We are so thankful for the community here at Our Shepherd.  Lila, a 5th grader, comes to say good morning to our friends almost every day! 

During chapel, Pastor Lepley shared with us that Jesus always carries our burdens.  If we are feeling sad, lonely, hurt, etc. we can give all of that to God!  He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross and rise again to save us! 

We deepened our classroom community with our "Hello Neighbor" good moring song during morning meeting.

Olivia helped us with the alphabet this morning!  The friends had fun using a "hulk voice" to practice the alphabet.  :) 

We then played "how many are hiding?"  This game lays a strong foundation of math concepts including the ability to subitize, count, and beginning addition and subtraction concepts. 

Thank you Abby for the new fun book! 

Gym time! 

We did a relay before having some free choice. 

Back in the classroom, we had free choice time.  

Exploring seeds and light

The friends were very excited about the new things in the flower shop. 

Ezra and Kennedy noticed the different name tags with jobs in the flower shop.  One of the tags says "delivery."  

"How can we deliver flowers without a car?"  they asked.  

"Hmm...how could we make a car in our classroom?"  I responded.

"Let's use the big box!" 

I told them we could use the bog box if they wrote their plan for the car first.  They got straight to work! 

The beginning stages of the car

Nora helped design a wheel for the delivery car.  Great problem solving Nora! 

Dominick and Olivia practiced recognizing numbers to see the cost of various flowers.  They also practiced counting out that same amount of dollars.  This is a large reason free choice play is important in our classroom.  The friends are working on and using important skills on their own! The fact that they are self motivated helps the friends retain the information more because it is meaningful to them.  

Working on wheels for the delivery car

The name tags help the friends identify the various jobs.  It also helps them work together!  

"I am the florist.  I will make the bouquets." 

"I am the cashier.  I will collect the money." 

Abby and Kennedy took phone orders for flowers.  They practiced writing the friends' name who ordered as well as numbers as they wrote how much the flowers cost. 

Lucas and Olivia ordered flowers over the phone.

Delivering the flowers

"We need a map to see where to go!" 

Some of the friends used their knowledge of maps that we learned to create maps for the delivery car!

In line to purchase flowers.  These friends are practicing number recognition, counting, as well as important social skills. 

Florist Isabella was hard at work creating bouquets.

Owen independently problem solved the issue of the "back door" falling down.  He tried pulling it and that did not work.  He then tried taping it, and that worked!  Problem solving is an important life skill! 

The friends observed our own flower garden to check and see if they were ready to sell in the shop.  

Second free choice

Mason practiced writing as he took phone orders.

The friends wanted to make a door for the car, but it caused the back of the car to fall down.  The friends worked to problem solve how to fix it. 

Flower shop fun

The friends wanted to paint the wheels for the delivery car.

Then they wanted to paint the car!  :) 

Exploring light

Taking orders

Owen drew maps for the delivery car. 

Making cards for the bouquet

During small group time we made and delivered invitations for other classes to join us in the flower shop! 

We also continued to work on the still life artwork.