First Full Week of May: May 4-8, 2026 ( 4.5 days Early Release Day, Teacher Appreciation Week & Field Trip to Wolfe's Neck)

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

A Monday morning surprise!  The windows are beautiful!

The sidewalk was filled with kind words and artwork.

Thank you to the Phaedra Schmidt (artist), the PCPA, and all the families that contributed.

A read aloud to get the children's minds ready for writing to their mother.

Writing

They are working on a very special letter to their mothers 

for Mother's Day.

It was fun to read what they decided to write.

Step one completed.

Reading Group

Reading the emergent reader What's In Your Garden?

Stations

Independent practice: Sorting 5 blends.

Centers

Watering her Zinnia plant.

Centers

Working together in blocks.

Race tracks have been popular.

Quiet Time

May coloring

Phonics

Sn amd sm

A fun read aloud for Mother's Day.

Finishing up her letter to her mom.

The children worked very hard to use their best handwriting.

The letters to mom were shrunk, carefully colored, laminated, and turned into a keepsake magnet.

I hope you enjoy your magnet!

Preparing a gift tag for his Mother's Day Zinnia plant.

On Tuesday many notes, cards and pictures came into school for Teacher Appreciation Week!  We shared each one at Morning Meeting instead of a morning message.  

Thank you for the kind words! 💕

Centers

Math

Origami flowers

Folding many shapes.

Origami can be magical!

Taking 2D to 3D.

Ta da!

Centers

Writing & Drawing

Mother's Day card.

Centers

Art Table

Centers

blocks

race track

Wednesday so many beautiful flowers came into school!

We put a vase on each of the three tables.

The children were all smiles!

Field Trip to Wolfe's Neck Farm

A special thank you to Katherine Alexander (Avery's mom), 

Martin Duval (Marcus' dad), Sarah Gayer (Joy's mom), 

and Katherine O'Brien (Seamus' mom) for chaperoning this trip!

Our first rotation was learning learning about farm animals and their roles on a farm.

Conversation Starter: Sorting Tubs 

What does this animal bring us?

Heading to the barn!

There were many sheep 

and some goats in the barn.

It was fun to see the baby sheep.

A pregnant momma sheep who was due to give birth any day.

Katie was our first instructor.

She gave the children opportunities to pet several different animals in their barn.

awe

Visiting the chicken coop.

Those who wanted could pet the chicken.

Feeding the chickens.

Get back in there!

An opportunity to pet an Angora rabbit.

Outdoor sheep.

Our second instructor was Michael.  

He brought us into the woods to learn about Maine trees and plants.

A blind fold activity to encourage using senses other than sight.

Trusting that they will be well taken care of. ♥️

Learning about the white pine tree.

Our last rotation was the farm with Melody and Danielle.

A movement activity that acted out the growth of a plant.

Learning about the parts of a plant.

Sowing beet seeds.

Everyone had an opportunity to plant some.

Visiting thevegetables that were planted several weeks ago and noticing plant growth.

Enjoying lunch outside together.

Wednesday afternoon read aloud, a fun one.

This one was new to all the children.

Creating a card for Mother's Day.

Wednesday evening was Ms. Gaare's Art Walk.

Each child selected one piece for the art show.

If you didn't make it to the show I am sure these pieces will up for a little bit.

Eventually your child's selected piece will come home.

Thursday morning the PCPA served a wonderful breakfast, 

thank you to all who helped and contributed!

Our administration also surprised us later in the day. 

Tiffany Karnes and Sarah Forrey-Pettit came around 

with a cart of treats for staff to choose from!

Everyone was so kind and thoughtful, thank you! 💕

Writing

Completing a piece of writing about his mom.

Decorating a gift bag to take home all his Mother's Day gifts.

More flowers at the end of the week!

 Math

The children are learning about 3D shapes.

Every child's plant pot had some growth.

Enjoy watching your Zinnia(s) grow!

Friday was an Early Release Day.

While eating lunch in the classroom the children listened and watched this story on the whiteboard.

Packing up all the surprises!

Happy Mother's Day! 💕

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Watch for these Mother's Day surprises: Zinnia plant, magnet, Mothers Day card, and writing.

This Week:

Tuesday: NWEA Reading A healthy breakfast and a rested child is very helpful.

Wednesday: NWEA Math A healthy breakfast and a rested child is very helpful.

Thank you for your support! 💕