KP

I posted KC koto, here is KP’s!

Koto on PhotoPeach

The children had a Koto session with Dr Amato, as  part of our Japanese culture curriculum and our Unit of inquiry, “How We Express Ourselves”.  Dr Amato is the head of the International Centre for Japanese Culture. The children were enthusiastic, yet respectful, as they worked with Dr Amato.

Koto by Yuri Air

The children had the opportunity to watch a performance by a clown and mime artist. This was yet another wonderful opportunity to explore how people express their ideas and feelings. The children were enthralled by his abilities. They were so amused by the clown’s funny manner that some of the children were wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.

Thank you to Ms Yuri foe making this great video.

The morning started with a flower being presented to Yuri and I. As children came to school  the class was soon filled with three beautiful bouquets. The children, teachers and parents delighted in the colours and varieties of the flowers. This beautiful gesture seemed to capture the essence of our wonderful school.

We are a group of diverse individuals who come together to make something new and beautiful.

Sincere thanks for the lovely cards and gifts.

Most of all thank you for the gift of this school year.

Thank you PTSA, parents and children.

Our sleepover began with a Skype call with Frederique. When she left our class to return to the Netherlands her parents told her she could join the sleepover on Skype. The children have been sending tweets back and forth and had much to discuss. The reconnection  over Skype was instantaneous and I was surprised that some of the quieter members of the class wanted to engage in conversations with Frederique. The children were excited to discuss their birthdays and the lose of their teeth. Some children went over to the projector screen and reached out to touch Frederique’s face. This was a wonderful moment, a reconnection that would not have been possible without technology.

Our author for this month is Mo Willems. Mo Willems is an American author who has won several awards for his books. The children were debating with Mo was a male or female author.

Willems’ pigeon books have simple illustrations and text and tell a story through speech and thought bubbles. Many of the children have been making books in the style of Mo Willems’ pigeon books. There has been a noticeable increase in the children’s use of speech and thought bubbles in their writing sessions since we began reading these books.

The Knufflebunny series are favorites with the children as they can make connections between their own lives and the characters and events in the stories. The illustrations are a combination of photographs and hand drawn illustrations which has generated much discussion.

Click here for a link to the Mo Willems website.

Thank you for this post Tasha Cowdy. I have modified it a little.

Sincere thanks to all the parents who organised  and ran this event.The session focused on observing and manipulating materials. This is the central idea of our unit of inquiry. The children certainly noted that people manipulate food to suit their own purposes.

The children

• Turned a solid to a liquid by melting chocolate and juicing oranges.
• Turned a liquid to a solid by making pancakes.
• Turned a solid into a liquid and then a gas by putting baking soda and vinegar together.

Changing states of materials

The children performed a song in Japanese and Korean at our weekly assembly. KP and KC took turns accompanying the singing with percussion instruments.  This was a truly collaborative effort, several parents helped the children learn the songs in music class, to ensure the correct pronunciation. Ms Bridgewater helped the children keep time as children played their xylophones. We are very grateful for their time.

It was a delight to see the children rise to the occasion of the performance, standing on the stage as true performers, singing clearly and trying to keep time with Ms Bridgewater. Ray and Sofie decided they would announce the songs and  all the children helped by writing the lines for them.

Thank you to Ms Yuri for these wonderful videoes.

After the weekend I asked the children to reflect on the sleepover. They didn’t feel the need to change anything. One child felt the time in the park was too long and made them tired.

Hana: I liked the Pink Panther movie. I liked the flashlight because in the dark we said BOO! and it was very funny. We should make more time with the talking about what shall we will play in the park.

Julie: The Pink Panther was funny. When we brushed our teeth there were only two persons and no one at the baby tape. Why don’t we take two hours in the park not three.

Su Won: The Pink Panther was so long. The flashlight we can see outside very well.I don’t need flashlight it still sunny, light. The park because after Zach and me look at Oskar, Allen and Ray chasing. Allen and Feng was I like it.

Allen: In the morning I had iPad because I woke up so early because I don’t like sleep, it was so hot to sleep.

Feng: The popcorn was so yummy, I haven’t eaten the popcorns. I eat it all up.

Alex: We could runaround outside and play in the dark.

Ray: When Su Won woke up in the morning he shouted and Allen, Oskar and me laughed.

Naoimh: I liked playing around in the dark.

Jiwon: I like go to dark. sandwiches.

Oskar: Running in the dark because it was funny.

Shoma: Flashlight because fun.

Aiden: Pink Panther was so funny. I liked watching Charlie and Lola.

Eren: Pink Panda

Zach: Playing flashlight in the nighttime.

Sofie: I like Pink Panda it was so funny when the people came running so fast. We need to run in the park not just staying still.

So it seems the only things you need for a successful sleepover are a Pink Panther cartoon, a torch, some food and the company of friends.

Thank you to Tasha for the following words which convey my sentiments exactly.

As happens so often, I am inspired by the independence and initiative of these five and six year olds as they manage their belongings and take responsibility for their needs. And I am humbled by the empathy and compassion with which the children treat each other and the way they comfort and care for one another. The sleepover has been a bonding experience for the children and an important part of their personal and group learning journey through Kindergarten.

The Park by Yuri Airs

The children loved this extended time in the park and really enjoyed their homemade sandwiches. Ham, cheese and blueberry jam was an innovative choose and proved a popular combination. The carrots, grapes, tomatoes and apples were eaten fast. The watermelon was a lovely treat when we returned to school.

When night fell the children pointed to the moon and said, “Look it’s dark, it really is sleepover”. The pizza was due to arrive at 7pm and the children kept a close eye on the time. Naoimh and Aiden were the pizza guards and stood by the gate waiting for the delivery. The rest of the adventure is documented below.