December-April

 Spring break is almost over. Strap in for the rapid roller coaster to the end of the year! But first, let's look back at the last few months.

West Pierce Fire Department
We had a fun visit from West Pierce Fire Department. We learned why it's important to use a car seat so that our seat belts sit properly on our bodies and won't injur us in an emergency. Nora helped demonstrate without and with a car seat. Then we measured to see who didn't need to still use a car seat. Oliver was the only one even close. He missed by about an inch.













Hibernation

One of our science studies was hibernation. We used video to watch bears fill up on foods before winter, and later we watched drowzy bears coming out of hibernation. Groundhogs hibernate too! In art we did a directed drawing of a sleeping bear with a cozy quilt.





















February

February is the shortest month but it is packed with celebrations. 100th day of school is a big mile marker in primary. We made posters to show all the things we didn't know 100 days ago. Later, we had a scavenger hunt to find Hershey Kisses labeled from 1-100. 








A few days later it was Valentine's day. The children had made their own bags. The children passed out their Valentine's. We also learned about chocolate in science...that it was actually not a sweet treat..sugar made it that way. Many of our friends were brave enough to try 100% no sugar dark chocolate.















Book Buddies was a big hit! Half the class stayed in my room, the others went next door to Ms Freeby's room. We haven't been able to match schedules again...but we are still trying!










March
March came in like a lion...but spring brings perfect rainbow weather. In science, we learned how rainbows are made, and how to find a rainbow by looking for the sun and searching the sky in the oppposite direction. Then we used water's properties of cohesion and adhesion to create our own rainbows, using markers and paper towel.











Our studies of Holidays Around the World brought us to Nowruz, a Persian tradition that dates back over 3000 years. It is the celebration of the first day of Spring.
The Haft Sin table is decorated with items that start with S in Persian. (Haft Sin means seven S's) They represent life, wisdom, prosperity, health, self reflection, etc. We created one in our room. The children each created a letter for our signs. Goldfish were once placed on the Haft Sin table, but they were set free at the end of Nowruz and it was not a happy ending for them. So now, oranges are placed in water instead. We did a directed drawing and water color of goldfish.







So that catches us up for now.  Thank you for a great turn out at Art and Science Night, and of course for coming to conferences.
Enjoy these last few days of Spring Break. We will have new seat assignments on Monday! We will also be starting our Rainforest studies. Earth Day and the Cheetah Fundraiser are right around the corner.
Advanced warning for Beach Day which will probably be the first week of June. Get your volunteer clearance now because we want you to join us!
Online Volunteer Application
You may leave comments below!
Kindly-
Ms. Rae

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