Colonial Trade Fair

Going back about two weeks ago,  we had the most wonderful journey back in time to the Colonial Days!! We were invited to the Fourth Graders' Colonial Trade Fair on a Wednesday morning and it was such a rich and novel experience for us. The Fourth Graders had researched and brought to life a wide array of trades and crafts that existed several hundred years ago. They set up shops and were dressed in period clothing and explained their trades to the kindergartners and allowed them to engage in an activity relative to the craft they were demonstrating. It was just like being in the midst of a colonial village at a busy time of day as parents and other students were also exploring this early part of our history.

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A Violin Serenade!

We had a special treat last week when William brought in his violin and played several songs that he is learning.  It is wonderful to know that several of our kindergartners are taking music lessons already!  This fosters such a love of music, enhances math skills and deepens creativity.  Encore!!

Citizen Science - The Great Backyard Bird Count

This weekend, spend a bit of time outside doing something for the birds and being a part of this amazing international program.  It's a great thing to do with the whole family!  This post also comes from my favorite science for kids website, called Science News for Students and you can find by clicking this link.  If you're stuck indoors, it might be fun to read some of the articles with your children!  It's a terrific resource.  Have a great weekend of science and see you all on Tuesday!

A weekend for the birds

BY BETHANY BROOKSHIRE 

3:47PM, FEBRUARY 12, 2014

Take time this weekend to count birds for citizen science as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

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In many parts of the northern hemisphere, February is a time of year full of snow, gray skies and cold. But while we can curl up indoors with hot chocolate, our feathery friends must take what the weather throws at them. This weekend you can head outside and join them — if only briefly. And even if it’s cold, keep in mind that you’re braving it for a good cause: science.
The Great Backyard Bird Count runs February 14 to 17. It offers an opportunity not only to learn more about the birds in your area but also to help scientists study birds the world over. Started by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this event relies on the help of citizen scientists — people from all walks of life who collect real scientific data (often just by observing the world around them).
All you have to do is go outside and count every bird you see or hear for at least 15 minutes. You can sit in one spot, take a nature walk or do anything else. Just keep your eyes open and ears alert to any feathers or chirps. Write down how many different types of birds you saw and heard. An online guide can help you figure out which species you witnessed.
Then log onto the Great Bird Count website. After creating an account, pinpoint your location on the map provided. Now enter your data. Still unsure what to do? Instructions and a video guide on the website will walk you through what you need to do.
The birds you count over the weekend will help scientists get the big picture of what birds are wintering where. Remember: Every extra set of eyes and ears can really help.

Power Words

citizen science   Scientific research in which the public — people of all ages and abilities — participate. The data that these citizen “scientists” collect helps to advance scientific research. Citizen science means that scientists can get data from many more people and places than would be available if they were working alone.
ornithology  The science of the biology and behavior of birds.
species  A group of similar organisms capable of producing offspring that can survive and reproduce.

San Valentín

¡Feliz Día de San Valentín!

May this day bring you a lot of joy, love and warmth. In a day like today I think of many people, but today I'm remembering my students. They have brought a lot of affection and happiness in my life. Therefore, I would like to give you a little Valentine's gift.

We have had to go through a really tough winter season so far. Physical activity and exercise is important to fight the "winter blues." My favorite indoor activity with the children during Spanish is to bailar (dance)! Please click here to listen a song and dance called "Conga, Conga." Do not worry if you don't know how to dance to this song, your children will teach you!

P.S: They know a slight different version from the one shown in the video.

Bake Some Brownies!!!!

When you tire of playing in the snow, take some time and make some easy one bowl brownies. This is a recipe I like, and the brownies disappear quickly. My family loves these brownies and I enjoy that they are easy to make. I hope you enjoy your time in the snow, I look forward to seeing you next week!

Get the recipe here.

Wondering on Valentine's Day...

 

Although we have no school today

I’m wondering where you are

Are you home or out to play

Are you near or far?

Did you like that snow that came

with that great big storm?

Were you safe inside your house

and keeping very warm?

I wonder if you’re thinking about music

On this special day

Are you singing or dancing

in your own unique way?

I want to send you something

that will travel through the air

From my house to yours

It will float without a care

I’m sending you my love

On this Valentines Day

And wishing you hugs and happiness

Both at home and away

Valentine Connection

This morning our students made thoughtfully crafted valentines to be delivered to a special neighbor in our community.  That neighbor is The Breathing Room Foundation,  a wonderful group committed to supporting families who have a loved one dealing with cancer.  It was our lucky day as the first day of "Random Acts of Kindness Week." Our third adult was not able to join us and so Crissy stepped right in to help us on our journey into town.  It was an amazingly beautiful day with the sun shining, the snow sparkling and smiles on all of the kindergarten faces!!  We were greeted by Mary Ellen and Eileen of the Foundation and led into the kitchen where we shared our valentines and in turn were treated to valentine cookies!  More kindness!  Eileen shared with us how packages are carefully put together for their families and secretly delivered to brighten up their days.  What a rich experience we had and we look forward to deepening this connection with our newly discovered neighbors.

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Dinosaurs Unearthed!

This scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

We were delighted that we were able to go on our field trip yesterday to the Academy of Natural Sciences to experience Dinosaurs Unearthed.  We had an interactive lesson to introduce us to some concepts about dinosaurs before we visited the exhibit.  We were not all convinced that no dinosaurs could swim or fly and that what we see in the museums are not bones but fossils.  We got a sense of some dinosaur sizes and some unique body parts.  Best of all, Christine got us all thinking and wondering about these amazing creatures.

Entering the exhibit was a bit intimidating.  The dinosaurs are big and scary looking, and they move!!  But we were not daunted and made it all the way through.  We even helped uncover an Elasmosaurus fossil on the way.  On our way into the exhibit we saw some paleontologists working on an Edmontosaurus skeleton (fossil) that they had been working on for over a year!  It's a lot of work to uncover a dinosaur!