2.5.2020 100 Day celebration- we had a lot of visitors who remembered the streamers:)
1/30/20 'ch' is for chicken- yes you read that correctly....chicken - a real one. The kids were super excited and they almost all petted it-- "it's so soft" was a common refrain. While I don't look terribly enamored of the chicken, I must say I petted it. I had to, after 14 Kindergartners showed no fear and a 2 year old had no reservations in petting it.
1/30/2020- reading with the 8th graders- such a great experience- for both classes :)
1/23/2020 H is for hat and 2 horse heads:)
October 31, 2019 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Day
The day started with a great speech by Rev. Dekker. One statement that really made an impact on the Kindergartners was "If you make fun of someone, you are making fun of God." I find this very touching because I never hear Kindergartners making fun of each other or mocking each other- ever. They are kind and always concerned for each other.
Thanks so much to the moms who came in and helped out. The kids had to try to do fine motor activities with socks and baggies on their hands (picking up Cheerios) , shut their eyes and try to feel different shapes (a triangle, a circle, and square written in crayon) , and they learned the alphabet in sign language and learned how to ask for milk and cookies using sign language:>They then made a puzzle poster of their faces- we are all different, but we all fit together in God's perfect plan. That poster will be hanging outside our door for the school year.
They had a great day.
The day started with a great speech by Rev. Dekker. One statement that really made an impact on the Kindergartners was "If you make fun of someone, you are making fun of God." I find this very touching because I never hear Kindergartners making fun of each other or mocking each other- ever. They are kind and always concerned for each other.
Thanks so much to the moms who came in and helped out. The kids had to try to do fine motor activities with socks and baggies on their hands (picking up Cheerios) , shut their eyes and try to feel different shapes (a triangle, a circle, and square written in crayon) , and they learned the alphabet in sign language and learned how to ask for milk and cookies using sign language:>They then made a puzzle poster of their faces- we are all different, but we all fit together in God's perfect plan. That poster will be hanging outside our door for the school year.
They had a great day.
October 3, 2019- Field trip to the ZOO!!!
What a fantastic day. What could be more fun than going to the zoo with 16 kids:) And like I told the kids who said they had been to the zoo before "But have you ever gone with 15 of your best friends?"
Ask your Kindergartner about the goat who tried to eat a camera cord, the prancing llama showing off, the boa constrictors moving all around, the Bengal tiger, the emu who tried to follow us, the 2 bears playing with a barrel, the white and black turkey strutting back and forth, the tiny monkeys playing on the branches, and the peacocks who walked around the Zoo like they owned the place.
After the Zoo we took a few minutes to go to the beach. We skipped rocks, kicked sand and watched the big waves roll in. And on our way home, the bridge went up to let some boats through - which was super exciting:)
My Fitbit said I walked 10,000 steps, which means the kids probably walked more than 20,000 steps since their legs are half as long as mine:)
What a fantastic day. What could be more fun than going to the zoo with 16 kids:) And like I told the kids who said they had been to the zoo before "But have you ever gone with 15 of your best friends?"
Ask your Kindergartner about the goat who tried to eat a camera cord, the prancing llama showing off, the boa constrictors moving all around, the Bengal tiger, the emu who tried to follow us, the 2 bears playing with a barrel, the white and black turkey strutting back and forth, the tiny monkeys playing on the branches, and the peacocks who walked around the Zoo like they owned the place.
After the Zoo we took a few minutes to go to the beach. We skipped rocks, kicked sand and watched the big waves roll in. And on our way home, the bridge went up to let some boats through - which was super exciting:)
My Fitbit said I walked 10,000 steps, which means the kids probably walked more than 20,000 steps since their legs are half as long as mine:)
5/22/19 All Sports Day- We spent our noon hour recess blowing and chasing bubbles and we spent our PE playing a variety of sports; catching a football, frisbee, catching a very bouncy ball, paddle ball, trac ball, catching a wiffle ball, dribbling and shooting basketballs, and passing a volleyball. Thanks so much to my Anna for coming and helping out ( although I should stop calling her that, most of the kids think her name is Myanna :)
4.10.19 Hanging out with the HCHS band - thanks Mr. Baldwin:)
1/17/19 H is for hat
10.31.2018. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made day
10/11/18 Our field trip to Washington Park Zoo
Although a little chilly at the beginning of the day, it ended up being perfect weather for the Zoo. Ask your Kindergartener about the running emus (I think they were showing off), the wolf that desperately tried to reach the kids (climbing up the rock), the monkey who copied the kids, the otter on top of the tube, the tube that went under the water, and the peacocks who strutted around like they owned the place.
After we wandered the Zoo for a few hours, Mr. Birkett drove us to the beach (a mere 2 minutes away) where we watched wind surfers and the waves crashing onto the beach- it was VERY windy. After our faces were thoroughly sandblasted we hopped back on the bus for school. We were a bit early so our driver drove us to a park where we all had a snack and played for a bit. A huge thank you to our room moms and our bus driver- we couldn't have done it without you!!!
8/29/18 our first day - so fun.... and exhausting:)
8/29 and 8/30/18. Getting to know each other and our school:) hectic and chaotic at times and oh sooo much fun!!!
5/23/18 All Sports Day
What a beautiful day to be outside!! We played catch with baseballs, a football, and frisbees. We hit the ball off “tees” and played a very competitive game of soccer ( I think it ended in a tie 😬). We played paddleball and so much more:) A huge thank you to Anna who came out to help:) and thanks to all who brought sports equipment for us to use. Good times:)
What a beautiful day to be outside!! We played catch with baseballs, a football, and frisbees. We hit the ball off “tees” and played a very competitive game of soccer ( I think it ended in a tie 😬). We played paddleball and so much more:) A huge thank you to Anna who came out to help:) and thanks to all who brought sports equipment for us to use. Good times:)
4/12/18 Field Trip to Bellaboos
What a fun day!!! We spent only an hour at Bellaboos but we packed it full of experiences. We tried out the water table, built in the construction room, climbed and slid and rolled around in a ball pit, went shopping in the grocery store, served “food” at the restaurant, helped animals at the vet clinic and so much more!!!
What a fun day!!! We spent only an hour at Bellaboos but we packed it full of experiences. We tried out the water table, built in the construction room, climbed and slid and rolled around in a ball pit, went shopping in the grocery store, served “food” at the restaurant, helped animals at the vet clinic and so much more!!!
.....a few more pics....
2.7.18 We celebrated 100 day with the rest of the school and enjoyed every minute of it :) For our math class we counted puzzle pieces - by 10’s to 100 and then by 100 to 1000. I thank my grandson Calvin for the idea - after he scattered my 1000 piece puzzle everywhere- this was a perfect opportunity to practice our counting skills 😬.
We also did 100 exercises in the gym, enjoyed a snack with everyone contributing 100 pieces, and made our 100 day glasses.
We also did 100 exercises in the gym, enjoyed a snack with everyone contributing 100 pieces, and made our 100 day glasses.
2.1.18 We had a guest reader at storytime and everyone loved it!!! Thanks Rev. Mahtani - you are welcome any time
11/6/17 We are studying the 5 senses and one of our favorite classmates brought her “sensory box” in to share with us:) we loved it and so did she ❤️
10/12/17 Field Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo
What a great day!! Cool, cloudy and full of very active animals. Except for 2 bee stings- it was a perfect day!!
What a great day!! Cool, cloudy and full of very active animals. Except for 2 bee stings- it was a perfect day!!
10/6/17 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Day
10/4/17 Sometimes older kids come visit and enjoy spending time with “my little people”.❤️
10/4/17 Hot lunch day- organized chaos 😁
9.14.17 Everyone is getting more and more comfortable in the classroom - notice Mrs. Brummel working on tying shoes:)- Mrs. Maatman thanks her!!❤️
8.30.17- Our first week 😁
Friday, March 21, 2014. P is for Policeman.
We had a very special Show and Tell. Joah's Dad, Justin Bultema, is a South Holland police officer and he came in to talk to the kids about being a policeman. When he asked the kids what they think a policeman does, the most popular answer was "get bad guys", closely followed by "give my mom a ticket". :) He then explained that he primarily helps people. He talked about 911 and the importance of knowing that number and the importance of wearing seatbelts while in the car. He then talked about the equipment that he uses and why he needs it; radio, flashlight, handcuffs, etc. Then we could all ask him questions. He finished off the visit with candy for the kids and a bag of goodies. Thanks so much Mr. Bultema for taking the time to talk to our class and the kids promise they will wear their seatbelts!
We had a very special Show and Tell. Joah's Dad, Justin Bultema, is a South Holland police officer and he came in to talk to the kids about being a policeman. When he asked the kids what they think a policeman does, the most popular answer was "get bad guys", closely followed by "give my mom a ticket". :) He then explained that he primarily helps people. He talked about 911 and the importance of knowing that number and the importance of wearing seatbelts while in the car. He then talked about the equipment that he uses and why he needs it; radio, flashlight, handcuffs, etc. Then we could all ask him questions. He finished off the visit with candy for the kids and a bag of goodies. Thanks so much Mr. Bultema for taking the time to talk to our class and the kids promise they will wear their seatbelts!
February 12- 100 Days of school (for the rest of the school- but we still celebrate with them:)
2/6/14- A few pictures of the kids during free time and a few from "hat day". I talked Caleb into coming over wearing his horsehead as my show and tell:). Whatever am I going to do when he graduates?
12/20/2013 Our Christmas party:)
One of the room moms took some pictures and was kind enough to share them with us. We had such a great time, even though everyone was a little sleepy. We first went to chapel, then made pine cone bird feeders- messy but successful- then had a snack and drink. We then went to the gym and played 'pin the tail on the donkey', bowling, bean bag in the bucket toss, and ring toss. After that, we went back to the room and opened gifts, had pizza and a drink, and the room moms passed out the treat bags. A great big THANK YOU to the room moms who went above and beyond helping out in our classrooms and making this day such a success!
One of the room moms took some pictures and was kind enough to share them with us. We had such a great time, even though everyone was a little sleepy. We first went to chapel, then made pine cone bird feeders- messy but successful- then had a snack and drink. We then went to the gym and played 'pin the tail on the donkey', bowling, bean bag in the bucket toss, and ring toss. After that, we went back to the room and opened gifts, had pizza and a drink, and the room moms passed out the treat bags. A great big THANK YOU to the room moms who went above and beyond helping out in our classrooms and making this day such a success!
11/15/13- We have been studying the 5 senses and on Friday we focused on our sense of taste. The kids tried lemons. Most of them did not care much for them, but their facial expressions speak for themselves. I tried to snap the picture right at the moment they bit into the lemon:)
11/6/13 Today we tackled a new art project. One that I haven't done before -(and I will hear about it, too, as the older classes walk by and say indignantly, "We never did that, Mrs. Maatman!" ) There were quite a few steps to this one so I rounded up some helpers from the highschool side. The girls (Kylie, Tina, and Ellen) came willingly to help- I had to put some pressure on Caleb to come, but he is an obedient son:) and he had fun too! Caleb then stayed a little longer to play the piano for us. I encourage all the kids to take piano lessons- even the boys and they love to see a boy play the piano.
The kids are very excited to take their art work home, but I told them we have to hang them in the hall first for a while. They did a fantastic job!
The kids are very excited to take their art work home, but I told them we have to hang them in the hall first for a while. They did a fantastic job!
Zoo Pictures- October 2013- We had so much fun!!
Color-color pompom September 2013