That Which Shall Not Be Named...

Things change in First Grade.  Six year olds start noticing things that they didn't notice in kindergarten, such as what the children around them are doing, reading, writing, and learning.

In Kindergarten, children often parallel play.  They play next to children and do their own thing, rather than engaging in partner or group play.  

And as they approach the mid-year of First Grade the inevitable occurs.  And here's what it is.  

That which shall not be mentioned.  The experience that every First Grader longs for...

Chapter Books. 

                                                    

At first I begin reading them out loud to the whole crew,  as I am doing with Anna Hibiscus.

But now, some of the children are ready to read books like Frog and Toad,  Henry and Mudge, 

and Poppleton during Independent reading time.

Not all of us are ready for these books.  But some of us are.  I am SO SENSITIVE to all of my crew children's hearts.  So for now, I've asked the children who will be reading these books not to call them "chapter books". 

For now,  we will call them "longer books" until the day that we are all in what a First Grader thinks is a special club to belong to.  Those who are reading "chapter books".  

Crew Climbing / November 2012

Perseverance...
My heart soared when I heard that my crew showed this character trait while climbing this week. Each child challenged themselves to move to new heights. Personal growth.  Working together.  Cheering each other on.  How wonderful.

I was sad that meetings kept me out of the gym during our first climbing week, but thankfully Ms. Dana was able to be there to take pictures and be the cheerleader. (she is very good at this role!)  I will be there for them next time, but I was surely there in spirit.  I believe that my children can rise to the bar I have for them as learners, and I'm there to keep them from falling.

Halloween!

Ok. So if you do not know who Pete the Cat is, you will need to ask your children about this book character. We have read several books about this crazy cat.  Ms. Dana and I rocked Pete the Cat this year.  You can check out Pete at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YwCgtvnNg.

The children had such fun...parading through the classrooms, munching on healthy food, and checking out each others costumes.  They were so cute!
THANK YOU's go out to our amazing crew mom who set up the party and to all who contributed food or paper goods.