December 2022 News

Weekly report by Janine Buser

’Tis beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Boots & Roots, that is if your idea of Christmas includes muddy boots and rainy days.

Over the next two weeks, some Christmas celebrations are being woven into our Sleep unit.  Most days we’ll be working a little bit on a Christmas memento.  We’re singing Christmas carols with bells in the woods - whether to mark syllables or simply have a joyful chorus.  We’re also diving a bit deeper with the main figures of the Christmas story. Yesterday, we noted that the angel, God’s messenger, often repeated two four-word sentences:  Do not be afraid.  God is with you.  (Mrs. Buser’s paraphrase.). That is His message to each of us today as well as to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds.  Today, we learned that when God asked Mary to do a hard job, she said “Yes, I will be your servant,” even though she didn’t know all of the details.  Can we say “Yes, I will be your servant” when God asks us to do hard things?

Our Sleep stories this week included Night Animals, Daylight, Starlight Wildlife, and A Book of Sleep.  Through these books, a sorting activity and gross motor games, we’re learning which of our woodland friends are most active at night, during the day, or at sunrise/sunset, or as we say, nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular. 

As we read our phonics series, we’re learning to sing the alphabet backwards and with the letters’ phonetic sounds, using short vowels. Have fun building their working memory by practicing at home.  Use a visual guide and remember to sing the “L, M, N, O, P” section slowly!  At this age, some are still mastering a few of those last-to-come-in sounds. We practice by touching (with relatively clean hands) the part of our mouth where the tongue should start for a physical cue, finding that position, and practicing with a mirror.  Everyone joins as we playfully say, “l-l-l-l-l-l-love!”

We often return to a collection of poetry, A Look Outside Your Window. We’ve observed that rhymes often occur at the end of a phrase and delight in creating our own.   I’ll start a phrase, “The snack cup is red, but do not take it to…” and someone will fill in the missing word.

Today we enjoyed our own tea party as we read Tea Party in the Woods - thank you for agreeing to this treat!  I am in awe of their comfort in nature.  Besides not batting an eye while sitting through a drizzle under the cover of a magnolia tree for our morning lessons, they love to explore and engage.  On Tuesday, during sit spot time, when I asked for their observations, one commented, “I wonder why that tree trunk is dark at the bottom,” and then started a brainstorming session to consider the reason.  Another piped up, “I noticed that there used to be a tree house here.”  Hmm, why did it fall apart?  On Wednesday, we practiced fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination by hammering tees into a favorite log as well as sewing snack garlands for our woodland friends.  Did anyone happen to sew a pattern?  Could you sew a pattern?  Having no desire to go home with the extra food, I suggested they scatter it in the woods.  Off they went, joyfully creating a scavenger hunt.  I know one B&R dad creates very in-depth hunts for his son and the lad intently replicated the fun for our campus critters.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen green beans snuggled into tree bark before!  Others looped Cheerios on twigs or hid bread cubes in and around fallen logs.  What fun to notice today that almost everything was devoured!

They are learning to work with limited resources.  I only had five hammers for the seven children.  We take turns and find nature items that can be substituted.  When we painted our gift bags, I had the bags and the paint.  Yes, one pointed out that paint brushes were in a box in the back of the pod, but I just said that we didn’t need to use them.  Not a problem with this gang.  “I’ll use a stick.”  “I like to paint with my fingers.”  “Mrs. Buser, can I use your tape to make a paint brush from a stick and leaf?”  See the joy on their faces for finding their own creative solutions and the beautiful, unique art work.  

Your children are also learning to assess risks.  I overheard a conversation among them about whether to play Gaga ball after snack. There was a question of whether they would slip in the mud and one noted that he would only watch if there were too many big kids playing. How wonderful that they are learning to think before acting and how to make calculated decisions!

They are also learning patience and delayed gratification.  Of course, they want to take home their creations and they usually can.  Today was step one in a four-part process to make a Christmas gift that they will bring home next Thursday.  We measured, followed directions, and had creative fun.  If they don’t choose to share the surprise, I won’t reveal it here.  You can be patient for a week as well!