Today was our Water Play Day.  We had two tables filled with water and toys, two tubs to sit in, two sprinklers, a bubble table, and a shaving cream table.  The children also enjoyed their frozen fruit popsicles.  We spent about an hour playing.  When it was time to clean up and change, one child said, “That was so much fun.”

Today was our Easter Egg hunt.  This is a picture of the children just before they looked for eggs.  We want to thank you very much for your donations of plastic filled eggs.  The children had more than enough eggs to feel successful on their hunt.  Some children even shared eggs with those children who had less in their baskets.   It was a fun and exciting time.

Today Aunty Ka’ai joined us for her play date.  She arrived this morning wearing her uniform.  She is a boat captain.  She shared pictures of some of the boats that she drives and facts and responsibilities of her profession.  The children seemed very captivated.   The teachers were very fascinated.  After that, she played with us in the back yard, played with us during free choice indoor time, ate lunch with us, and laid down with us for some of nap time.  The children really enjoyed having another Aunty to play with and talk too.  And the teachers enjoyed having another adult in the classroom too!!!!

We have been practicing writing the letters in our first names.  Each child has a small blue booklet of name writing practice sheets.  Each page has the child’s name in yellow text, the child’s name in trace text, and a space followed by a solid line across the bottom of the page.  First, the children trace the yellow text.  Second the children trace the trace text.  Last, the children try to copy the letters of their name in the space.  (It doesn’t need to be written on the solid line.)  We don’t force the children to write their names, but, we do make deliberate attempts to encourage them.  These booklets will go home this week.  You may keep the booklets at home and make additional copies of the sheets for your child to continue practicing at home.  By three years old, a child can usually recognize his/her first name in print.  By four years old, most children can spell their names. By five years old, a child should be able to write his/her first name in correct form (meaning the first letter is uppercase and the rest is lower case).

Bike Day #2.  Mahalo for bringing your child’s bicycle to school today.

This week, we harvested the kalo in the square garden box on our Waipao playground.  This morning, the children each had a turn pounding the cooked kalo with a stone poi pounder (pohaku ku’i ‘ai) on a wooden board (papa ku’i ‘ai).  Some children participated freely, while other children refused but were gently encouraged to at least feel the pohaku ku’i ‘ai.  Afterwards, each child was asked to use one finger and scoop a small sampling to feel and taste it.  Again, some children willing tried, while others were hesitant.   The most important thing was not the tasting of the finished product.  The main goal was to expose the children to this tradition of the Hawaiian people of old.

Today, we were invited to the Papa ‘Ohe class, our four-year old neighbors.  They put on a play entitled, The Carrot Seed, adapted from the book of the same name written by Ruth Krauss.  Afterwards they shared with us a snack that they helped make, carrot cake.

Today another teacher from another class shared her unusual looking chicken.  We got a chance to observe it up close, feel its feathers, and feed it chicken feed.  If you have any small safe animals (that can be kept in a cage) that your child would like to share, please let us know.  The children would love the experience.

Today, several children worked together with the Magna-Tiles.  The Magna-Tiles are one of the toys that have reminded a choice from the very first day of school.  The children never seem to get tired of them.  Magna-tiles combine math, science, and creativity.  At the beginning the year, the children were build flat creations.  In this stage (age 3), children stack blocks vertically, lay them down and line them up.  Slowly they started making 3-D shapes such as cubes and pyramids.  This stage (ages 3-4) is known as bridging.  It is the stage when children begin to make structures.  Today, their structures are larger, taller, and can fit a child inside of it.  This stage (age 4) involves making enclosures.  At this stage, children can close up a space between blocks with another block. Children do the most problem solving and planning at this stage.

Today we had our first play date date. The first thing in the morning, she shared a craft with each child.  After that, she played with us on the playground and during free choice time.  The children really enjoyed having another adult to play with and talk too.  If you are interested, you could also share a project, do an activity, play a game, share your career, read a book, or simply PLAY.  Aside from thrilling your child with your presence, you will gain insight into your child’s school life.  Plus, you will understand what it takes to keep sixteen lively children happy and challenged throughout the school day.  Please let us know if you’d like to schedule a date.