Fourth Grade Fair!

This morning after much suspense and excitement, we went to the Fourth Grade Fair! The event was originally scheduled for Friday, but due to inclement weather it was pushed back until today. Even though the rain persisted throughout the day, the ever resourceful fourth graders set up shop in the Hallowell gym. They gave us a special time that we could go (which didn't interrupt our rest time!) and had activities specially targeted towards the youngest community members. These activities included face painting, bean bag tossing, pin knocking, scooter games, and more. We had so much fun!

 

When we came in this morning, we noticed something amazing in our sand table! Through mysterious circumstances, a few seeds were placed in the sand last week, and today we realized that there were four sprouts that were peaking up through the dunes. We closed off the sand table from regular play and began examining the new plants. A very interesting discussion erupted: Would the plants stay alive in the sand? Many Owls explained that most plants live in dirt, and so there was a clear divide on who thought the sprouts would survive. We decided to make a graph of who thought what, and we are excited to see what happens to our surprise guests over the course of the next few days!

At morning meeting, we discussed how to add more dialogue into the script of our play. Friends shared ideas of what they could say in the show to help make the story more clear. Kristin also worked more on the costumes, which are looking so good!

(A sneak preview)

Other Owlings:

Finding a spider web

"The rocks can write here. It's kind of like chalk."

"I HAVE A MUSTACHE!"

A letter to Gwen: "Gwen thank you for reading us a story love Sadie"

 

A rainy day romp in the auditorium

We are also very much looking forward to tonight's potluck dinner! We hope that you can all attend. It will be in the EC commons from 5:00 to 7:30pm. See you there!

Español con las Lechuzas y los Búhos: Arroro mi niño (Hush-a-bye my child)

¡Bienvenidos familia, amigas, y amigos! Welcome! During our previous clase de Español, it was Pharaoh’s turn to choose our destination to a Spanish speaking country. Following our morning salutations, he suggested we head over to Mexico.

In order to review the Spanish vocabulary for some of the modes of transportation that may (or may not) take us there, a picture of a particular style of transport was held up for las Lechuzas y los Búhos to see.  As each picture was shown, las Lechuzas y los Búhos were asked,¿Vamos en esto? (Are we going on this?). But no one can trick las Lechuzas y los Búhos. They not only knew what mode of transportation we would need to get all the way to Mexico, but they also knew the name of the vehicles in Spanish! For example, when a picture of a bicycle was held up and las Lechuzas y los Búhos were asked if that is how we will get there (¿Vamos en esto?), they would answer, “¡No. That’s a bicycle. A bicicleta!” Try them! Ask any of las Lechuzas y los Búhos how to say any of the following in Spanish:

vocabulary words:

carro - car

bote - boat

bicicleta - bicycle

tren – train

motocicleta – motorcycle

camión – truck

avión – airplane

Once we arrived and gathered in a círculo, we each took a turn at tossing a Big Die that represented a different flat geometrical shape. Using the Big Die, each of las Lechuzas y los Búhos took a turn at rolling it and announcing the Spanish name for the shape it landed on.

vocabulary words:

circle - círculo

oval - óvalo

triangle - triángulo

rectangle - rectángulo

square - cuadrado

rhombus - rombo 

Afterwards, we practiced saying the lyrics to one of the songs we will be singing at our Spring Performance. It is a traditional Latino lullaby titled, Arroro mi niño.  And, what’s a great way for us to practice singing a lullaby? Singing it to our “lovey”, that’s how.

We finished our class with our traditional song, Adios, hasta luego, and Pharaoh squeezing la vaca. ¡Gracias, Pharaoh !

¡Hasta nuestro proximo viaje!

Paz,

Alicia

Right after the Memorial Day weekend, on Tuesday, May 28 from 5-6:30 p.m., we are having an EC  Pot-luck Dinner on our nature playground. We know that it is a busy time of the year and this day on our very busy school calendar was the only one available.  We hope that your family will join us.

We do need to try to get an idea of a head count and what families will bring to the pot-luck.  If you have not already done so, please sign-up in your child's classroom (or outside of the door.)  If you do not see this e-mail in time to  sign-up, please e-mail Debbie at dgreen@abingtonfriends.net  with how may people will be coming (adults and children) and what you are able to bring.

Also, as seating is limited, please feel free to bring a blanket or folding chairs.

¡Espero verlos allí! I hope to see you there!

paz,

alicia

There Is Mischief Afoot!

This morning, we discovered that a nefarious deed had taken place. The bean sprouts that we had worked hard on planting were literally pulled out of the raised beds outside, and are now dead. We were upset, but we dedicated a morning meeting discussion about what we can do to prevent such events from happening again. We came up with many ideas, including signs, fences, roofs, a house that has a screen on the top (to still let sunlight in), and more.

We visited Gwen, who read us a story called "Boot and Shoe" about two doggie best friends and one very mischievous squirrel. We also borrowed books for our classroom for the last time of the school year! Next time we visit Gwen, she will not be able to let us borrow books because she will be hard at work taking a book inventory. This is a very strange reminder that the end of school is just around the corner!

Other Owlings:

Written by Sadie "Dear Kaya I love [you]"

Written by Kevin: "Don't break this"