Wednesday, September 16th

Who has chosen a symbol?

Wilder: "I haven't."
Cape: "I want one."


We brought our symbol organizer to morning meeting today and took a look at who in our class still had yet to choose their own symbol. Wilder and Cape were quick to respond. Jade and Lucas took this opportunity to remind their friends of the symbols they themselves have previously chosen. This was also a fantastic opportunity to discuss who's symbols we recognized on the organizer, but noticed those children may not have been physically with us at school (Hugh, Finlay, Lily).  Children are starting to show both recognition of their peers and awareness of when they are "missing" from the classroom. 

Here are some conversations that occurred during mark making and symbol selection today -

Ines: I see you used these two a lot. The bird and the birthday cake. 
Cape: These are the birdies. 
Ines: Is that the symbol you would like to keep?
Cape: Yes. Because I like angry birdies. Fly up top. They fly up high. They fly down, they play in the sand, they eat the sand. 

Ines: Which one are you using?
Michael: Orange. 
Ines: I see you made a lot of squares. 
Michael: Haha. Yeah. I like square. 

Ines: Which one do you want to sign it with? (speaking about Wilder's paper after he said he was finished and ready to choose a symbol)
​Wilder: This one! 
Ines: What is that one called?
Wilder: The hand. 

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Who is George?

While some children prepared for snack, others read some unopened messages in their mailboxes! We noticed that some children prefer to quietly look over their personal messages in their own space to themselves, and other children want all of their messages read out loud! One message in particular stood out to the rest of the group today. Wilder received a message from George. Who is George, we all wondered? Well, George is a peacock who Wilder knows from a family members farm! Cape made a connection to the name George and we had a discussion about how some people (and also animals) might share the same name. Do you know that there are two teachers at St. John's named Melanie? Now we know! 

Wilder: I got a feather. Look. A peacock feather. A peacock! Another one!
Ines: Can I touch it? Oh it's so soft. 
Cape: Can I please touch it?
Wilder: That's from George. (spoken before Ines read the letter aloud)
Ines: How do you know it's from George?
Wilder: Because of the feather. There is a spot. 
Cape: George came to paint our house. 
Wilder: George came to paint his house?
Cape: Yes, the roof. 

After reading the letter, from George the peacock, we came to the realization that Wilder and Cape were referring to two different Georges! 

Accepting new challenges; A display of self-confidence. 

Half way through our second week, we have noticed such progress in the Brown Room as a collective class group. Children are gaining a better understanding of the daily routine, communicating more effectively with both teachers and peers, and accepting new challenges with a greater sense of self-confidence.

We have observed  increased self-assurance and independence while in the outdoor classroom as well!

Today, Michael and Lucas took on an obstacle course.
Wilder was able to ride a school bike for the first time! 
And Lucas set off on his own project - building a bridge! 
Lucas: I'm building a bridge.
Ines: What do you need for it?
Lucas: Lots of things. But I can't find the things. Please look for things to make a bridge.
Ines: What do the things look like?
Lucas: They look long. 

During our snack time today, we introduced a fruit that some children may have been trying for the first time. Not everyone was enthused with the new choice and some were unwilling to try it, but after careful consideration Michael decided he would take a brave bite. Guess what? He loved it! 

* Reminder - Sam will be away from school Thursday, Friday, and Monday.