Caroling: COVID-19 Style

We have a school tradition to Christmas carol!  This is not any ordinary Christmas caroling, this is: the entire-school-gathers-to-Christmas-carol!  In ordinary years, class parties occur, and we end our final day together, before break, in the cafeteria singing.  Preschool through 8th grade gather.  Eighth grade leads us in popular secular and religious carols.

This year was different, but amazing.  We gathered, outside, for the FIRST time this year.  I looked around the grass, and saw our entire school for the very FIRST time -- together in the same space.  I almost cried. Eighth grade led us, and we sang.

The video shows our class singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas."  This song is the definite favorite of all the kids.  The actions make it fun for everyone.  I hope it warms your heart!

Deck the Halls

'Tis the season for festive, holiday decorations!  I love incorporating seasonal art into my classroom curriculum.  Here is what the hall looked like this week.  Some of the items have been up for several weeks, but we "finally" were able to get all items in place this week.

Advent wreaths, created during art class, are featured.  Weaved paper trees and Christmas tree "cookie" ornaments are other decor.  The stars were created by glueing tissue paper onto cardstock.  I attached a school photo and laminated the finished product.  Finally, the finished habitat science boxes are featured on the floor.  Slowly, items are making their way home with the students! 

Habitat Happenings

Over the past 6 weeks we have been learning about biodiversity and habitats.  We studied the coral reef, dessert, grasslands (prairie), rain forests, and woodlands (forests).  We learned that animals depend on specific plants and other animals for survival.  We also learned that certain animals are suited for survival in specific habitats, and others are not.  We learned that insects are abundant -- almost everywhere -- and birds can live in nearly any type of habitat.

Students created habitat boxes, or dioramas, of one specific habitat.  Students were partnered with a different habitat to complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast their habitat to a friend's habitat.  

These photos show students viewing the habitats, and sharing sticky note compliments on each box.  Students used class, foam, paper, rocks, sand, grass, trees, plants, and other assorted supplies to create their habitat in a shoe box or a tissue box.  I think they may remember habitats!

Poster Perfect

Students were encouraged to create a poster representing how Christ is the center of the Christmas season.  We spent about a week of class time creating our posters.  This student achieved a second place finish in the K-2 grade division!  Congrats on a beautiful, and blessed poster! 

Bluestem Grass

This week we have been exploring the grassland ecosystem.  We have discovered that the Konza prairie is an example of the American prairie, and is a grassland!  Mrs. Feldkamp has native Bluestem grass in her pasture, so she brought some to school.  

Bluestem grass is a tallgrass prairie grass example.  We learned that the grass is a blue-green when it is growing.  We also discovered that this grass is tall!  Our two tallest students stood beside the grass, and our two shortest students stood beside the grass.  Bluestem grass can grow to be 5-6 feet tall! 

Birthday Celebration

We only have one birthday this month, and it is a half birthday!  We were so excited to celebrate this special boy today.  The students enjoyed "Grinch" and "snowflake" students.  This awesome student enjoys learning at school and shared that Star Wars is a favorite movie.  Happy half birthday!! 

First Reconciliation

The kids will likely say that we have been preparing for this monumental day F-O-R-E-V-E-R.  In the eyes of a child, two months is forever. :)  Their day finally arrived!

We created prayer flags as we examined our conscience in class.  Students wrote the things they wanted to share on the back of their flags, and colored the fronts.  After each student received the Sacrament, they placed their flag in a basket on the altar.  These flags were burned later.

God is truly awesome!  We are so blessed to have Sacrament opportunities.  A special thanks to all the parents, priests, and office staff for helping us make this day beautiful.  A shout out of thanks to our first grade parents!  The cookies were amazing, and delicious!

Thankful Rock

Waiting is hard, right?  It is also super tough to not "want" everything, especially this time of year.  Kids are bombarded by advertisements and excitement surrounding gifts.  Sometimes, it is hard to appreciate what you have, and have gratitude for all that is good.  

This week we read a book entitled, Being Thankful.  Little Critter struggles with appreciating what he has until he discover that farm animals are quite excited for scraps and anything they receive.  Each student received a thankful rock to help us remember to appreciate all that we already have.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ....

Advent season is here!  We created Advent wreaths, and have been busy working on a number of other art projects too.  Our first one involved a bit of repurposing.  My husband has been busy trimming trees, and cut some tree cookies for my class.  He also drilled a hole, and I strung cord through them.  I love combining nature and art!  Students had a chance to paint theirs with metallic acrylic paint and cotton swabs.  Cotton swabs are easy, and wonderful art resources!  Here are a couple of ornaments getting their paint on. 

Birthday X 2!

We were blessed with two birthdays on Monday!!  We enjoyed reindeer brownies and two show and tells.  We learned about a walkie talkie and a camera.  We were excited to celebrate the two special kiddos!  Happy 1/2 birthday!!!