Morning free choice

During morning meeting we read some of our new big books.  The librarian, Ezra, helped me with the book.  We used a reading stick to follow along with the print while we read.  

In the gym, the volleyball net was set up.  We had fun playing with the volleyballs and trying to get them over the net. 

After gym, we had quite a few different instances of mean words.  When we went back to the classroom, we addressed these issues as a class.  I told the friends mean words ("You can't stand by me,"  "Get behind me,"  "None of your business," "Get out of my way," etc.)  are not allowed in our class.  We each took a turn apologizing for something mean we did today.  After each friend apologized, we said as a group, "We forgive you (name of friend)."  We then took turns dipping our fingers in water and blessing each other.  We said to one another, "You are a child of God.  I love you and Jesus loves you."   I reminded the friends that Jesus washes away all of our bad choices and mean words.

We love our friends very much,  and we know that our friends are learning.  We expect children to make mistakes from time to time; this is how they learn.  We are working to teach the friends what words are kind and are unkind.  We are also working to teach the friends why kind words are important.  (They show God's love and build other people up rather than tear them down.)  We appreciate your partnership in this.  

During small group time we worked together to make some visual reminders about kind words.  We all signed the reminders and then hung them in our classroom.  Mrs. Zwettler, Mrs. Lipsey, and I also have miniature versions of the visual reminders for us to use when we are out of the classroom.  

Independently, the friends worked on puzzles. 

With Mrs. Zwettler, the friends practicing recognizing the beginning sounds of words. 

Second free choice 

Sorting with various manipulatives

During small group time we continued to sort with various manipulatives. 

We made a birthday poster for Mrs. Zwettler! (Her birthday is tomorrow.) 

We practiced beginning sounds with Mrs. Lipsey.