Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!  I am SO excited to be back at school and with all my sweet kiddos.  I sure missed them over the summer and feel pretty lucky to have some wonderful new students joining us this year.  

Our classroom library is all set up for the beginning of the year.  Our September, "back to school books" are on display and a new section this year dedicated to non-fiction books (which apparently is going to be a hit this year).  I can't keep the non-fiction books on the shelf so it looks like I might have to do some book thrifting this year!

^^ This book is a hit amongst all the kids.  In fact, we have to take turns with it because of it's high demand.  Many kids have asked for me to write the title of this book in their agendas so they can maybe take it out of the library.  It's called Cabinet of Natural Curiosities (I bought it through amazon). 

^^ We decided to start our math week off with creating some number posters.  We spent lots of time working on forming the numbers, then pushing in the pins, and finally wrapping yarn around each number.  Then we counted out objects to glue to our posters.

^^ We also made alphabet posters for our walls.  We used this awesome bendable wire to trace over the letters on the white sheet.  This ended up being a real challenging lesson but all the hard work paid off!

 ^^ Thanks to the amazing Amelia for helping us all this week.  We would NEVER have been able to already have our alphabet and number posters up on our wall without her, as well as, numerous other tasks she did.  Thanks for all your hard work this week Amelia!  We really appreciate you!

^^ In Math today, I asked the children two simple questions that led to one of my most amazing and best math lessons to date.  I was beaming all day as everyone was pointing out patterns every minute of every day.  This was a day when you ABSOLUTELY love your job and really understand how project based learning really connects their learning to the real world!  I hope you can feel the amazing energy pouring from these photos because Math class today was one to remember!

The kids answered my first question, what different patterns can you make?  It was something they were familiar with but I challenged them to not just think linear or by colour.

 The amazing thing is when you start to see one child experimenting patterns in a different way and then the other kids starting to try new ways too.  It's a domino effect!

 ^ I couldn't figure this pattern out and finally I asked her and she replied, "belly up, belly down, repeat!"  So creative!

^ Love this, sisters working together!

^ Two types of patterning going on here.

^ This is where the real magic happened.  I asked them the second question, "where do we see patterns in our world?"  I was SO amazed at the patterns they were able to capture.  I know this sounds completely cheesy but I honestly had tears in my eyes when I went through the photos they had taken tonight.  They REALLY got it and they saw so many patterns that everyday I completely miss or don't think about it.  I learn from these children everyday.  I have the best job in the world!

Not to make others jealous but this is one view we get to bask in everyday!   

Below are photos taken by BWCS students.  I think you will be just as amazed as I was.

 ^ This is the spring underneath a bench!!! Wow!

 ^ The speaker on the playground equipment.

I wish I could post all the photos they took (there was over 100 of them) and I can't wait to show them all their photos on Monday.

Ok, so this was an amazing first week.  I can't believe how much we have already done and experienced and this is only the first week!  So much more to explore, learn, and discover.

Have an awesome weekend everyone!