The classroom was buzzing with energy and excitement in anticipation of the upcoming holidays and winter break!

Guitar accompaniment for Let It Snow
Guitar accompaniment for Let It Snow

The children have been diligently practicing and preparing for the winter performance.  Kelly will be accompanying the students on the guitar for our child friendly version of “Let it Snow,” so she joined us for practice time on Wednesday . We are all looking forward to entertaining our families and friends Friday evening!

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Dancing to The Nutcracker music
Dancing to The Nutcracker music

We read a lovely version of The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers and danced to several of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker compositions, including the battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Spanish Chocolate Dance.

bring me 9
bring me 9
locks and playdough
locks and play dough
stone soup game
stone soup game
farm animals in Spanish with movable alphabet
farm animals in Spanish with movable alphabet
ten board
ten board
triangles
triangles
working hard on her map of Africa
working hard on her map of Africa
blocks and farm
blocks and farm
chains
chains
golden bead work
golden bead work
hundred board
hundred board
pattern blocks
pattern blocks
pictures for mom and dad
pictures for mom and dad
Puff the Magic Dragon Puzzle
Puff the Magic Dragon Puzzle
star ornament
star ornament

We were very busy at the art table this week!  Each student made a star ornament to take home for their tree.  Thanks to some wonderful donations, the class had a fabulous time creating the most lovely holiday centerpieces.  The children spent quite a bit of time perfecting them, returning to add and adjust throughout the week. They are anxious to bring them home after the performance on Friday.  We also completed the holiday cards for the elderly, which were given to the residents of Ice Pond Village near the elementary school.

centerpiece construction
centerpiece construction
art
art
winter centerpieces
winter centerpieces
snowmen
snowmen
more centerpieces
more centerpieces
stencils
stencils
Recording Science
Recording Science

Friday students did a freezing experiment.  They measured out ¼ cup each of water, oil, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and mouth wash to see when each one would freeze.  They observed that the water and dish soap froze first, then the mouthwash and oil, but the rubbing alcohol did not freeze at all!

What will freeze first?
What will freeze first?
checking our experiment
checking our experiment
Birthday kids enjoying their cupcakes!
Birthday kids enjoying their cupcakes!

On Friday we also celebrated two five year-old birthdays!  After the birthday girl and boy took their turns walking the globe around the candle sun, and being serenaded with the birthday song in both English and Spanish, we enjoyed some cute piggy and Thomas the Tank Engine cupcakes.