Hanging with Almond

 This week has been filled with fall activities and fun. The Almond friends were asked to look out the window and tell me what colors they saw on the trees. Were the leaves green? Were they brown? Were they pink? They all pointed out that the leaves were many different colors and that they even saw them falling to the ground. We have been talking about how when the leaves are falling it means that the season is fall! Something else that goes with our theme this week is being friends! So we decided to make some leaf friends for the day! The kids came to the table and had leaf cutouts to color and a popsicle stick!   When they were done, Ms. Hannah laminated them, and now everyone will get to glue googly eyes to their leaves and make a mouth! They each will get to glue their leaves to their popsicle sticks and take their new friends throughout the room with them. The next time you visit the Almond room, keep a lookout for our new friends!  Indiana Learning Foundations:...

On Wednesday we did everything we normally do, just cozy style! The kiddos wore their Pj's to school because it was a half day because why work harder when you can just be comfy instead. We played in the classroom, we made fun crafts, and we put on a singing party at lunch. This week was filled with such fun and comfort. We spent it laughing and smiling and today was the best day of all.  Indiana Learning Foundations: SC1.1: Demonstrate ability to explore objects in the physical world, SS2.1: Demonstrate awareness of chronological thinking, SW1.1: Demonstrate self awareness and confidence

 One of the kids most favorite Davening songs is "Oh, Let's Be Friends." This short week I've seen the kiddos interact more with each other and work out problems very well together. Whether it's reminding their friends where a toy goes during clean up time or helping a friend up after they've fallen. They've been holding each other's hands and singing songs together during lunch time and have been grabbing their teachers and calling us their best friends too. Lately this world has been through chaos, and everything is filled with uncertainty, but our friends love for each other will always be the classrooms anchor.  These two are so sweet together!  They all worked together to make a garage to work in. Just two nurses taking care of their patients At the grocery store! Sweet hugs on the playground! Helping a friend after a fall Sometimes we need a little more love from a teacher friend Needing a helping hand in the sukkah Indiana Learning Foundations: ...

 On Tuesday this week, it was Show n Tell day! The kiddos got to stand in the sukkah and tell us all about what they brought to school. They were told to make sure to face their friends and tell us everything they wanted us to know about their item. Some friends looked to a teacher or friend for help because sometimes it's not so easy to do something new! Some friend's brought toys, some friends brought funny items from home, and one even brought an ear of corn! I love special days like this because well, they're special!  Indiana Learning Foundations: ELA 1.2 Demonstrate Expressive Communication, ELA 1.3 Demonstrate ability to engage in conversations, SW1.1: Demonstrate self awareness and confidence, SW4.1: Demonstrate relationship skills

 This week the children have been working on a few Sukkah decorations. They've been able to explore watercolor on their own trays and decorate to their liking. It's been so fun getting to see them show their artistic sides and sit and paint the entire filter until there is no more space. They have been starting their decorations as soon as they come in and they take a small break for davening and as soon as it's over they all run back as fast as they can so they can finish painting. After their decorations were dry and laminated, of course Ms. Hannah chose to keep the decorating going with the (you guessed it) glitter! They were able to take their own glue and spread it how they wanted and then poured the glitter on it on their own. I realize one of the things I love most about this class is their eagerness to participate and create. I think I feel closest to them when we all get to sit together and make something no matter what it is. They bring the most joy to the smalles...

 This week we read "Sadie's Sukkah Breakfast" during circle time. A lot of our Almond friends have this book at home, I hear! They were really excited to tell me it looked just like theirs, and some friends were able to read out loud from memorizing it! After reading our book, Ms. Hannah asked the class if maybe they'd be interested in building a Sukkah of their own in the classroom, and our friends jumped on the idea! A little bit into it, I started realizing our friends thought Ms. Hannah meant to build their own with just a few blocks. After a couple minutes of explaining our friends started working together with their teachers to build the class Sukkah. We started with the walls and then the floor, block by block they built it all on their own. We found our green leaf canopy sitting in our classroom closet, and the kids and adults thought it would be the perfect roof. I was so proud of the Almond kids for learning to work together and for every time a friend knock...