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Many Things!

February 17, 2021 | Kristen Jordan

Today’s blog is simply a glimpse into some of the things we’ve been working in the past couple of days:

Last Thursday, to celebrate “I Love Math Day!” Anthony and Maximus, Mustard Seed Middle Schoolers taught the Trees Children in a recorded lesson a shapes-matching math game. First, we played it together as a whole class. “I have a green triangle. Who has a red rectangle?” Then, it was one of many math activities available to children during an ALL MATH activity time. This game helps children with identifying and naming shapes and colors, visual discrimination, memory, and attention.

For more on all the mathematical activities we had fun with on “I Love Math Day”, please take a look at last Thursday’s Instagram posts!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKtyDhD7ta/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKfGD3jwxv/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKYeFsjPYI/

After the long weekend, we had so many things to do! Very important among them, was beginning the season of Lent, today on Ash Wednesday. Our day began with the children making crosses out of ashes during worship while saying the prayer, “Jesus teach me how to follow you.”

The children also practiced “Drawing their prayers”, as we refer to it. After each worship story, the children will quietly think about and draw the worship story as a an artistic way of reflecting on the stories of Jesus’ life. Children think about what they have heard and what might be important to them about the story. Today, the first story they drew was the first story in Jesus’ life: His birth!

Children were also introduced to their lenten boxes. They were able to decorate them using the water color paints that they have been using in class. We discussed how they will be able to help take care of others by collecting money in their beautifully decorated coin boxes at home.

And last, we’ve had so much fun in the snow lately that here’s just a glance from one day!

Kristen Jordan

Teacher, Rivers Class

Kristen Jordan began helping at Mustard Seed School in 2006, after her daughter had been a student in the preschool. She substituted for many years in all grades; in 2011, she returned to the classroom and has been a teacher in The Nest ever since.

Prior to the birth of her daughter Clara, in 2002, Ms. Jordan worked in Brooklyn as a first grade teacher with the New York City Public Schools. During this time, her school collaborated with the Brooklyn Museum, and this work helped Ms. Jordan develop a real interest in the parallels between the process of making art and the process of writing in the classroom. She thoroughly enjoys teaching both art and literacy to preschoolers.

Ms Jordan’s background includes work with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. While at Teachers College, she trained with esteemed educator and author Lucy Calkins. Early in her teaching career, Ms. Jordan did not think that she wanted to teach very young children but her view has changed! She now really enjoys and takes great interest in young children and their development.

Ms. Jordan enjoys reading, working out, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her daughter and family. Although she has lived on the East Coast for a very long time, as a native of Oregon, she really loves the mountains!

Many Things!

Kristen Jordan

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