Everything Grows and Grows... Day 128 - 132

Day 128 

Monday means the arts. 

We are working on something to submit to the EastLA Arts Festival.

Why not do sponge painting and make the planet Earth?

Day 129

We finished all the field trip teeshirts.

Wanted something simple, 

but meaningful.

I sense a theme here.

Day 130

Sometimes you need to take a day off

to take your kid to 2 doctor's appointments,

and your senior pup to his vet appointment,

and in between,

you work on getting two more field trips

for your class this year. #Number4and5

You also make a Home Depot run

and get some new butterfly milkweeds

so that you can begin to rebuild your

wonderful butterfly garden again.

Day 131

I love our portable "garden."

I am not ready to trust our space on the yard for a garden yet.

After being violated/vandalized winter,

I don't want our butterfly weeds to suffer the same fate.

Today, we made observations about our new plant.

Today, we discovered there were at least 3 monarch larvas

living in our new plant!

Our mystery caterpillars are developing nicely inside their chrysalis.

We can't wait to see what emerges!

Can you spot the larvas?

The most wonderful time of the year...

Today the students helped me write and read my journal entry.

Today, I decided to share some insights about early literacy with parents.

Even if 1 or 2 parents learn something about child development,

it would have been worth it.

Day 132

You see a huge, blue tarp.

I see endless possibilities for dramatic play!

Spring Forward! 123 - 127

 Day 123

Tearing paper can be a calming activity.

Tearing paper helps develop fine motor skills.

Tearing paper can create a beautiful piece of spring art too!

Sometimes you see a great idea from another educator

and you copy it!

I did that today

and the kids created a collaborative piece of art.

Habit 6: Synergize- Together is Better!

Day 124

Sometimes you add yourself to the activity.

I did that today

and they understood the task.

Day 125

Yesterday there was a rumor that caterpillars were falling from the tree.

When we went outside to look,

they were gone.

This morning, we went again.

We found 4 of them!

When generous people donate to your project,

you use the materials they gifted you!

Listening and following a pattern is not always easy,

but with your own drum,

it makes it a lot of fun!

Day 126

This morning our caterpillars decided it was almost time.

and we made rainbows and wore green!

Day 127

This morning one of our friends decided he was going to sleep for awhile.

We introduced the word metamorphosis. 

Day Off...

Home Depot Curbside pick up.

100 pounds of play sand is pretty heavy!

And I learned what Canva was

and made a few flyers.

Hoping to gain some recruits for this fall.

and I got a nice treat for myself while playing Uber Mom.

An Artful Week 118 - 122

I love art,

but never been one that can create something easily,

but with some guidance,

I'm better.

So as a teacher,

I feel my role is to introduce students

to the tools that can inspire them to create.

And create they do...

way beyond expectations.

Last Friday,

I introduced oil pastels and watercolors,

this week one of my brilliant artists

continued to add on to his collection of masterpieces!

Day 118: 

During indoor centers, I took out the oil pastels and watercolors and just placed them at a table.

A took over and created another piece of work.

He started the school year in late December,

but has adjusted beautifully to our program

and every week, 

I discover something new and wonderful about him.

He can hold a tune,

repeat a steady beat,

learned how to write his long name,

is kind,

considerate,

and dependable.

I would like to purchase this piece for my home collection.

Day 119

Today's masterpiece motivated others to create their own masterpieces.

AR wanted to go another route and create one of his favorite characters.

Day 120

And the creative juices continue to flow.

Today, S and M created a piece together.

They brought me their collaboration and promptly said,

"Miss Fung! We synergized!"

When there's a case of hand, mouth, and foot disease,

both kids and parents get a lesson in NOT,

I repeat NOT putting your mouth directly on the water spout!

Today, we welcomed our new class pet.

We named him Cheese.

Day 121

What can you do with $4.95 drums from Home Depot?

Not only can you teach steady beat and tempo,

but you can also teach PA, blending, and segmentation too!

Presenting A's Thursdays creation...

Day 122

Our week ended with Science Time.

Found a way to integrate some art into our exploration of solids. 

#ArtMatters

113 - 117

Day 113

Read Across America Week kicked off with Jersey Day.

I got to wear my new Dodger City Connect Jersey with my favorite childhood player's name and number. 

It was a steal, 

but I had to wait until it arrived from China.

Day 114

Always my favorite thing to witness...

When students connect letters to sounds!

Go Damian!

Day 115

Read Across America Day 2022,

virtual again.

This time we listened to a former student,

now in middle school,

read a long Dr. Seuss Book.

He did great!

I just miss having in-person readers.

Maybe next year.

Day 116

Mama said there would be days like this....

You can't help but laugh,

even though it wasn't funny at the time!

Thanks Donorschoose for the spare undies, socks, and shorts!

Thanks Ms. P and Ms. B for just being...

Day 117

In another life, 

I may have been an artist or musician,

but in this one, 

I love to teach and inspire the arts.

Children creating makes me happy.

Creating something wonderful makes me happy.

Today my cup was filled!

Kiddos creating their masterpieces!

Ms. P leading us in our "masterpieces!" 

Art is never wrong.