What are you thankful for?
Dear BFS Families,
There is no way to deny this year feels different. With the absence of large family gatherings around the table and various forms of holiday travel, we are still getting into the Thanksgiving spirit. The classrooms at BFS are still getting things cooking in celebration! As we prepare for our short break the classrooms are making the best of our ever-improving holiday spirit. While we are used to having a holiday potluck and inviting all the families to join us at this time, we are putting on our chefs hats and getting in the kitchen anyway. Classes have made some delicious treats leading up to Thanksgiving.
Walking through the school you could noticeably smell some of the delicious dishes wafting through the halls. One class making macaroni and cheese with apple crisp and following that with an afternoon snack accompanied by hot chocolate (yum!). Other classes making sweet potatoes and corn, pasta with pumpkins seeds and feasting on mashed potatoes, rolls and chicken with gravy. No, the students aren't master chefs, the teachers had to use a few shortcuts :)
Cooking and Giving Thanks
Taking the time to cook with the students is an excellent learning experience. Cooking encompasses all the senses (although we aren't doing any tasting while cooking). Students begin to learn math concepts through measurements. We study science by noticing the effects of mixing certain ingredients together, and language and literacy as we read recipes and different stories around foods.
As each class discusses their Thanksgiving treats they’ve also discussed what they are thankful for. It may seem that students are too young to understand that, but they are not. Our students are realizing we have so much to be thankful for this season. We are thankful for our families, pets, friends and teachers. We are also thankful for everyone at BFS that continues to show support and demonstrate the real meaning of community.
Learning
The school becomes more and more vibrant each day. We have hit our stride as a community and we are enjoying every experience both in the classroom and outside. Learning happens everywhere, and we have been learning nonstop. The teachers are creating incredible explorations for the students while engaging in person, organizing outdoor experiences, and creating meaningful interactions. There is so much to see all around us. Each class has taken something different from their experiences outdoors and incorporated it into their classrooms.
Jitterbug’s color exploration is centered around food right now, and thanksgiving is such a great time to explore the different colors we typically see in our holiday feast. Green vegetables, yellow corn and/or white mashed potatoes, what colors will cover your table?
The Dragonfly’s are exploring why all the little animals in the park seem to have gone away. This question has led to many conversations about seasons changing and why squirrels search for and save acorns. What happens to animals in the winter?
Sunshine saw a fire truck outside and has not been able to think about anything else. They’ve taken it into the classroom and created their own fire station. They have been putting out fires all over the room, driving their cardboard fire truck that they built and painted.
In previous weeks, while Rainbow has been exploring the in park they noticed a “giant puddle”, on their most recent walks they have noticed that the puddle is shrinking. This sparked a lot of interest, what does that mean? How does it happen?
We encourage everyone to feel a little bit of that warm and captivating BFS joy this holiday season, and we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Nadeja Ross