.2.0.1.4.

Holidays are over and school starts up again.  I had the most amazing holidays, spending time with family, skiing, and enjoying this beautiful mountain and sun everyday.  I am sure lucky to live in such an amazing area of BC.  This picture was taken on my last ski run of the day before school started.

I feel refreshed and ready for some eager little learners.  I did a bit of reorganizing over the the holidays making some fresh, new, inviting spaces for the students to explore.  I changed our science nook into an animal exploration table.  We will be learning about animals in Science and the kids are already jumping at the bit to play with these animal figurines.

I also set up a small station for animal patterning (more geared towards my Kindergarten) when they done their math work.  I can see some of my Kindy boys really enjoying this activity.

 We also have some new book displays in our classroom library.  We have a TON of books on snow, winter, and snowmen so we have a winter-themed display for the students to enjoy.

As well as, an author study on Barbara Reid and some more books on Animals.  Our reading nook is also filled with wonderful animal books.

I really focus my classroom around the children and I really want them to feel "at home."  I taught a workshop over the summer discussing all the ways you can make your classroom more home-like.  I always try to connect the kids with the things in our classroom.  One important thing I try to do is make space that they can call their own.  Space where they will feel comfortable and relaxed.  I find photos are so inviting, bringing back wonderful memories for the kids, and making them feel like this classroom is theirs.  It is so easy and fast to print off a paper photo, cut it out, and just place it in a photo stand.  I have about six of these stands around the classroom and I always find children admiring themselves and their friends.  

I am so happy to be back at school even with my long list of things to do.  We have new students arriving, new things to explore, and oh-so much learning to be had.  I am very lucky (I know I say that a lot) to have such a wonderful group of young explorers.  So a new year begins and a new adventure starts....

(Exhale.)