What To Do When You Get Mad....

Learning to be good friends this week has been so much fun!  We start each day by finding a friend and looking at them in the eyes and saying "I'm glad you're here today".  It's one of my favorite things to watch!  The first few days, it's a little awkward, but now it sometimes includes a hug or a pat on the back.  They are all really good friends! 

We've learned each other's names and are starting to match the pictures with the written words.  It's important that they can recognize their friend's names.....and it's a super fun way to learn letters!  Each day we practice the days of the week, talk about what month and season it is, and count up to the day of the month.  The kids all know the routine of our morning circle and that means that they will most certainly remind us if we leave something out!

We read our story early today since we weren't using our regular playground time.  The book was another personal favorite, Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch.  "Ugly, ugly, very ugly," yells the class when Stephanie arrives in school with a regular ponytail. But the next day, all the girls have ponytails, too. Disgusted by these copycats, Stephanie has her Mom move her ponytail to one side with the same results. After wearing it on the top and in the front, Stephanie confronts the class with her final act of defiance-she announces that she's going to shave her head! Next day, her teacher and classmates are all bald and what about Stephanie? She shows up to school with her very ordinary ponytail flying out behind her!



The class discussion was all about Stephanie, and her class, getting mad.  Everyone agreed that this was not a story about good friends and how they act!  We made a list of some of the things that make us mad.  We talked about how "mad" looks....and what we might do when we are really mad. 

For art today we made Calm Jars.  These jars are filled with colored water and glitter.  When we are mad, instead of kicking or hitting or yelling (or any other bad choices we might choose), we can shake the jar.  As we watch the glitter settle, we calm ourselves down by counting, breathing deep, and waiting.  We can be mad or upset as long as the glitter is floating around....but when it settles....we must be settled.  Don't worry.....we made one for each child to bring home....but we made a BIG class Calm Jar too!  YOU'RE WELCOME!!!

Then we headed off on our first Out and About.  We had picture cards of things we were looking for while we were walking.  We found a few....but not everything on the list.

Now I know that you all know where the park is located......well today.....it felt like it was about 5 miles away!!  First, we got distracted (obsessed/entertained/mesmerized) by "The Festival".  There were buses...and cars....and kids....and rides....and music.....and police.  We probably took one step every two minutes!! When we finally got to the park, and reviewed the rules, the kids were off.  It's always so much fun to play somewhere new and explore all the equipment.  I don't think any of them stopped moving the whole time we were there.  I'll post a slide show in another post later this weekend!

The walk back to school moved a little more quickly.....the promise of lunch and mommies is very powerful!  Lunch was unusually quiet today.  That's how we can tell that they are tired!  I think they will all sleep well tonight.  Our first Out and About and our second week of school was a success.....we look forward to many many more of both!