February 2024
No friendship is an accident
-O.Henry
Clan Updates -
Water Clan:
It doesn’t feel like I have seen much of those Water Clan kiddos with this weird weather and Winter break. The kids had a hard time transitioning back to school after winter break and asked when it was “gear check” a lot. After February break my hope is that we get into a flow and see some more growth.
Earth Clan:
Our Kinder kids are jumping into this year by being great leaders and helping Ms. G learn the forest play spots. We have been learning a sign language ABC song, counting forest critters, doing fruit tasting, graphing, learning the days of the week song in Spanish and English, (as well as many other songs, the kids are teaching me some great new ones) and so much more! We will be continuing letter name and sound work (building them and using forest tools to practice earth writing). This class LOVES books and I am so happy to read with them! They are finding and making rhymes in songs and books and just from forest finds. I am so excited to get into a nocturnal and diurnal animal unit with them next month!
Air Clan:
Your children in the Air Clan are doing so great! The hard work right now is the social/emotional learning, specifically self-control and using words to explain our feelings and needs. We read a native story every day, and we're getting into the groove of daily focused academic work. I am enjoying watching your kiddos learn to work as a team by asking each other for help, encouraging one another, and last Thursday they even got to a consensus decision on the day's adventure destination without help from an adult! We're off to an awesome start of the school year!
Fire Clan:
Fire Clan kids are starting out the new year strong despite a very slow start with the ice storm! They are showing up excited to be at school each day and are weathering the cold and rainy elements without complaint or issue. They continue to set a wonderful example for the rest of our school. They did an excellent job leading their Forest Families last week, enjoyed making elderberry syrup the week before and are working hard during their academic blocks. They are going to start bringing home some extra math and reading work to complete at home (optional but encouraged). Having an extra gallon sized ziplock bag or similar lightweight waterproof envelope will help transport these papers without getting ruined by water/mud. We’re making headway in our water unit and our class will be starting to practice a Reader’s Theater to share with the rest of the school in the next few weeks.
Reading Challenge -
We’ve had so many comments from parents (and students) about how motivated their child is to read in the past few weeks and they are super excited to see how many minutes we can read as a school by February 7th. We are going to try to keep a weekly tally of minutes to share with kids during all school circle on Thursdays. Going forward, if you could text, email or send your child in with their total minutes read for the week (or since they last reported) by Wednesday nights that would be very helpful. It will make for some great math opportunities!
We will celebrate our 15,000 minute goal (which I think we will smash) on February 8th with a popcorn party and hot tea.
Friendship Day -
February 8th we will be celebrating Friendship Day at school. In the morning at drop off you can support (if needed) your child distributing their “love notes” to each friends bag. Then, near the end of the day, there will be popcorn and hot tea and book reading to honor Friendship Day. Our hope is that the students don’t go through their notes to one another until after school so things don’t get lost, dirty or scattered. Also, handmade cards are best, store bought are absolutely fine and please no sugar.
Ancestral Skills -
Here is what’s coming up:
January 29th - Ivy Baskets and/or Ivy Braids -extra hands needed!
February 5th - Sewn Heart Shape Lavender Sachets- extra hands needed!
February 19th - Cottonwood bud collection and friction fire
February 26th - Making Cottonwood Salve (Balm of Gilead)