Spinning a Yarn!

Our clever hands can comb our hair

Or help us draw a perfect square

They say hello and wave goodbye

And even make a butterfly!-

Thanks partly to Wesley's aunt's donation of fabric and yarn, Kindergartners were able to show off their clever hands!

Some Kindergartners are planning to  assist our Buddies in Mrs. Strickler's class in achieving their goal of creating 6 miles of finger knitting to break a world record!

Being Transformed by Art and Nature!

The calm and peace was readily felt as we drove up into the grounds of the Oaken Transformation Sculpture and Poetry Garden in Brighton, MI.  The landscape screamed of peace and put a demand on our bodies (and minds) to relax, listen, and enjoy.  This counteracted our commute through ever increasing traffic, a missed exit, and a bus full of very curious Kindergartners.   We were warmly greeted by a woman named Anya, and her baby who carries the vision of her father, Dr. Bonine to provide a sanctuary where one can have the best of all worlds-the sights, smells,  and sounds of nature, a leisurely stroll, creative art, and profound spoken word!  The exhibition includes both acquired and consigned works of art by locals and even Anya's piece of poetry is on display.  The visit was truely transforming if you let it!  A special thank you to our Art Teacher Tracy who provides such innovative ways for us to explore the combined worlds of Art, Science, and Literature!  The Kindergartners expressed that they liked it so much they wanted to return with their families.   www.miartwalk.com

Clipboards, pencils, and paper were given to sketch various pieces 

        

        

 Poetry was expressed (and written) while walking along the path!

We marveled at the details of both natural and contrived landscapes!

Lunch in the meadow by the lily pond was our culminating event before boarding busses and returning to school.

Priceless Haiku Poetry!

Ten Cent Haiku 

I sat down to write a haiku.
It seemed like the right thing to do.
I wouldn't need very much time.
No need to bother
with making a rhyme.
I reached in my pocket
and pulled out a dime.
This is my ten-cent haiku:

Shiny silver friend.
i will never let you go.
Look!  An ice cream truck!

- from Flamingos on the Roof: Poems and Paintings by Calef Brown

Kindergartners decided to try their hand at yet another form of writing called "Haiku."  We first reviewed that poetry is another kind of genre and that "genre" is a way of describing a type of writing, music, art, or dance.  We also recalled other genres discussed this year- folk tales, fairy tales, plays, and fiction/non-fiction.  

We identified syllables as "break downs of words into parts."  We then "clapped  out" our first and last names ( and other words like "anti-disestablishmentarianism")   into these syllables or parts.  We later used our clapping technique to convert one of  our poems into "Haiku" Poetry.  We also read that the poetry style of  "Haiku" originated in Japan and has distinguishing characteristics-  are short, does not rhyme, and are usually about nature.  We also discovered that there are traditionally written with 5 syllables on the first line, 7 syllables on the second, and 5 syllables on the third.

Ironically, when given the task to write a poem about themselves as the topic, Kindergartners appeared to have a more difficult challenge.  So we wrote about what we wrote about!  We are also practicing putting "vowels" into all of our syllables and spaces between our words.  Most importantly, it is the Kindergartners' thoughts... their amazing thoughts, that really matter!  We will also be delivering "poems in a pocket" (passing out poems as random acts of kindness) in celebration of the end of "Poetry Month" sometime this week!

Here are samples of some of our Haiku Poetry!

I like teddy bears
La La Loopsy baby dolls
and my Mom and Dad -C.F.

I turn the lights out
Next, I can not find my door
My shutter is closed. -C.R.

Yes!  I like my Mom
Yes! I like my Dad
No, I don't like hot!  W.H.

O U LIS GO (Oh you!  Let's Go)
OI SD SE TL U I LEC (Oh, I should be telling you what I like!)
WL I LEC BOB BSS (Well, I like bubble baths)
And ROAC (Rock) and ROL (Roll) -M.S. 

May/June Dates at a Glance!

Sunrise in Idlewild, MI August 2012

 May's Theme:  Reflections!

May 8th  Wed.  Trip to Oaken Transformation Poetry and Sculpture Walk, 9:30 A.M.

May 12th Happy Mothers Day!

May 16th "Reflections Night"  (location at Allen School)

May 17th No School!  Report Writing Day for Teachers

May 24th Trip to the U of M Museum of Art (UMMA)

May 27th  No School!  Memorial Day!

May 31st  Wild Swan Theatre Workshop for Ks at SK

June 7th Trip to Etienne's Family's Farm!

June 12th Last Day of School of 2012-2013 for Students!

June 13th Staff Development & Debrief for Teachers 

(Other field trips, events pending date confirmation)

(Me at age 2 or 3)  I have no baby pictures!  I'm the 6th girl!

Hi Parents, could you please have your child bring in a Baby Photo for a special "Reflections" project.  Would you include "birth weight" and "body length" information as well?  Thanks! 

Available Snack Provider Dates:  Thanks!

May 20-24th

June 3-7th

Also, we "can" use your  canned good donations for our "Andy (Warhol) Can" Project.  Donations "can" be left outside of the Kindergarten classroom.  Yes we can can reach our 100 can goal!!!

Our Kindergartners are Blooming!!!!!

I immediately encountered  a "floral" Andy when I visited
the "GRAM"-Grand Rapids Art Museum!

Last week was a perfect example of why I love teaching sooooo much!  Everyone (including myself) appeared happy, energized and rested after the Spring Break and raring to go into the next stretch of the school year.  Here are just a few of the highlights!

Our Circle Time chat and stories this week centered around the life,  artwork, and style of American Pop Artist Andy Warhol.  I  spent my break in Grand Rapids attending and presenting a workshop about integrating art and artists into all domains of the curriculum.   I am now excited to once again introduce (or revisit) Warhol to our class curriculum.  




After reading Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol  by Bonnie Christensen, the Kindergartners and I had a moving discussion about Warhol's early life.   We learned how Young Andy did not want to go to school because he felt  picked on by classmates and was  called cruel names even by some of his family members. Andy was also a rather sickly child and suffered from a skin condition called St. Vitus's dance which caused muscle spasms and permanent  blotchy skin.   He also began losing his hair at an early age.    Warhol's challenges seemed to really resonate with the kids as they shared at length some of their own school experiences with feeling "picked on",    having illnesses, and/or  not feeling like coming to school some days.

Andy's Mom's Can sketch!

 We  also read that Warhol used  a journal to capture his thoughts, sketches, and ideas- even as a young child.  We also learned that he had a very loving mother who encouraged his artistic abilities, found art classes for him, and even came to live with him when he was an adult. His mom even assisted in creating some of his artwork.  As a bit of trivia, Warhol's Mom's handwriting appears on a lot of his early graphic design work.  She was also one of his inspirations for his "Soup Can" series and even drew her own version of a soup can.  It is on display at the  Warhol Museum of Art in Pittsburgh PA.

We also studied one of Warhol's other Graphic Design series he worked on with his Mom entitled,        "25 Cats Named Sam..."  then we began sketching "Sams" of our own. Fabulous!!!!!

Kindergartners began two simultaneous Math units this week.  Kindergartners were asked to bring in canned goods  for an upcoming long range activity.  We talked about how some people do not use canned goods but others must due to a lack of the availability of proper refrigeration.   Our school's "Project Learning Approach" will hopefully be very evident as child spend some quality time with this unit as we   tease out many sub-topics.

Our other Math lesson was a little more "dicey", literally.  Ks were given the task of problem solving addition problems using large die.   The problems had to be solved initially using the top facades of  4 die and  evolved into  borrowing some die from a neighbor as the math problems became more difficult.  Number recognition, one to one correspondence, grouping, regrouping, and even some multiplication(!) were some of the strategies  implemented.  Cooperation was also a key!

Science Thursday with Dr. George  included a brief talk about the need for generators and  electricity in Guatemala and a lot of elbow grease from Kindergartners.  After being given safety instructions,  Ks were given the task of extracting microwave parts  with Phillips screw drivers!  Soon afterward, you only heard the grunts of effort and the ping of screws falling to the table!  























 

EBs for the Lower School began last week at SK.  Exploratory Blocks (EBs) are opportunities for Homeroom and Specialist Teachers, Administrators and Parents to pursue their passions with a group of willing participants!  Joanna stated how she could just "feel the excitement and enthusiasm in the air as the halls hummed with activity from 9-10 A.M  Above, Math Teacher Sam discussed size and scale while kids jotted their ideas before hauling tons of boxes to the attic for "Cardboard Cities."  The aroma of salsa permeated  throughout the north wing for Mrs. Carpenter's  cooking class, and children happily donned graphite fingers after Elaine's "Oodles of Doodles" sketching EB!

Our Fabbbbbuuuulous week ended with a  rather spontaneous visit from members of  the Community High School Jazz Band!  Kindergartner Skye was so inspired by our discussion of the Jazz Era  and the Harlem Renaissance (please see previous blog entry) that she exclaimed, "We should have a 'Jazz Party'!"  After relaying the comment to Skye's Dad,' he was then inspired to invite his schools' Jazz band to come play for us!   The Band members discussed "improvisation" and showed their ability to seamlessly switch instruments.  They even took a poll of our favorite instruments!  They made their instruments "talk" and played "Rain, Rain, Go Away,"  took a special request  and finished a whole set, all on their lunch hour!  But before returning to their school, one of the gentlemen was so in awe of our school that he began asking about it at length.  We chatted about the many similarities in our learning environments!  Another band member stated that he has played a lot of gigs but "this  had to be one of my favorites," he said.   What nice compliment and a great educational partnership!!

Our week culminated in a session of Yoga with Dom.  Dominique has the amazing ability to interject Yoga poses right in line with our themes and that week's activities without even being informed beforehand!  She introduced the "rainbow pose"  that she just learned.  We had just discussed rainbows during our poetry readings and enjoyed a mid-week downpour with our umbrellas.   She also revisited one of our favorite yoga activities called "yoga telephone."  This game allows the children to whisper their favorite pose to their neighbor and then afterward perform the pose they thought they heard as a whole group!   Hilarious!