Bat Silhouettes

We did our unit on bats this past week. The students were eager to learn all about how bats can actually be helpful and not just scary. I wanted to do an art project with them but they are not really skilled yet at cutting out pieces so I decided to paint. I made the bat stencils, the students taped them where they wanted them on the paper and then used their fingers to make dots. We chose fall colors. Even though the project did not come out as I had imagined, I still really like the finished product!

 I love how even though we all used the same format, they still were able to be creative and have different projects.

Charlotte and Social Media

We just finished Charlotte's Web. My class this year is so full of heart. It was hard not to cry when I got to the end. One student even said "I'm going to miss Charlotte". Those are exactly the connections I want them to make with characters.

Anyway, this book was written almost 70 years ago. We talked about what might be different if it was written today. Maybe Charlotte would make a viral video instead of words in her web. The students wrote what her Facebook post might me.

Self-Portraits Made With Environmental Materials

Here in Texas is it hard to teach about Fall and the seasons. We basically have 2 seasons here. It's still over 90 degrees most days. :) 

We have been learning that in many places the leaves are beginning to fall off the trees. We took a walk outside to find some materials we could use to create self-portraits. I think some of the kiddos were really creative! 

All Are Welcome

We read this amazing story:

...and wrote about how we could welcome a new friend into our class.

Kids are naturals at making friends. I am in awe of them on the playground-just walking up to another child and saying "wanna play?". I wish it was that easy for adults. :) 

I have always believed that making relationships with your classroom community is of the utmost importance. This comes from routines and. In the morning we sing Rise and Shine by Dr. Jean and each child greets the next around the circle. We use names and we make eye contact. At the end of the day we sing Skinamarink a dink a dink to say goodbye.

I really think these structures help us develop a sense of community in our classroom and if we were to get a new student today they would be welcomed with open arms.