Red Balloon Co-op School Weekly Newsletter February 24-25 2009

Thanks ahead of time to everyone volunteering this week while Krista is gone! Also, thanks Krisztina, for setting up the Google calendar on the blog.

Last Week
What a busy week at Red Balloon! Audrey continued reading aloud The Hat by Jan Brett, and the group investigated pinecones (which feel similar to the main character of the book--a hedgehog.) In the animal theme, the group tried out a large animal floor puzzle and rocked animals in a boat to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. They continued trying out Duck Duck Goose and The Hokey Pokey. They’ve been using Abe’s upstairs playroom as the “Sharing and Caring Room”. It’s been defined that way---before anyone enters the room they stop and confirm that they’ll share and care (this techinique has been really successful!) In the playroom they’ve been using lots of stuffed animals for play and have enjoyed putting the animals in a boat. There’s an inflatable globe ball up there and Audrey’s been putting it on her head and singing, “I’ve Got the Whole World, On My Head…” Another song being sung is “If I had a Hammer.” They’ve been experimenting with a moment of resting while Audrey sings “Are You Sleeping, Brother John.” using each child’s name in the song.

This Week
Krista will be away on a trip to Iceland this week. Audrey is planning to write a letter to Krista each morning during the morning circle and then she’ll read aloud a letter from Krista at the closing circle each day. There will be fantastic guest teachers during each day—Krisztina will lead a music and a dance activity, Emily and Ben will sing and play instruments and Alise is leading an art project using Sculpy clay for modeling. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the Red Balloon talent out in full force!

This week’s Volunteer Schedule
TUESDAY

9:15-10:00 – HELLO-CIRCLE/ACTIVITY – TED

10:00-10:45 – SNACK/ACTIVITY – KRISZTINA (music/dance activity)

10:45-11:15/30 – OUTDOOR TIME – APRIL/AMANDA

11:30-12:00 – LUNCH & GOODBYE – AMANDA (book activity)

WEDNESDAY
9:15-9:30 – HELLO CIRCLE etc. – EMILY

9:30-10:15 – MUSIC – EMILY & BEN

10:15-10:45/11 – SNACK & ART ACTIVITY – ALISE (Sculpy)

11:00-11:30 – OUTDOOR TIME – DEEPA

11:30-12:00 – LUNCH & GOODBYE – ALI

Upcoming Weeks
Next week (the first week in March) we’ll be back at our house, 540 Prospect Ave #2. We will be continuing with some themes—getting the pinecones back out to make “soynut butter birdfeeders,” possibly hatching butterflies or ladybugs, looking at Krista’s photos from Iceland and lots more!

Things to Bring/Supplies
If we’ve used your extra diaper or clothes, please send a new ziplock baggie with a spare diaper and change of clothes. Please send your child with a drip-proof water cup labeled with his/her name. Label shoes (name on a piece of tape inside works), coat/sweaters and any other clothes they'll be taking on or off.