Mondays in the Forest

Today, we sketched the flowering Magnolia tree as we prepare to enquire about "change" for the rest of the school year.  Then, we went to the forest for open play, and they definitely played.  Some of the children found a broken birdhouse in the forest, and we'll be talking about how to fix it during this week.  They are talking about hammers, nails, glue, and tape...we'll see how it unfolds.

Back to School

Returning to the classroom after three weeks away is a strange feeling.  Especially when, during the third week, everyone else was there, and you were the only one gone.  I'm constructing a to do list for the week right now involving our inquiry, the classroom environment, and planning, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  But in 30 minutes, when the children come through the door, I think things will fall back into place.


Do you ever feel in a rut?  Even the very best teachers must.  What is challenging you this week?

Just a little absence apology - I am in the states for an extra week, thanks to the volcanic ash. Writing anything but my final paper for grad school just isn't working right now.

I'm away from my students for a week, and it is strange for me to think about school happening without me there! I'm really looking forward to next week. If all goes well, we'll be in Brussels on Saturday morning.

And if there is something that I can send you to think about, it would be this: NAEYC’s National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development is in Phoenix from June 6th to 9th.  I'll admit that I looked up flight prices from Brussels, and they weren't too bad...very tempting!  I'm not sure I want to cross the ocean again for a while, though!

East Coast Preschools

This may be a strange post, but I am looking for some schools to visit.  It is so exciting to be in the states, where I can drop into schools and classrooms and talk to other teachers - my lack of fluency in French makes for awkward, choppy conversations in Brussels.

Anyway, I'll be on the east coast next week, in Connecticut with a side trip to Ithaca, New York.  I think  may have some time to drop by a school and peek around, but I'm not too familiar with schools on the east coast.  So, if anyone out there has a suggestion, I'm happy to hear it!  Don't be shy!

Drawing on Mirrors

I don't know why this didn't occur to me before.  I like having the children do activities that are temporary rather than permanent sometimes, and this is similar to work on a chalkboard.

I'm off to the states this weekend for spring break, so my posts will be sporadic, if there even are any!  Happy April to everyone.