I have noticed over the past few weeks that the Otters have hit their stride with self esteem and confidence. It has been a gradual shift but noticeable non the less . It is not a quick task to build children’s self esteem in the classroom but it is one of the most...
NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM
GRADES
Latest news from the Preschool classes
Happy Holidays!: The Culturally Aware Classroom
Dec 12, 2021 | Preschool
"We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" excitedly sang the students in the Pacific Northern Academy (PNA) Orca class. And yet, a little earlier, with just as much merriment, this same class was heard to belt out "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out...
Life is all about obstacles!
Dec 2, 2021 | 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Integrated Subjects, Kindergarten, Middle School, Preschool, Uncategorized
Who doesn't love a good obstacle course? Obstacles courses have been around for years, they are nothing new, but always exciting. The cool thing about them is that anything can be used to make one, but all good courses involve climbing, running, jumping and maybe even...
Pre-Writing in Preschool
Nov 22, 2021 | Preschool
The students in the Beluga Classroom have been doing more and more writing lately! I think there are three reasons this is so. First, preschoolers LOVE to copy one another (and yet often tattle loudly if they are being copied…but that’s a topic for another day)!...
Outdoor Play, Rain or Shine.
Nov 14, 2021 | Preschool
Outdoor play is an important part of childhood. It’s exciting to see children in their natural environment – exploring their surroundings, being curious about what’s around them, and finding joy in seeing new things. As a child, I always remember running around the...
Learning Through Play – Music
Nov 7, 2021 | 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Integrated Subjects, Preschool
One of the reasons why I am still teaching is that I am having still having fun. Teaching is a lot of work, don’t get me wrong, but if it was all work and no fun I probably would not still be a teacher. My goal is to make learning fun so it does not feel like work...
The Importance of Imaginative Play
Nov 7, 2021 | Preschool
"Watch out! The floor is lava!" How many of us have played this or similar games in our childhood? The month of October has given the Orca class a great opportunity to hone our imaginative skills. Having a healthy imagination is critical to a well-rounded childhood...
The Importance of Early Oral Language
Oct 31, 2021 | Preschool, Uncategorized
Among other things happening in the Beluga classroom this week, we have been exploring interesting adjectives. Autumn naturally lends itself to adjectives because there are so many things about it which appeal to our senses –the sight of the brilliant colors of...
Cozy Feelings in the Cozy Corner
Oct 17, 2021 | Preschool
Emotions are to our minds like nerves are to our bodies. They help inform us about our condition in the world around us and can teach us when things are safe or not safe. It is important to listen to emotions and not try to block them. However, emotions can be wild...
Fall Fun and Fine Motor Skills
Oct 9, 2021 | Preschool
We have been having so much fun in the Beluga class as we have been learning about fall! We began our study of leaves with a leaf hunt around the PNA playground. As we walked, we talked about the things we could notice with our senses: the sight of the different...