DATES TO REMEMBER:
November 17: T-TH classes bring vegetable for soup
November 18:M-W-F classes bring vegetable for soup
November 21 and 22: Soup Day: * see times below
November 23, 24, 25: HOLIDAY, NO CLASSES
November 21 to Dec 5: Parent/Teacher Conference sign-up on Soup Day or call 439-7745
Dec 6th -9th : Conferences 9am-4pm Classes AS USUAL
Conferences
Conferences will be held on Dec 6th -9th. There will be choices of times to sign up for, some during your child’s class, others later in the day. T/Th classes will need to sign-up on a T/TH. MWF students on Wednesday or Friday to ensure your child’s teacher is available. You may come in to school for your outdoor conference around the bonfire, or you could request a phone conference. Classes are held as usual during conference time.
October Re-cap
Our favorite October activities outside were raking leaves, rolling in them and discovering goats love to eat them. The children gathered radishes, broccoli, and corn stalks for the dual purpose of clearing up the garden and feeding our animals. The steer, calf, pigs, goats and chickens enjoyed all the leftovers. Our steer and pigs left on October 31st. The steer to another farm and the pigs to the butcher. In a very matter of fact manner, we do let the children know where they have gone.
Pumpkins have been fun to pick, cut, cook, mash, eat the seeds of, and make pumpkin pies. The individual pumpkin pie project allows each child to feel proud about an accomplishment to share with those at home.
Our pretend play changed to camping, complete with tents, backpacks and a real canoe. At this time we include stories and songs of outdoor adventures, of wild animals of the region (beaver, raccoon, wolves, etc). They play fishing in the canoe and cooking over a campfire.
SONG FOR SINGING:
OH, MY, I WANT A PIECE OF PIE,
OH, MY, I WANT A PIECE OF PIE, the pie’s too sweet, I want a piece of meat…..the meat’s too red, I want a piece of bread, …..the bread’s too brown, I’ve got to go to town….the town’s too far, I’ll have to take the car,…..the car’s too slow, I fell and stubbed my toe…..my toe’s got a pain, I’ll have to take the train,….. the train had a wreck, I nearly broke myneck…..OH, MY, NO MORE PIE! OH, MY, NO MORE PIE!
PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE: (This makes two pies)
- 2 cups pumpkin, cooked and mashed
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 6 eggs
- 3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups milk
Crust: (this makes two pies; we rolled into balls, and children rolled out for individual pies)
- 3 cups flour
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2/3 cup lard
- 1/2 cup cold water- add up to 1/4 c more if needed
Making Soup
MAKING SOUP (vegetables brought in – Thursday, Nov. 17 for the t-th classes, and Friday Nov. 18 for the m-w-f classes) We ask that each child bring one unwashed, whole vegetable (ex: one carrot, or one potato) to add to our soup. This is a class project in anticipation of the upcoming visiting day. We will work with your child at school to peel, cut, or whatever is needed, to add it to the pot. Variety is encouraged! The soup we are making will be chicken soup stock, from a farm chicken (previously butchered).
Soup Day
SOUP DAY is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, November 21 or 22. Soup Day:
1 adult per child – no siblings. Children arrive at regular time. Adult arrives at 10:15 or 1:30.
Dress to be outside for the whole time.
AM classes: From 10:15-11:15 you can go on a hike, have a bowl of soup and feed the animals. At 11:15 we will gather to sing on the hill.
PM classes: From 1:30-2:30 you can go on a hike, have a bowl of soup and feed the animals. At 2:30 we will gather to sing on the hill.
November Plans
NOVEMBER’S PLANS include more activities to foster skills of working together, along with confidence in individual abilities. Sharing group adventures and songs and making soup together are some other group plans. Peeling and careful cutting of vegetables or spreading of cream cheese or peanut butter will increase skills leading toward the creation of our soup. Other snacks planned, such as banana bread, pumpkin muffins, or biscuits, will give each child a feeling of helping toward the completion of a group project.
