Give Peace a Chance

The kids have been eating peace up!! I have seen many of them come in with peace signs on their clothes, and they love showing the peace sign with their fingers, especially when it's time to remember to turn our voices off. Tyler brought in a picture of a diamond encrusted peace sign, too. So cool! This is something that all of the children have been very enthusiastic about. There is such a wide range of topics we are going to cover, but in order to love others, we need to start with loving ourselves. This week, we have been focusing on who we are and what makes us special.

The children started to think about what it would be like if everything was the same. What if we all looked the same? What if all of the seasons were the same? What if all of the toys were the same!? I think Ryan put it best when he said "It would be boring". We then explored the many ways we can be different from each other during a brainstorming activity. You can see what the kids came up with if you look on the bulletin board near the bamboo plant. Although, I would like to share with you the ways in which we can smell different, according to our brainstormers. Sarah said some of us smell like curry-puffs, Dylan said some of us smell like oatmeal, and some other thoughts were shoes, mint and pasta. The kids also had the opportunity to go around the circle and share something about themselves that makes them special. Here are just a few of the things some of the kids shared with their class: Emma loves to eat candy, Eva Y. has a special necklace from her Grandma, Darby loves to give hugs and Joshua loves to play soccer.

Another one of the ways the kids noticed we are different is through our skin color. Using our "Colorations People Paint", the kids took a very close look at their skin and mixed the flesh toned paint in order to create their own skin color. They used the color they created to start making self portraits. This week they will add a new physical attribute. The children will observe the many details of themselves and learn to appreciate how their physical appearances also make them special and unique. We all have eyes, ears and noses, yet there is no one else who looks quite like us.

Also this week, the kids designed a mirror to use while we read the story, "Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods that Make My Day", by Jamie Lee Curtis. We discussed some of the many feelings we can express, and the kids practiced some of them while looking into their mirrors. There is so much more to feelings than happy, mad and sad!

We started to touch on living in places outside of New York City, and how not all people live the way we do. They learned that some people need help from others to get the things they need. Sometimes when we don't need something anymore, it's nice to give it to others for them to use. Some were able to share with the class ways in which they gave to others when they were done using something. They recognized that it's kind of like recycling, and it's a way to spread peace.

This week, we have two parents coming in to talk to the kids a bit about their different languages and traditions. The children will continue to learn about themselves, and then begin to branch off to learn about their family. We only have a three day week this coming week because of parent teacher conferences, but I would like to introduce some new music if time permits.

REMINDERS

The parent-bulletin board has moved to the hallway leading to our classroom. Be sure to check it on a regular basis--there are important notices that are often posted along with our snack sign up and general classroom information.

Parent teacher conferences are on Thursday and Friday this week. If you haven't signed up, please make sure you do. The sign up is also posted on the parent-bulletin board.

We will be having our thanks-giving feast on Tuesday the 24th. The kids will be joining McKenzie's class for lunch, so we will have a community sign-up which will be posted in McKenzie's classroom next to the door that leads to the playground. It will be posted during this week. Class parents, it would be great if you could come and help set up and serve the kids!

Our Pajama Party is on Thursday!! This even is just for our classroom members and their parents. This means that their brothers and/or sisters will have to stay home, but there will be many more family events for them to attend. The kids will bake a special treat the day before, and get to enjoy it with a glass of milk (or soy milk) and some bedtime stories, all while wearing their PJs.

On Wednesday, we will have a videographer/photographer capturing images for the school's website. I will have a release form for you to sign either on Monday or Tuesday. If we have your permission for your child to appear on the website, a bright and colorful outfit would be perfect!

I hope you all had a great weekend, and I look forward to meeting with everyone at the end of the week. I will get in touch with you through e mail if there are any other updates or things you should be aware of.

Peace and Love!

Amanda