Recently, at Terra Luz (Krista)

This week, we began talking about our bodies.

I asked, "What is a body?"

Jalie: "Our bodies are ourselves."

Damon: "It's our skin."

Gwen: :"We need our bodies to live."

Allie: "Our bodies are really growing"

Mia Gleinser: "Our bodies are GREAT! My muscles are SO STRONG, I eat food to keep my body strong!!"

Corbin: "We have muscles and connective tissue in there."

I asked, "What is your favorite part of your body?"

Mia S: "These things that make my fingers bend (knuckles), but usually it's my skeleton."

Alaira: "My tongue because I use it to taste."

Natalie: "My skeleton."

Corbin: "My brain because I use it to think."

McKenna: "My mouth AND my hands!"

Allie: "My muscles and my teeth...my abuela can take her teeth out!!!"

Body Tracing:

I traced the children's bodies, cut them out and then offered the opportunity to add their features. I encouraged them to use the mirror as a reference. Everyone narrated as they drew, and most returned to the mirror repeatedly.

Corbin: "Oooh, I can draw in my brain!"

Natalie: "And stomach! Food goes down down down into the tummy and that's really a stomach!"

Alaira: "I want to draw the things that make my fingers bend...what are those?"

Anika: "I am drawing my fur and here are my teeth and here is more nail polish and here is my brain..."

Lucca: "These are my ribs in my body. They're pink"

Sophia: "I want to do this, I want to draw hair." (Mia G. helped her draw in her hair after a careful assessment)

Mia G: (Returning to the mirror repeatedly as she filled in her organs and features) "And HERE are my chongos (pigtails) and HERE are my eyes--they're blue and nice, and HERE are my toes...what are these called? Oh yes! toenails!"

Jalie: "It's important to get my cheeks just right or everything won't look right on my face"

Damon: "This is my mask and here is my skin and that's my foot."

Jason: (Observing himself in the mirror) "I've got black hair and black eyes."

Atticus; "Here is my body, right guys?"

Eddie, "This is MY body too, and LOOK! It's my hair...I got a hair cut, it's part of my body, too."

What does it sound like? (Krista)

This week, we took the first step in our paper making project: We tore paper.

Each day, the children spent some time tearing paper into small pieces. The goal was to fill a large plastic tub with shredded paper, and after a week of focused effort, the tub is filled to the brim.

We tore (recycled and re-used) construction paper, tissue paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, pages from magazines, and notebook paper.

Together, we noted the similarities and differences between types of paper. We paid particular attention to the sound of paper tearing. We took turns holding strips of paper close to one another's ear and, while our friend was listening, we practiced tearing the paper quickly and then, s-l-o-w-l-y.

I asked, "What does it sound like?"

Alaira: A pig snorting

Lucca: A hungry goat

Jalie: A fire crackling in the sky

Allie: A monster crashing on the floor

Damon: Like toilet paper

Mckenna: Like 'snap'

Corbin: Rocks rubbing together

Sophia: Like a scary noise

Natalie: Like yelling

Mia S: Like mowing the grass

Atticus: Like paper

Next week, we will mix the shredded paper with water and glue...

Conversation between Alaira and Corbin:

Corbin: Orca whales are really big.

Alaira: Yes, they might even be bigger than Ms. Krista!

story boards and a plan for next week (krista)

This week, we continued our work with story boards. Almost everyone has asked to dictate and illustrate a story....some friends have created 4 or 5 story boards.

Alaira has been particularly interested in the process and today, she decided that her story should have a title. She also chose to tell a story about two characters, instead of one central character.

Sophia and Alaira collaborated on a story board today, as well. It was important to the girls that both of their names were credited. I really enjoyed watching them work together in such a respectful way on this creative process.

The children now proudly refer to themselves as authors and illustrators ;).

Looking ahead:

We're going to make paper next week, with the goal of producing enough paper for each friend to make their own book. I've got a paper-making frame and some complicated directions for using it...does anyone have suggestions or a simple guide to making paper? I'm going to look around at crafty blogs this weekend, as well.

Overheard at the lunch table:

Allie: I just cover up my vegetables so I don't have to taste them.

Jalie: You can also try pinching your nose...that really works, too.

Happy Weekend, Happy Sunshine!

xo

Tell me a Story...Early Literacy (Krista)

This week, Andrea and Christine explored clay with small groups while I focused on literacy concepts with groups of children. Together, we explored the wonderful world of letters, sounds and words, with a particular focus on the letter ‘S’. First, I tapped into my Montessori roots and offered sandpaper letters, and a basket filled with different materials that start with ‘S’. We explored these materials on and off of the overhead projector.

I invited the children to make the "ssssss" sound, and to list words that start with ‘S’:

Here is their list:

Scuba diver Slippery

Squirrel Skip

Snake Sister
Slide Spider

Starfish Skirt
Sophia Stone
Stories Spoon
Splash Star pose
Snack Slipper
Sunflower Secret
Stone Sun Surprise

We also touched on the idea of action words. They totally got into this concept and we played a little game that went along with the words that they listed:

Stand Sit
Smell Smile

Spin Sneeze
Scoot

Finally, the children worked together to create ‘tag-team stories’ that centered around the items from the basket:

Day 1

Corbin began:

Once there was a shark.. He was eating fishes in the water with a fish in his mouth. He had s-s-s-strong, s-s-s-sharp teeth.

Allie continued:

Then he sawed a snake. The snake was really mean. He roared so loud and he was sad.

Mia G took over:

Then a little squirrel had a big tail and she went to her mother’s home and she had hot chocolate.

Allie:

And then the squirrel ated him all up and comeded out of his body and lived happily ever after!

Anika added:

Then a mean shark came over…

Corbin:

And the squirrel was chased by the shark and then a snake was here and the snake ate the shark.

Day 2

Mia G started:

One day a scubadiver went to the shore and rested on his pillow

Corbin added:

Then he went way down inside a stone and he couldn’t get out so he hit the door open

Allie continued:

And then the stone opened wide open

Anika finished the story:

Then the scubadiver fell asleep and then it was morning time.

Day 2:

Ava:

The starfish landed in the water and woke up and he then went outside and was floating in the water and he said, “where’s momma?” and then he said, "mommy I’m so happy to see you and then the starfish put on a dress and then he went to a wedding".

Day 2:

Jalie started:

A squirrel was walking alone the path and stopped and told his mommy, “I’m tired”.

Anika continued:

Then he walked and walked and walked and walked and fell asleep

Ava:

And woke up and realized there were a lot of nuts on the tree and grabbed them all and ate them all up.

Allie:

He…a bear comeded and it chased and went home and his dreams came true

Sophia:

Then he was tired and he had an owie and his mommy gave him m&ms and candy and a dvd

Mia G:

Then he went home and he said, “mommy, mommy, I missed you sososososososo much!”

Day 3:

Mia S:

A little spider craweled up a spider web

Allie:

Then he found them and they were just at his house playing hide-n-seek

Corbin:

Well, then his mommy went off to get some food

Jalie:

Then he walked up the path lonely and sad and then he felt happy again

Eddie:

And then the spider fell down and he hurt his legs

Lucca:

Are you okay Eddie?

Recently, at Terra Luz (Krista's Group)

Recent Comments:

Allie: "When is the 'offer' coming?

Me: " I'm not sure what you mean..."

Allie: "You know, the offer...the person who write the book..."

Me: "Oh, I think that you are asking about the author"

Allie: "No, I'm sure I'm talking about the offer."

Ava: "I had fun with my family this weekend!"

Natalie, pointing to one of the wooden Waldorf-inspired toys: "Oh look--a rainbow, how Marbleous!"

Scenes from Outside:

Corbin, (getting ready to race with Sophia), "I'm starting my engine, VROOM VROOM!"

Mia and Anika pretending to be cats as they crawled on their hands and knees across the patio, meowing and stopping periodically to do cat stretch pose.

All of the children, splishing and splashing in the puddles, tracing one another's feet with sidewalk chalk, forming conga lines and dancing to Music Together CDs.

Rainy Day Conversations:

Jalie, "The rain sounds like music--sometimes my mommy and daddy save a cup of rain for me to drink."

Me: "It's raining cats and dogs!'

This sparked a conversation about pet names. Here's what we now know:

• Corbin has two cats named Viscus and Barnaby (apparently, Barnaby likes to eat lotion)
• Jalie has a cat named Franny
• Anika has a cat named Paloo
• Mia has a dog named Niles
• Damon has a dog named Kona (and Bobie, the stuffed dog)
• Zaidan has a cat named Waffels
• Alaira has a dog named Sukie, and a cat named Sigh
• Ava has a cat named Bella ( she's black and white)

The Roly Poly's Odyssey:

Mia, Jalie, McKenna and Corbin followed the trail of a roly poly as it crossed the patio. The friends never touched the bug, just crawled behind him, watching carefully and narrating what they saw.

Mia G. said, "Oh he is so sweet and cute!"

Corbin said, "Maybe his name is McKenna!"

Scenes from the Sand Box

Jason and Mia collaborating on a sand village. Mia proclaiming, " I LOVE sitting next to Jason, he's sooooo awesome!"

Alaira ( the vegetarian) offering her friends a bowl of 'sand meat'.

Scenes from the Classroom:

Alaira and Anika cuddled up, looking at books in the book nook.

Mia G. lining up animals on a small rug. The rug had a bump in it and Mia said, "These animals want to climb the hill." She tried to balance them on the 'hill' to no avail, and finally said, "they'll just take the stairs."

Anika singing quietly to herself as she changed her baby doll at the changing table.

Corbin, Jalie, Jason, McKenna, Mia G., Natalie forming a spontaneous drum line through the nap room and the classroom

Lunchtime Conversation:

Alaira to Mia G.: "I love you!"

Mia: "Ms. Krista, Alaira LOVES ME, and I love you too."

Me: "Let's eat our good food so that we can grow big and strong."

Corbin: 'Food makes me tinkle and poo-poo."

Mia G.: "I drink a lot of prune juice and it makes me grow big like trees"

Anika: "I grow big like trees, too!"

All Aboard....Choo Choo! (Krista's Group)

The baby love is picking up steam! Ave brought Annabelle and Darla to school today. Anika introduced us to her baby, Lila, and Mia brought in her new born baby, as well. The emphasis was on feeding the babies, and there was some discussion about the best way to get the babies to drink their bottles. Tomorrow, I'll try to record some of the baby care dialogue.

Because we have expanded, it is necessary for us to be a bit more organized in the way that we transition through various parts of the day. We have been encouraging the children to form choo-choo train lines when they move between rooms. It's been fun introducing terms like, caboose, conductor and freight. Does anyone happen to have one of those wooden train whistles? We'd love to borrow one!

Creative expression was inside and out today. In the Atelier, the children blended watercolors on wet paper. Outside, they used large brushes and their hands to paint an abstract acrylic mural on a large piece of canvas.

Our yoga practice was centered around a rainbow meditation. We also rain danced our fingers over our bodies and practiced sunshine breathing (aka: breath of fire).

Restorative Yoga for Terra Luz Families

Hello! Thanks so much for your interest in Restorative Yoga classes--Andrea and I are both excited to offer these classes for Terra Luz families.

Our first Restorative Yoga 4-week session will be offered on Tuesday afternoons in September. Even if your child doesn't attend school on Tuesdays, you are welcome to attend class! We have room for 6 mommies/daddies. We're asking that you commit to the 4-week session and reserve your spot by paying in advance.

I promise that you'll emerge from class relaxed, centered and deeply stretched...and your children will be extra-happy after spending an hour playing with the wonderful KellyAnn!

What: Restorative Yoga 4-Week Session @ Terra Luz

When: Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22, 29

Time: 3:30P-4:30P

Total Investment: $12 x 4 =$60.00 * this price includes childcare for 1 child, please add $3/class for each sibling receiving childcare

We want to accommodate everyone's scheduling needs, and so, if necessary, we will switch the class day to Wednesdays for the month of October.

Restorative Yoga for Mommies! [A Note from Krista]

Yes! Mommies need (and deserve) yoga too! We would like to see if there is any interest from the mommies in receiving some self-care with Restorative Yoga sessions with Krista. The sessions will be held here at Terra Luz in the large room upstairs which will provide a zen-like environment, while the children have free play outside with Kellyann for that hour. We are looking at having the session one day a week here after school, from approximately 3:40-4:40. And the cost will be less than classess offered at yoga studios. Krista has been working with me and all I can say is, wow. I had no idea what I was missing. I've always been very good about self care, I take my daily 15 minutes of sitting in silence, but I wasn't doing anything with my body. I look forward to getting put into more poses. ;)

Below is a note from Krista.

::

I envision spending an hour together each week where we will practice gentle yin yoga, incorporating restorative poses and ending with a period of deep relaxation (savasana). I would also like to weave in buddhist meditation practices, mantras, as well as some study of the 7 chakras…By giving yourself the gift of a regular yoga practice, you will:

• Strengthen your back
• Strengthen abdominal and pelivc floor muscles

• Release tension in shoulders and neck muscles 

• Improve posture 

• Decrease overall stress and promote relaxation
• Rejuvenate your mind and increase energy 

• Relax more deeply than you thought possible 

• Fit meditation into a busy life 

• Free up your energy for more vitality and creativity
• Discover practices that you absolutely love and want to do 

• Let whatever is going on in your body, mind, and heart lead you deeper into your core 

• Experience more balance, clarity, and alertness
• Experience profound release of tension 

• Honor your instincts and inner authority 


• Get in touch with your body's natural rhythms and emerge nourished, revitalized, and joyful. 

• Gain a refreshing, rejuvenating rest that is deeper than sleep.
• Relieve stress for optimal mental and physical health.
• Rest in your inner silence and hear your true voice

::

Please let us know if you're interested and we will get out the details.

Yoga! Yoga! We all scream for Yoga!

Oh.My.Goodness.

I cannot get over how FUN Yoga with Ms. Krista was!! Today was her first visit to the casa and she has such an AMAZING and gentle way with children and they were SUPER excited about our new weekly visitor. Lulu even brought a leotard and was hard pressed on changing into it before yoga started. SO CUTE. We gathered in the front piano room for space and had this wonderful warm morning light fill the room. I will filled with happiness watching how excited and happy the children were.

I didn't shoot as many pics as I wanted with everything going on, but here's a nice sampling.



Butterfly Wings










Cobra - Like a Snake




Happy Baby Pose




Triangle Pose


Downward Doggie Pose (doggies going pee pee) LOL!


Final Savasanah - Rest Pose






Namaste~