We're Going on a Lion Hunt!

We were wild about the zoo theme last week!  The students had fun painting lions using forks and making lion masks out of paper plates.  It was all roars and screams when we used our finished masks to go on a "lion hunt!"  You can click here to see more pictures of our lion hunt.

We learned about different animals and their sounds by singing "The Animals at The Zoo."  The students also enjoyed painting some colourful birds for our classroom zoo!  We will be hanging our lions and birds in the front entry way of the school for the Riverview open house.  Be sure to check them out later next week if you have the chance.   

There were several zoo centres set up during play time.  The students enjoyed being zoo keepers and using the zoo keeper checklist to ensure the zoo animals had plenty of food, water, a clean cage, and were healthy.  We even had a couple of pretend veterinarians in the room!  We also painted a snowy winter zoo and enjoyed a zoo scavenger hunt in the sensory bin!  You can click here to see more pictures of our zoo centres.

This week we have been reviewing the zones of regulation.  We sorted different emotions into the coloured zones - blue, green, yellow, or red.  We also discussed the tools of quietly counting to ten and deep "umbrella" breathing to help calm us down if we are in the yellow or red zone.  The green zone is where you should be when you are ready to learn!

Developing Body Awareness 

Throughout the year we have been singing the "Mat Man" song to help develop body awareness.  The Mat Man song sings about the of parts of Mat Man's body.  This week we developed our fine motor skills by participating in a guided drawing activity as we all drew Mat Man while we sang the song together.  

If you want to see Mat Man in action, you should ask your child if they will draw Mat Man for you!  You can click here to see more pictures of our drawings.  

In the Gym

I introduced the students to two new tag games this past week.  We certainly had some good cardio exercise and got our hearts beating!  We had fun playing bridge tag and peacock tag.  It was a great way to burn some of that pent up energy from being stuck inside.

Coming Up

The forecast next week looks marvellous!  I am looking forward to getting the kids outside to connect with nature and for some much needed fresh air.  Please be sure to dress your child for the weather - wearing snow pants or splash pants will be important for staying dry if the warm temperatures actually arrive!

We will take a break from the zoo next week for some St. Patrick's Day fun!

• March 27th - 31st - spring break - no school