Good Morning Honeybee Families,
The teachers are feeling a lot of grief about our school year being finished. We could feel it coming, but weren’t ready to see this as a reality until the Governor’s announcement yesterday. We’ll find a way to celebrate this year when it’s safe to gather together.
Let’s think about bookmaking. It is a wonderful activity for any age. Have you ever met Becca Imbur here in Blacksburg? She teaches grownups and children to make many different kinds of books if you want to check out some of her work.
Let’s make a book out of supplies we probably have around the house. Paper bags of any size are a good start. I like the idea of a big grocery sized bag book for the Honeybees. The handles could be left on the outside edge for carrying. I think six or eight pages is plenty for preschoolers…and you can always make another one.
What will your book be about? Let your child be your guide. As the days go on I’m truly realizing the powerful nature of child led learning as I don’t have your child to “create” and drive our curriculum. It could be a story they want to draw or collage. It could be a nature journal and they could draw and tape in things they find on your walks. You could press some flowers that you collect on your walks. You could paint a page a day, waiting for each page to dry. Print some pictures of your child and some friends so they can “get into the story.” Cut out pictures from magazines and let them glue them in to create a story or just art pieces. It’s about the process. Let them cut out bright papers, and see what they transform it into. If your child is craving letters you could extend this book and make an ABC book over time. They will let you know.
I’ve been thinking about bird books. About 25 years ago I started keeping a simple bird journal in my Field Guide. Whenever I see a new bird, I write the date and place beside it in the Field Guide. You could make a smaller project book for this season. {Seriously get your child a Field Guide to North American Birds. Imagine a lifetime of birding.}
I saw that Anna and the Bluebirds are talking about frogs, and I thought I’d keep sharing favorite songs and musicians. I love family bands, and Elizabeth Mitchell, her partner Daniel Littleton, and their daughter Storey have created several beautiful, playful albums for families. She is the founding member of the indie rock band Ida. She was also the first artist signed to Smithsonian Folkways with a children’s album. You’ve probably heard heard her music playing in our classroom in the mornings.
I’m going to leave you with a bird story today. Tomorrow we’ll talk more about birds, bird art, and bird stories. I’m sending you big air hugs full of love.
