Our kids at INTERNATIONAL CENTRE for EXCELLENCE are excited! The scent of SPRING has them dreaming of beaches, picnics, outside fun, art in our ICE garden and more. There is always a sense of holding our breath just before a seasonal change!
Teachers are feeling much the same! Our WINTER THEME TRAY will now give way to scores of potted plants, paper flowers, enchanted forests and whatever else the children dream up! Enthusiasm is renewed.
It is interesting that even though our winters are mild in WA we still have that sense we have been ensconced in the depths of winter and in a sort of deep, dreamlike sleep!
Here are a few ways that we can all celebrate the rites of SPRING with our pupils- Pre-School through Primary to Secondary:
• Make gratitude lists and add each day or show children how to begin a gratitude journal. (Model this by keeping one yourself.)
• Start a new garden bed- fingers in the soil, add compost and dig, plant and nurture some seeds.
• Write SPRING goals for learning, out of school, sport etc.
• Remind children that Spring is about new beginnings so they can consider new interests and hobbies.
• Help to spring-clean their rooms (and classrooms!)
• Draw some plants- really look at them closely.
• Record some bird calls and try to identify birds from sounds
• Plan a regular weekend picnic.
• Get outside to do writing/art or listen to a story! There is plenty of research that shows changing the learning environment and venturing outside will improve learning outcomes.
• Pack away some heavier clothes and give away old clothes.
• Make a list of things we can do in Spring that couldn’t be done in Winter!
• Choose books that focus on spring themes such as baby animals, plants and the environment.
ABOVE ALL- ENJOY THE HOPE, THE STIRRINGS AND THE OPTIMISM OF SPRING!
