We had such a wonderfully successful International Day at GLM! The children really enjoyed visiting the different continents and we thank all the parent volunteers who helped make this day happen! We look forward to seeing you at Family Fun Day next Saturday (May 19th) and we are still looking for volunteers. Please contact a Camellia teacher if you can volunteer this day!                       

What an exciting week we have had.   International Day was filled with food, fun, and dancing.  As the month of May continues we have been learning about Oceania-Australia, animals and their sounds, homes, family groups, and time.  If you have something you would like to share about these topics please contact a Ginkgo teacher.  We have been enjoying lunch outside with all the beautiful sunshine. We talk to the children about protecting our skin from the sun.  Hats and sunscreen are two things that we can put on our bodies to protect us.  The Ginkgo chore list for May, June, July, and August has been posted. Please take a look to see what help is needed.      

 
International Day was a great success this week! Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped in the planning and on the day. We especially loved performing our Tahitian Hula dance for the whole school as part of the celebration. The children all wore leis and were lined up as if in canoes. The dance is about finding land and being very happy. It was so lovely to see all the children rise to the occasion and do their very best with big smiles. Some of them articulated feeling nervous and very excited at the same time. Look out for video and pictures on the school Facebook page!

 During the month of May, we started having the Camellia and Mulberry children visit. As we talk with the Juniper children, we discuss what it means to be a "host". Being a host is simply helping your guest have a good time, being patient, comfortable, and of course, laughing is good (as stated by the children). The children absolutely love opening their classroom and helping their guest as they transition into the Juniper class. This is when we see the "elders" of the classroom taking true ownership of helping their new younger friends.     

International Day was a huge success! After weeks of practicing the Tinikling dance, the children performed in front of the entire school with smiles on their faces and pride in their movements.  Southeast Asia was well represented as GLM children enjoyed the lumpia Magnolia tirelessly rolled  and the colored rice craft was a popular hit. The elephant cut out banners that they so keenly cut were hung up and the colorful backdrop they helped paint made our area truly beautiful.  The children adventurously traveled to other continents with passports around their necks to eat snacks and make crafts. When asked what their favorite part of International Day was nearly every child exclaimed, "Everything!" The teachers appreciate all the support and assistance with creating this wonderful event for the children.                   

The Mulberry and Camellia classes' continent for International Day was North America. In preparation the children made corn bread on Monday as our North American food. On Tuesday the children decorated pinwheels to decorate our booth. On International Day, Wednesday, the children watched the primary classes perform a dance from their continent. Afterwards they traveled the world tasting foods, doing some crafts and having their passport stamped. Reminder: bring sunscreen in for your child!