Tuck the Turtle

This past weekend we went fishing with my dad and just as I was about to cast off with my grandpa’s fishing pole, this little turtle swam up to me and I plucked him out of the water (don’t tell anyone though). I brought him in for a visit and the kids just fell in love. They’ve been mesmerized. We built a habitat and everywhere I turn there is a new drawing of our little mini-green friend. Today Ella called him Tuck and it was just such the perfect name.

So, here’s tuck!

Stop in for a peek.

Rivers and Tides

We’ve been studying Andy Goldsworthy for the last few weeks. We’ve been reading his art books, studying the way he builds his pieces, and we watched parts of River’s and Tides (Thanks to the Millers for loaning us the DVD.)

As soon as we started talking about this kind of art, the kids went to work in the big yard, creating art that was meant to be temporary.

They are also seeing his type of pattern art in nature every where we go. On a field trip we had to stop at an interesting, handmade fence that was built in a remarkable pattern. Today at lunch, Amalie twisted her fruit leather into a wave and said; “This looks just like the shape that Andy Goldsworthy always makes with his art.” And I had to agree.

We have been inspired. So this week for art class, Tricia had the idea that we should go to Lincoln Park and build art on the beach. Lucky us, it was also low tide!

This one kept falling apart but Justin said it was more fun that way.

Paul began the stone serpent below and of course everyone wanted to help finish the beast.

The Final Masterpiece.

Harriette and Anya’s was interactive.

We built this bridge with the help of Paul to crawl through.

Man were we wiped on the return trip home.

My Hands Smelled Like Baby Guinea Pigs All Week Long

(A little edit.  Today we named the guinea pigs:  the brown and white one is Peanut, the multi-colored one is Mix-up and the black and white one is Riddles (Paul was the tie-breaker on that one - poor Paul.)

Mama Snuggles

All three in the log.

And I mean it, they smell like babies (in a good way).

By Sophia

AND Welcome Back Renee

Renee is back for the summer and everyone is so excited - this makes our student/teacher ratio nearly 1 to 5! We will be doing some special one on one tutoring in the afternoons during open classroom.

Introducing Our New Baby Guinea Pigs

This morning we were greeted with three brand new guinea pig babies.  (We got to see the placentas too.  It was so cool.)  We were so excited to have them after our first guinea pig litter didn’t make it and after the recent death of our beloved bun.  We actually had just finished their new improved, bigger house - just in time.

Come by and say hi.  They are too cute for words.

RIP Bun

You came to Community School around the same time as I did (over four years ago), you were lost and then found and you were so very loved.

An Apple a Day

I like to tease the kids that sometimes I feel like I’m hangin’ out with a bunch of hillbillies every day - toothless and all!

A Linked Pearl

During story time on Wednesday, after Brigit finished reading a chapter of the second book of Boxcar Children to the class, I re-introduced writing a linked pearl (we did it last year too.)

Earlier in the day Anya wrote the first line at the typewriter and I decided to go ahead and use that as the first line.  She also added the last line to sum up the poem.

Everyone took their turn so seriously.  And many wanted to whisper their line into my ear.  For this exercise, I told them to work off of the previous person’s line.  I didn’t read any other poems too them or give any suggestions.  We just started with Anya’s line.

A Linked Pearl

I feel no pain, I know hunger in me. -Anya

But I feel no sadness either. –Jackson

And I don’t feel mad either. –Isabel

I care about people, I try not to hurt them. –Brigit

I feel frustrated too. –Justin

I am happy in me. –Talin

And I am sad in me. –Isaac

Forever. –Alex

I love myself. –Flynn

I like the world and the things around me. –Amalie

I am lonely but friendly. –Asher

I see the world in me. –Joey

Everybody is kind in this city.-Jacob

I love my fish too. –Ella

I love my cats from the tip of my head to the tip of my toes. –Zavier

I love my dog. –Sophia

I like my kitty.-Harriette

Stripes in the sky, clouds above me. - Anya

~Mystery Bay

The Seattle International Children’s Festival

This week we went to The Seattle International Children’s Festival. This was the most whirlwind fieldtrip we’ve ever gone on.

We left school right away, caught the bus, walked to the theater, in the pouring rain, to see the Amazones – Women Master Drummers of Guinea. They were incredible. The drummers and the dancers kept our hearts pounding, not only for their music but also for being the first women from Guinea to use the traditional drums.

Then we quickly had lunch in the foyer and we were off to see Circa: 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes U.S. Premiere from Australia.

This was such a fantastic show. We sat right up front and I told the kids that they might call for volunteers and to be ready. The minute they did, Amalie jumped out of her seat and ran for the stage. After she got up from the act she was a part of, she proceeded to bow about a dozen times after all the other kids had left the stage - so funny!

After this performance, we only had a few minutes to catch the last bus home, so we wouldn’t be too late. So, we literally ran through downtown for blocks and blocks. We finally made it. I’m not sure I even took a breath that day.

It was busy, it was fast, we had a blast!