Summer Reading & Last Scholastic Order

Summer is the perfect time to encourage reading... Trips to the library, painting and coloring pictures of what they have read in books, "writing" in a journal, copying book titles or words etc.. all instill an early love and passion for reading.

With so many books going electronic I have to say that although I would hate to see the day when books are no longer published in hard copy ... e-books and books on tape can be fun too. Listening to someone else read with the accompaniment of music is really exciting to kids.
The library has quite a few books on tape. They allow the kids the independence to listen and "turn the page" on their own when they hear the chime.




Going to story time is also fun. The Sonoma County library has lots of fun summer reading programs for all ages. http://www.sonomalibrary.org They even have a program where older kids can go and read to a dog (less intimidating than a judgmental adult).  Borders on Santa Rosa Ave is also doing a fun summer reading program http://www.borders.com.


June is also the last month to buy Scholastic books for this school year. June book orders can be submitted through next week.

We have been blessed to receive so many orders this year that we have almost 1,000 bonus points to buy new materials for next year. Thank you to everyone who has ordered.

Congratulations Keene Family

Camelia is a big sister :) 

Kevin Ian Keene

Time for Wipes

It's that time again .... Please bring a packet or two of un-scented wipes.

Beautiful Butterflies

We let the three butterflies go this morning. We could only hold two of them and wait for them to fly away but most of the kids chose to participate. The one with the crumpled wing was left on a potted plant with freshly watered flowers.   .. here are a few pictures.

A Frog In Charlie's Shoe

Well, we all had a bit of a fright this morning when a frog jumped out of Charlies shoe as he was putting it on!

The last frog we found on the deck (a few weeks ago) was put back into a plant ... the kids were very disappointed and asked if we could "keep" this one. We were able to use a butterfly net and a bowl of water to make him a nice home. The kids named him "Jump". We will observe him until tomorrow afternoon, giving all of the kids a chance to see him before returning him to his natural habitat.

Wanted: Egg Cartons and egg shells

We will be beginning our exploration of seeds this week. The easiest and most environmentally friendly way we have found is to begin the seedlings in eggshells that can then be transplanted into the ground.

If you have some spare cardboard egg-cartons and egg shells we would really appreciate the donation. 

Easter Egg Potluck at the Park

A few reminder about tomorrow.....

It will be a regular morning for those scheduled to be here.

If you would like to walk with us please be here by 10:45 am.

The egg hunt will begin at 11 am in the baseball field at G Park ... baskets will be provided.

Siblings are welcome to attend but the egg hunt will only be for the little kids.

It should be fun ... don't forget your cameras :)

Last call for book orders

The deadline has been extended until tomorrow afternoon. Click on the picture to be taken to the Scholastic ordering page.

Class Activation Code: GLH9F

Signs of Spring: Birds

Along with warmer weather and flowers blooming, the return of birds to our bird feeder is a sure sign that Spring has sprung.

This years group is very interested in learning more about birds (their "correct names", facts etc..) and I am happy to oblige. Yesterday we talked about what they eat and how. The kids thought it was funny to not have teeth, swallow their food whole and let their gizzard do the work.

 

We made some games and activities for the kids to explore.

If your family has something bird related (books, binoculars, nest, eggs etc..) that you could bring in next week we would appreciate it. 

Although our focus is on backyard birds it's also fun to talk about and watch all kinds of feathered friends. If you have not already done so I encourage you to go to http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles  and watch the Decorah Eagles. Their 5' wide nest is perched 80 feet above a hatchery in Iowa. If you wait long enough you can catch the momma bird feeding her eaglets.  

The weather this weekend should be perfect for a bird walk. How many birds can your family see or hear? 

Looking Ahead

I can't believe it's April 1st of 2011! Typically this is the day that we send out written summer and fall enrollment requests. However, in an effort to cut down on needless paper waste, I am just going to ask everyone to please touch base regarding any an anticipated changes. This includes withdraw, changes to schedule(increase or decrease) and vacation schedules. We have a few families on a waiting list for the fall and would like to be able to tell them soon if they can plan on an opening or not.

Summer is from June 1st to August 26th and the new school year will begin Monday Aug 29th.  

We will be closed for summer break the week of June 20th.