The new pattern blocks are a hit!

by Eliza on February 24, 2010

The Salmonberry Garden students have been enjoying the new set of pattern blocks in the classroom.  The children have created vertical towers, flat designs and designs on paper which they trace and then add pencil details for a pattern block drawing.   Here are a few photos of them deeply engaged in their projects.

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The Dragon dances through the Salmonberry Garden classroom

The Dragon dances through the Salmonberry Garden classroom

From Linda’s desk…

“In anticipation of the Chinese New Year the Salmonberry Garden class had fun charting the Chinese Zodiac animals for the children and their families.  (It’s the only time you can call someone a pig or a rat without it being an insult!)  We had the most monkeys and snakes with roosters and goats (sometimes referred to as sheep or rams) following close behind.  There was only one dragon amongst our class families.  Even the elementary children were asking during recess to see the list which showed the years for each animal so they could figure out which animal they were.

On Monday, we created a dragon head by adding wings, horns and a mouth to a cardboard box.  On Tuesday, the children painted it and on Wednesday we added a red satin tail.  On Thursday we had our dragon parade in the room with four children under the dragon and five playing instruments.  We continued the parade until every child had a turn to be in the lead under the dragon head.  On Friday, when we had just four children, we took our dragon parade “on the road” to visit the elementary class and Children’s House.  The children rotated places inside the dragon while Becky and I played musical accompaniment.  It was well received by all.”

Classmates provide music for the Dragon to dance to.

Classmates provide music for the Dragon to dance to.IMG_0045

The Dragon takes its show on the road.

Parading through the Salmonberry elementary classroom.

Parading through the Salmonberry elementary classroom.

The Dragon visits our neighbors at Children's House.

The Dragon visits our neighbors at Children’s House.

Time to head back to the Salmonberry Garden for snack...

Time to head back to the Salmonberry Garden for snack…

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Friendly Space Aliens make the journey from Salmonberry to the library

February 23, 2010

The children at Salmonberry Garden created space aliens last month from recycled materials.   They used milk cartons, yogurt containers, spice bottles, salt containers, berry boxes, dental floss containers and wires from old calendars.  They held these things together with masking tape and old playdough.  Then they covered them with metallic paint and added [...]

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Button Blanket: Kunamokst

February 14, 2010

KUNOMOKST
by Salmonberry School’s Elementary Students
Salmonberry Elementary students in grades 1-4, recently completed designing and sewing this original “Button Blanket,” entitled “Kunomokst” inspired by the traditional ceremonial blankets of the First Peoples of the Northwest Coast.  The colors, and certain  forms are based on traditional designs, which the class studied.  The title Kunomokst, translates to “together” [...]

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Seattle Art Museum

February 6, 2010

Salmonberry Elementary students took advantage of an opportunity to view the collection of contemporary art at the Seattle Art Museum with a special focus on the temporary exhibit Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act.
The class spent time with their art teacher, Andrea Cohen preparing for the visit.  They did some projects in the classroom and discussed [...]

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Freedman embraces new challenge

December 31, 2009

No, I’m not going anywhere.  But I have been recently asked to serve as a “Contributing Editor” for the journal Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice.
This magazine was founded in the 1980’s as the Holistic Education Review and was retitled about ten years ago.  As many of you know, I have contributed manuscripts to [...]

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Samish Elders Visit Salmonberry School

November 29, 2009

On Thursday, November 19, Two Samish elders, Rosie Cayou and Bill James spent the day with the 1st through 4th grade children at Salmonberry Elementary School.  They taught lessons about Samish cultural traditions, songs, stories, rituals, language, clothing, and much more.  With great sensitivity to the children’s young age, they helped the students to think [...]

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WAGONS HO!

November 21, 2009

Food Bank or Bust!
On Monday, November 16, Salmonberry School students age 3-10, participated in a unique sort of Wagon Train.  The students pushed and pulled a procession of large wagons through the driving rain, to deliver hundreds of donated food items to the Orcas Food Bank.  Once there, after a well-earned cup of cocoa, [...]

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To Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

November 1, 2009

This is a bit of a longer posting, which I hope you will take the time to read.  - Paul
As a teacher looking to create meaningful learning experiences for my students, I am a constant observer.  My goal through careful observation is to try to understand and experience the cognitive, emotional and physical perspective of [...]

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Fall Festival

October 24, 2009

Salmonberry’s annual Fall Festival went on despite the stormy conditions.  Great fun was had by all.  Kids made traditional corn husk dolls with elementary teacher, Paul Freedman.  There was beeswax candle dipping, which took a lot of patience to create beautiful organic-looking tapered candles.
Towards the end, kids and adults alike dipped fall leaves, flowers, and [...]

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