* Literacy Centers & Social Learning Time

One of our favorite parts of the day is Social Choice Time. This is a time when we can use our imagination and creativity! During this time of the day we add literacy to our play. To learn more about Literacy Centers click here.

During this time of the day we learn to share and take turns. We learn about our community of friends.

We use these activities to build vocabulary and communication skills. We do lots of writing about this time of the day. We write before, during and after. We enjoy reading about our time together.

This is our teacher's favorite poem...

Just Play
By Anita Wadley
From Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul Copyright 1999 by Jack Canfield and Mark V Hansen
When I'm building in the block room, Please don't say I'm "just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. About balance and shapes.
When I'm getting all dressed-up, Setting the table, caring for the babies. Don't get the idea I'm "just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint, Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, Please don't let me hear you say "He's just playing." For you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm expressing myself and being creative. I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair Reading to an imaginary audience, Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, Or packing my pockets with choice things I find, Don't pass it off as "just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle, Or some "plaything" at my school, Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods, Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "just play." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to follow directions and see differences. I may be a chef someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, Please don't say I'm "just playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today, And I say, "I played." Please don't misunderstand me. For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work. I'm preparing for tomorrow. Today, I'm a child and my work is play.

* 3 D Snowpeople

We worked with our 4th grade buddies to create these 3 D Snowman creations.

We have had some great snow here at our school! We are looking forward to more snow days ahead... but for today we are in a January Thaw.

What kind of weather are you enjoying?

* We've Got Mail

This is our class "Motivation Mailbox." Our teacher made it out of a real mailbox. She painted it and put school stickers on it.

The mailbox is on a shelf in our classroom. It has a red flag on it. Sometimes the red flat is up, and sometimes it is down. If the flag is down, the mailbox is empty. If the flat is up, the mailbox has something in it.

We get very excited when the red flag is up because we know "We've got mail!" It is fun to open the box and see what is inside. These are just some of the things we have found in our mailbox:
* A letter from our teacher
* A letter from a friend
* A special book
* A music CD or learning DVD
* A class rule that we need to be reminded of
* Praise notes
* All about us pages
* A treat!
* An item that we get to talk or learn about (clocks, coins, etc.)

* M U S I C Fun!

Each Monday our Friend comes to our school to sing with us. He brings his Guitar and Banjo. We learn fun and silly songs!

We sing songs about Monster Goop, Beavers and even Bubble Gum. Songs help us learn.

Singing makes us smile.

Thank you Music Friend!

* Kid Letters

We are active learners. Here we are using our bodies to make letters. Letters are made from straight lines, slanted lines, and curvy lines. Some letters are just straight. Some letters are just curvy. Some letters are straight and curvy. We like learning about letters and their shapes and sounds. We are learning to read and write.

Learn Your ABC's

Act silly

Believe in Magic (or Believe in Yourself)

Create adventures

Daydream every chance you get

Enjoy life as much as possible (Or Enjoy the little things)

Find time for fun

Goof off (or Go to Unexplored places)

Hang upside down from trees or Hug Somebody)

Imagine...

Join clubs (or Join)

Keep it simple

Love all creatures

Make time for friends

Nap when you can

Open you mind to new ideas!!!

Play when you feel like it (or Play Every day)

Question the answers (or Quiet your mind)

Run with the wind

Sing favorite songs

Take days off

Uncover your talents

Venture out (or voice your opinion)

Walk on the wild side

X-pect the best Y

ield to the moment

Zzzz peacefully at night

* A Place to Show Our Best Work

To start the New Year out, our teacher is challenging us to do our Personal Best Work. We are learning to slow down and take pride in our work products.

To help us show off our Personal Best Work, our teacher created a special space in our classroom. She made a "Happy Kid" sign with our name on it. We each colored our Happy Kid, using our hair and skin color. We colored our Happy Kid's shirt with our favorite color.

Next we each were given a special tack to use to pin our Personal Best Work over our Happy Kid. We are excited to show pride in our work. Just watch us shine!

* Hugs!

There are some very nice people in our world. Many of our parents are away from our families serving our country. We miss them when they are away from our home. Some high school students gathered over 500 stuffed animals and delivered them to our school. The animals give us something to hug! We made a sign for them, and we signed our name to the sign. We thank them for their kindness!

Thank You Friends!