Class One Cosy Cubby

Ata mārie whānau! Lady Spring is here ⚘ spring flowers everywhere, birds are chirping, leaves are beginning to grow on trees, blossoms are blooming (and falling like snow in the wind). Yesterday I promised you would hear more of Lady Spring today. Below is a delightful story you may like to share with your children today. It had been a long and cold winter.  Lady Spring was snuggled soundly in her warm bed.  One morning the rays of the sun shone in her window and tickled her on the nose, singing, “ Wake up, Lady Spring! Wake up Lady  Spring! “   Lady Spring arose from her bed and put on her cloak, which was woven with the colors of the flowers.  And she slipped on her shoes, which were woven with the colors of the earth.  Then she opened her door and stepped outside.  Tiny white snowdrop flowers sprung up in her footprints as she walked.  But it wasn’t long before a cold wind began to blow and Lady Spring became chilled.  She hurried back to ...

 A Handkerchief for Little Possum Susan Perrow © 2020 http://susanperrow.com/stories A rhyming story for children in this C-19 pandemic who are overly anxious about ‘germs’ and getting ill. (please do not share this with children who are too young to even know about this situation) The story is in columns - the first column needs to be read on both pages before moving to the second column.  Link to story, click here image from -  https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/315111305163658707/

The Little Gnome Who Had to Stay Home By Susan Perrow - March 2020 This story was written for use with young children (suggested ages 3-7 years) who are required to stay home during the current C-19 pandemic, or who have had their freedom severely modified (e.g. perhaps they can attend school but can’t attend special assemblies, festivals, parties or events). The song at the end has been left open for teachers and parents to create more verses with ideas from the children. The story can be changed/edited to suit different situations – e.g. mother tree could be father tree or grandmother or grandfather tree, or you may want to omit the part about ‘gnome school’. The main character could also be changed (e.g. instead of using a gnome the story could be about a mouse stuck in his little house, or a bird that must stay and rest in the nest).  Link to story - Please click Image from -  https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/346003183853654583/

 Kia ora koutou, the last day of winter is upon us. We haven't had any visits from Jack Frost recently, perhaps he has run away in search of another winterland. Lady Spring's presence is in the air and in the gardens, we will hear more about Lady Spring tomorrow.  This morning I overheard Dotty and Atticus chatting away, Atticus was asking his older sister if it was still Covid. Dotty told him that she thought it was, they then went on to say that it felt like the longest day ever and felt like it was never going to end. They're pretty good wee mates, which is lucky, they are missing their friends dearly and I can't imagine how much more they would be feeling it if they didn't have each other.  Yesterday a parent told me that her child had a video call playdate with a classmate, we are so lucky that we live in an age where these options are available to us. Last week another parent told me of her child climbing a ladder daily to chat to the neighbour children. Remem...

 

K onnichi wa, ahoj, hallo, namaste, ciao, hola, n ǐ hǎo, privet, ata mārie, bula vinaka! I hope you all had a relaxing weekend and were able to take some time off working from home or studying, or teaching children. I take my hat off to those of you with older children as the learning is a bit more demanding. I also take my hat off to those of you that have essential worker parents leaving the house, or with both parents trying to work from home and the juggle of fitting in everyone's needs. Yesterday Steven added an update about what learning in level 3 looks like. For most of us it will remain the same as level 4. I will be working from home and added to our blog and communicating with you via email to answer any questions you have or give feedback on the incredible work you've been doing. If we have anyone who is an essential worker and needs to send their children to school in level 3, please send Steven an email today as he needs to know numbers for adequate staffing. Here...

 Clever Neva and her mum have recorded a video showing us how to make beads out of fimo. Neva wanted me to share it with you.  Thanks for sharing Neva!

 Kia ora koutou, hello everyone, kei te pēhea koe? How are you feeling? Kei te ngenge au, I am feeling sleepy today. What a contrast we have in the weather today, grey skies, rain and cooler temperatures make me feel like having a slow day and hibernating. I think we will get a lot of beaded bracelets made today, maybe some knitting, drawing, playing with blocks and making marble tracks.  Fridays have a slower pace at school too, the end of the week brings tired children into the classroom. We start Friday mornings with blocks, books and treasures to explore, with lots of social interactions and community building with sharing materials and spaces.  This morning as I work I can hear Ash and the kids making robots out of duplo, how fun! Literacy Draw something you have enjoyed doing this week, maybe it was going for a walk with your family, maybe you've done some baking, perhaps an obstacle course, or playing with buttons, you may have played darts or chess, maybe you've m...

 Ata mārie/ ahi ahi mārie / pō mārie koutou depending on what time of the day you may be reading this. We are reaching the point in our whare where we are getting a bit scratchy with each other. Being together all the time can take its toll. Yesterday after a tricky day full of big emotions from little people I made sure to take some time on my yoga mat to relax and be all by myself. What's your favourite form of self care and how can you take the time to make sure your needs are being met too?  It wasn't all bad yesterday, the scavenger hunt was a big hit! Another activity that was a hit recently was bird watching, we lay down with a sketch pad and had to stay very still and quiet. We saw so many birds come and eat the crusts on the lawn, I drew the birds while the kids were on bird watch. We also have a bunch of beads and Dotty has loved making bracelets for her friends, I like making them too!  Today while I write this Atticus is helping Ash make some ginger crunch and...

 Ata mārie koutou Another stunning day is forecast for today, with rain due at the end of the week I am going to make sure we get outside as much as possible today. While I type this up Ash, Dotty and Bobby are making pizza dough for a pizza night tonight. Dotty has been making lots of cards for her friends, she is missing all her wee kindergarten mates. I'm sure your children are all missing their Class One buddies too, maybe they could make some cards and you can send photos to each other? It is nice to connect. Remember, we have our contact list with everyone's email addresses so you can find each other. I took the children to visit our cat and get some tshirts and shorts yesterday, Bobby loves the reno site. It's been really nice hearing from some more of you, sounds like you are all doing really well, having fun and finding natural occurring learning at your homes which is so perfect! Remember, this blog is only ideas and a way of staying in touch, I have no expectatio...

Ata mārie team Wow, yesterday got so warm! We are in lockdown at my mum's place as our bathroom is mid - renovations and has no toilet, shower, bath or, well, anything! The plumbers were due to come hook up the water last Wednesday and clearly that couldn't happen so we are here for sliiiiiightly longer than my initial plan of a week or two while our house isn't fit for a family to live in. Luckily mum is enjoying the company, so far! When I packed our bags to come here I didn't plan for a lockdown, or warm weather so the heat took us a bit by surprise, we rolled up our pant legs, the kids ran around in singlets and played with water outside to keep cool.  It was lovely to hear from some of you yesterday, I love hearing about your adventures and seeing your faces and what you have been creating. One of the people I heard from was Leo, he has been busy making things with an incredible collection of buttons. Here is a maze he made, he wanted me to guess how many buttons t...