A Busy Week in February

The Birthday Boy deep in thought during math. 

It's Almost Friday ...  

We Have Been Busy!

Reminders:
Friday, February 17th Usborne Reading Challenge Packets are DUE. (Remember, your child has been reading at least 30 minutes per day at school. Did you include that in his or her total?) Also, Library Day!

Monday, February 20th - No School in Honor of President's Day. Your trusty teacher will be hard at work with teachers and staff creating the best learning community for your family.

Friday, February 24th - Author's Coco from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Racerunners can't wait to share their Cinquain, Quatrain, and Color Poems with you and their friends.

Thursday, March 8th - Our Community and Beyond Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Plan to attend this great event where your child, a Prairie Racerunner, will be presenting about generations Past, Present and in the Future! The Wolves, Owls and Cottontails also will be presenting as we send the Wolf Pack off to the State History Fair!

Using a hand lens to observe pebbles.

Geologists at Work
Friends have been working very hard this week to separate, sift and identify a variety of earth materials including tuff, scoria, basalt, pebbles, gravel and sand. These hands on explorations allow friends to observe and discuss color, texture, and size. Next week we will experiment with water and clay to learn more about silt!













Secret Valentine Reveal

Check out this cool Valentine Gift - A Cape!

This was a huge success. Imagine an entire room full of teachers, staff, and friends K-6 readily waiting with the perfect gift for their "Secret Valentine." The 50 minute reveal was complete with squeals of "Cool!" and "It was YOU all along? I had no idea" or "I knew it had to be you!" What a beautiful lesson in anticipation, and thinking of another when choosing gifts, creating clues and making tokens with love.

Valentine's Day - Its Aftermath
On Wednesday WE WERE TIRED. Friends were exhausted from their 5 Day Secret Valentine Game and from all of the excitement surrounding this special February Holiday. Although Muriel had even more reason to be put off - especially after trying her Harry Potter Jelly Beans found in her Valentine Gifts. This morning in Daily News she described the horrid flavors: rotten egg, soap and ear wax! Her report had me wondering, "is this Valentine's Day or Halloween?" The jelly beans must have been true to their name as Muriel described her Mom's reaction to a family taste test.

Waiting to reveal your gift is the hardest part!

You're Awesome!
Thank-you again, families, for sending friends in with so much love and affection each day. It's as though every day is Valentine's Day at Willowwind! However, your great support of our traditions and curriculum expectations this month has been greatly appreciated. I love your children and feel very fortunate to learn alongside of them each day.

I love this moment.
 A math test in the warm February sun - under the easel.