Ms. Handibode: Beavers, Butterflies, and Books

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

On Tuesday, our Kindergarteners spent the day at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury. We hiked to Botany Pond, where the children caught and identified all kinds of creatures — tadpoles, beetles, newts, giant water bugs, leeches, and salamanders. We spotted turtles sunning on a rock and fish in the water, though the frogs managed to hide from us this year! Before we left, the children gently released everything back into the pond.

We also got up close to a beaver lodge, which was a real highlight. A Flanders volunteer explained how beavers dam up a culvert each night — and the children were genuinely amazed by how clever these animals are. On the walk back, several kids said it was one of their favorite days ever. Flanders is open to the public, and we highly recommend a family visit.

Back in the classroom, we welcomed four butterflies into our habitat and released them outside after a few days together. Watching that transformation never gets old.

We also had two wonderful guest readers this week — Jasper’s mom read The Weirs and Brooks’ mom read Dragons Love Tacos. The children had so many great questions and comments. We love having families in the classroom!

Extending Learning at Home

Flanders Nature Center is a beautiful spot for a family outing — the children would love to show you around. At home, you might look up beavers together or find a field guide to freshwater animals at your local library. Your child will have a lot to say about what they found in that pond!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, May 25
    No School — Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Playground Volunteer: Jeremy H.
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Remi L.

Looking Ahead

  • Monday, June 1
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Hannah B. | Field Day
  • Friday, June 6
    Last Day of School — 11:30 Dismissal

Mrs. Lopes: Into the Wild

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

This week our Kindergarteners took a field trip to Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury. We started with a hike through the woods to the beaver lodge, where a Flanders volunteer explained how and why the beavers dam up a culvert each night and shared information about all the amazing species that live on the property.

Then we hiked to the botany pond, where the children had the chance to catch and identify amphibians, reptiles, and insects. We found tadpoles, beetles, newts, giant water bugs, leeches, and salamanders, and we spotted turtles resting on a rock, fish swimming, and a hopping frog. When we were done, the children carefully released everything they had collected. Walking back, several kids shared what a great day it was!

Flanders is open to the public — we encourage you to take advantage of this beautiful nature center.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week

  • Monday, May 25
    No School

Mrs. Sargeant: A Week of Wonder

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

What a week! We had three butterflies emerge from their chrysalises, and the children were right there to watch it happen. They offered slices of orange to help the butterflies build up energy before their first flight — a small act of care that meant a lot to all of us.

On Tuesday, our Kindergarteners went to Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury for a pond study. The children used nets to collect water samples and found all kinds of creatures — tadpoles, newts, insects, and more. It was a hands-on morning of real science, and the children loved every minute of it.

Extending Learning at Home

Ask your child what they found at Flanders — they’ll have plenty to say! On your next walk outside, take a few minutes to look closely at what’s living around you. You don’t need to go far to find something worth noticing.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, May 25
    No School
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Sharing Bag and Flowers — Kaiya
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Arsalan’s Birthday
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Gayle M. — Recess

Ms Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Our classroom has been enjoying these beautiful spring days together. We were so excited to release our butterflies after watching their full life cycle unfold right in our classroom. The children observed each stage with such care and curiosity, and it was a wonderful way to bring our studies of nature to life. Kindergarten students also had a great time on our field trip, where the children explored ponds, searched for tiny critters, and learned more about the plants and animals that live in and around the water.

To end the week, we attended the middle school and upper elementary play together. The children loved watching the older students perform and were captivated by the music, costumes, and storytelling. Experiences like these help build a strong sense of community within our school and give our students opportunities to connect learning, creativity, and wonder in meaningful ways.

Mrs. Lopes Class

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, we began our unit on insects. The children learned the parts of an insect, and we sang the song “Head, Thorax, Abdomen” to reinforce what they were learning. We also learned that 90% of the animals on earth are insects and there are over 5 million different kinds of insects.

On Tuesday, we did our Annual Bug Scavenger Hunt. The children had so much fun searching outside for all kinds of bugs — looking under rocks, on the wall, and under the swings.

We also have 5 fully formed chrysalis in our classroom.  The children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of butterflies, hopefully this week!

Extending Learning at Home

Head outside and go on your own bug hunt! See how many insects your child can find and ask them to point out the head, thorax, and abdomen. A magnifying glass makes it even more fun!

Ms. Handibode’s Class

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Now that we are entomologists, we went on a bug scavenger hunt. Ask your children what insects they were looking for and which ones they found. For the sharing box this week, Mila dressed in her beekeeper suit and shared honeycomb from her beehives. It was a wonderful addition to our continued studies on insects and prompted a lot of conversations among the children.

Our author study this month is Mem Fox. Our favorite story so far is Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild. Veda’s dad read Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared to the class. The children loved this book and asked me to read it to them again later that day. We love the excitement that books continue to elicit in the classroom.

Extending Learning at Home

Look for other books by Mem Fox at your local library — there are so many wonderful ones to explore together. If your child is still buzzing about bees, ask them to tell you what they learned from Mila’s visit!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week

  • Monday, May 18
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Hannah B.
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Playground Volunteer: Dhanishry N.
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Nature Center
  • Wednesday, May 20
    Guest Reader: Kay M.
  • Thursday, May 21
    Birthday Celebration: Hannah B.

Looking Ahead

  • Monday, May 25
    No School — Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Playground Volunteer: Jeremy H.
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Remi L.

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week in our classroom, there was a lot of curiosity and hands-on learning happening all around us. The children were fascinated watching our caterpillars transform into chrysalises, checking on them each day, and sharing their observations with excitement. We also headed outside for a fun scavenger hunt where the students searched for all kinds of insects and practiced noticing the differences between insects and spiders, especially the number of legs and body parts.

Inside the classroom, our kindergartners have been working hard on their autobiographies, drawing pictures, and writing about themselves, their families, and the things they love. Another favorite activity this week was working together in small groups to build Roman arches with blocks. The children experimented with balance, problem-solving, and teamwork as they discovered how the shape of an arch can hold weight and stay standing.

Strawberry slicing was a big hit this week. After washing the berry, they use a strawberry huller to remove the stem. Then they use an egg slicer to slice the berry and serve it to friends, followed by heading to the sink to wash and dry each item from the tray.

Please return your child’s Take Home Folder each week, otherwise they have no place to put their work during the week.

Extending Learning at Home

Invite your child to help in the kitchen — washing fruit, slicing with a child-safe knife, or setting the table are all great ways to practice the same practical life skills we work on in the classroom. You can also head outside together and see how many insects your child can spot, and ask them how they know it’s an insect and not a spider!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week

  • Monday, May 18
    Rayna: Food, Flowers & Sharing Bag
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Pond Study
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Driscoll Playground Volunteer
  • Wednesday, May 20
    Ava’s Birthday Celebration

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

The children had so much fun preparing colorful fruit kabobs during food preparation this week. Carefully slicing bananas, threading blueberries and grapes onto skewers, and creating their own patterns gave everyone a chance to practice independence, coordination, and concentration while enjoying a healthy treat together. There is always such a sense of pride when the children prepare food with their own hands, and this activity was no exception. Some children have also continued working on our long cubing chains in the hallway, counting farther and farther each day as we make our way closer to 1000. The children are developing such patience and perseverance as they watch the quantities grow before their eyes.

As the school year begins to wind down, our classroom conversations naturally turn toward change and growth. Our Kindergarteners are preparing to move on to Lower Elementary, while we look ahead to welcoming new toddlers into our community next year. In many ways, it feels like our final lesson on life cycles – reflecting on how we grow, change, and make space for new beginnings. The children are beginning to recognize that just like the plants, butterflies, and animals we have studied throughout the year, classrooms also go through seasons of transformation.