & Explorations:
