Wildflower experiencing the magic of mixing grades! ✨💫
Every year in Spring, Wildflower puts on what we like to call our Spring Mixer! This is where each class is divided up into different groups with members from other classes, giving our students the opportunity to work with peers they may not otherwise be able to collaborate with on a daily basis. Each group spent time rotating around the school and participating in varying activities led by our hardworking teachers! This year, each activity revolved around the theme of Earth's Biomes. Participating in activities in math, science, art, and movement, our students got the chance to learn all about the different ecosystems of our world while working in dynamic groups together! And at the end of the day, our school has a beautiful new mural that every single one of our students helped to create! We love to see all our students working together to create these beautiful moments!
Every year in Spring, Wildflower puts on what we like to call our Spring Mixer! This is where each class is divided up into different groups with members from other classes, giving our students the opportunity to work with peers they may not otherwise be able to collaborate with on a daily basis. Each group spent time rotating around the school and participating in varying activities led by our hardworking teachers! This year, each activity revolved around the theme of Earth's Biomes. Participating in activities in math, science, art, and movement, our students got the chance to learn all about the different ecosystems of our world while working in dynamic groups together! And at the end of the day, our school has a beautiful new mural that every single one of our students helped to create! We love to see all our students working together to create these beautiful moments!
Check out our 4th and 5th graders paving the way!
This year, Marisa's class theme is Trail Blazers! This theme is central to all aspects of their learning as our 4th and 5th graders discover all meanings of the word. For example, in science Marisa's class is learning all about the reasons for animal migration. In social studies, they are learning about immigration, from the Gold Rush to the Oregon Trail to today's migrant farmers. They have also been hard at work reading all about the many inventions of this world, including the race to space and the creation of flight. Soon, these explorers will be taking a field trip to the Chico Air Museum to see their learning in action!
Our Starflower class has also proved to be quite the group of little Trail Blazers themselves! This year, they have been designing and writing Wildflower's very first student-run magazine titled; "Migrate Magazine: A Starflower Look at the Explorers of Our World." In this magazine, they are writing about all sorts of expeditions, inventors, and explorers - from outer space to the deep sea. How cool is that! Keep up the good work and keep paving the way!
This year, Marisa's class theme is Trail Blazers! This theme is central to all aspects of their learning as our 4th and 5th graders discover all meanings of the word. For example, in science Marisa's class is learning all about the reasons for animal migration. In social studies, they are learning about immigration, from the Gold Rush to the Oregon Trail to today's migrant farmers. They have also been hard at work reading all about the many inventions of this world, including the race to space and the creation of flight. Soon, these explorers will be taking a field trip to the Chico Air Museum to see their learning in action!
Our Starflower class has also proved to be quite the group of little Trail Blazers themselves! This year, they have been designing and writing Wildflower's very first student-run magazine titled; "Migrate Magazine: A Starflower Look at the Explorers of Our World." In this magazine, they are writing about all sorts of expeditions, inventors, and explorers - from outer space to the deep sea. How cool is that! Keep up the good work and keep paving the way!
A little behind the scenes look at our meal program.....
The other day, our kitchen crew served up chicken rice bowls with freshly roasted veggies for lunch. How delicious! Wildflower's nutrition program focuses on creating fresh, homemade meals to keep our students fueled throughout the day! Many of our meals are made from scratch too, ensuring that our students are getting the nutrition they need. Weekly, our students get to try out new recipes, like homemade pesto sauce to go with their pasta, or jam prepared in our kitchen without any added sugar! And of course the crowd favorite, Chef Jacob's homemade tomato bisque soup!
We went around and asked some of our students what their favorite meals have been this year! One of our 2nd graders said, "my favorite meal is spaghetti, strawberries, bananas, and milk!" An 8th grader said her favorite meal at school is burrito bowls. And of course, a 5th grader said his favorite meal is Chef Jacob's "homemade tomato bisque soup and homemade coleslaw!"
The other day, our kitchen crew served up chicken rice bowls with freshly roasted veggies for lunch. How delicious! Wildflower's nutrition program focuses on creating fresh, homemade meals to keep our students fueled throughout the day! Many of our meals are made from scratch too, ensuring that our students are getting the nutrition they need. Weekly, our students get to try out new recipes, like homemade pesto sauce to go with their pasta, or jam prepared in our kitchen without any added sugar! And of course the crowd favorite, Chef Jacob's homemade tomato bisque soup!
We went around and asked some of our students what their favorite meals have been this year! One of our 2nd graders said, "my favorite meal is spaghetti, strawberries, bananas, and milk!" An 8th grader said her favorite meal at school is burrito bowls. And of course, a 5th grader said his favorite meal is Chef Jacob's "homemade tomato bisque soup and homemade coleslaw!"
Some of Wildflower's 4th and 5th graders are traveling around the world! 🌍
This year, Jessica's class theme is All Around the World! Each month, these 4th and 5th graders have been "traveling" somewhere new to focus their learning on a different country. This month, their theme is Japan! Our Poppy class has been practicing the technique of Shibori dyeing: a traditional Japanese method of dyeing by folding and twisting fabric to make intricate patterns using real indigo. This week they have been studying the science behind the oxygenation process that makes the fabric change colors. Our Poppy class has also been hard at work writing haikus and learning all about anime and Japanese art. We can't wait to see where they go next!
It's that time of year again! 🪻🌼🪻
Wildflower Open Classroom is now open for registration and enrollment! We welcome you to be a part of our vibrant school and community. Contact our office for more information or head on over to our website to learn more and fill out an enrollment interest form. Limited spots are available so don't miss out on this chance to join us!
A little bit about our school...
Wildflower is a TK-8th open classroom public charter school. We are an innovative school that strives to create life-long learners through our integrated academic curriculum. Our "whole child" approach to education addresses the academic, social, emotional, creative, and physical development of our students. Our classrooms consist of multiple grades, helping to broaden social peer groups and allow room for individualized instruction , where teachers can focus on individual based needs rather than grade level expectations. We are a school that takes pride in inviting children, teachers, and parents to collaborate as a community to cultivate learning and growth. Head on over to our website for more information on what Wildflower is all about!
Wildflower Open Classroom is now open for registration and enrollment! We welcome you to be a part of our vibrant school and community. Contact our office for more information or head on over to our website to learn more and fill out an enrollment interest form. Limited spots are available so don't miss out on this chance to join us!
A little bit about our school...
Wildflower is a TK-8th open classroom public charter school. We are an innovative school that strives to create life-long learners through our integrated academic curriculum. Our "whole child" approach to education addresses the academic, social, emotional, creative, and physical development of our students. Our classrooms consist of multiple grades, helping to broaden social peer groups and allow room for individualized instruction , where teachers can focus on individual based needs rather than grade level expectations. We are a school that takes pride in inviting children, teachers, and parents to collaborate as a community to cultivate learning and growth. Head on over to our website for more information on what Wildflower is all about!
🌱Wildflower's TK Sprouts are learning about all things that grow! 🌱
This year, Kali's classroom theme is Growth- growing hearts, minds, and bodies! Throughout the year, our TK class has been exploring all things that grow. They have been planting lots of seeds, charting their own growth "sprouts", and tasting the yummy snacks they have grown! Our Sprouts have been hard at work discussing all the ways growth happens in the world!
This year, Kali's classroom theme is Growth- growing hearts, minds, and bodies! Throughout the year, our TK class has been exploring all things that grow. They have been planting lots of seeds, charting their own growth "sprouts", and tasting the yummy snacks they have grown! Our Sprouts have been hard at work discussing all the ways growth happens in the world!
Come join us on February 5th for an Open House 9am-1pm! You will get the chance to meet our parent ambassadors and visit classrooms to witness your unique learning experiences in action. Full campus tours, refreshments, and questions galore await you!!
Our first sunshine in months! The Dandelion's read the "Wonder Walkers" at Forest Day today, then they went for their own wonder walk to ask big questions. Here is the poem that was put together with their questions:
I Wonder
By the Dandelions
I wonder...
Are planets the universe's heads?
Is grass the Earth's hair?
Is water the Earth's blood?
Are rocks the Earth's eyes?
Are clouds the Earth's teeth?
Are leaves the trees fingers?
Are parks the world's playgrounds?
Are humans the world's germs?
Does the Earth feel tickled when you dig up it's pebbles?
I wonder.
Me to.
I Wonder
By the Dandelions
I wonder...
Are planets the universe's heads?
Is grass the Earth's hair?
Is water the Earth's blood?
Are rocks the Earth's eyes?
Are clouds the Earth's teeth?
Are leaves the trees fingers?
Are parks the world's playgrounds?
Are humans the world's germs?
Does the Earth feel tickled when you dig up it's pebbles?
I wonder.
Me to.
Wildflower Open House January 8th and February 5th between the 9am & 1pm. Come for a tour and see what Wildflower is all about!
Absolute Joy! Those are just two words used to describe our last Forest Day of the school year. This day was also special because it was our first time bringing out two classes, Sammie's 1st/2nd Fawn Lillies, and Cassandra's 5th/6th Dandelions. These two classes have shared much growth together as big-buddy/little buddies, and this was a perfect end of the year experience with each other. We learned the different trees at Horseshoe Lake with a leaf scavenger hunt, harvested Tule Reed and admired it's soft, squishy texture as well as it's strength when made into cordage, and we spent the 2nd half of the day at Big Chico Creek exploring the creatures, habitat, and force of water.
The resident Great Blue Heron spent lots of time with the Monkeyflower kids today at Horseshoe Lake as they experienced Sit Spots, made Red-winged blackbird puppets, spied on RW blackbird nests, and developed secret clans in small groups. All along the GBH flew overhead, creeped up nearby, or entertained us with his grace from across the lake.
Osprey visits, catching frogs and tadpoles, playing in muddy water, adventuring through grassy fields and up big hills, planting bean seeds for our Three Sisters Garden, laying in the warm sand, Katie's Leopard Lillies had a wonderful day at Horseshoe Lake on May 2nd.
On April 23rd, Sammie's Fawn Lilies went back to Horseshoe Lake for school. Quietly and respectfully, they watched with intent as they released their four beautiful Painted Lady butterflies that day, which they had nurtured in their classroom in the past months. They made nature collages with items they collected around camp, colored in the shade, and had silent reading time in the afternoon. Finally, they learned about the Legend of the Three Sisters, a Native American tale about companion planting, then they planted seeds of the oldest, Sister Corn.
On April 22nd, Earth Day, Jess' Starflowers visited Far View Ranch for their second Forest Day! What a way to spend Earth Day! We prepared mulch and cages for planting baby Blue Oaks, played games, soared on the big swing, got our heads wet under the 75 yr old water well, visited an old rock with Acorn grinding bowls, and enjoyed peaceful sit spots under the shade.
On April 2nd, Linda's Lupines enjoyed a Wildflower scavenger hunt, building a fort on the edge of the lake that's been visited by other classes, saving tadpoles and bullfrongs from a vernal pool, exploring and naming "raft world", a bed of Tule reeds, and getting plain old muddy!
On April 11th, Morgan's Poppys had their 2nd Forest Day! We enjoyed a beautiful and peaceful Sit Spot moment, collected beautiful Wildflowers to build Oak Folk, and an Oak Folk Village, played in the sun, and took a walk to the creek to get our hair wet! Another beautiful day of joy and cheer!
ANNOUNCING: The Wildflower North Valley Community Foundation Fund.
We are excited to announce a way for our community to financially support our innovative school model and philosophy. Through generous donors we can continue to provide a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for our students.
Donate here: https://www.nvcf.org/funds/wildflower-open-classroom-support-fund
Our 7th and 8th grade Adolescent Program had an amazing time on their annual San Francisco camping Immersion! Some of their experiences included: Old Town Sacramento River History, San Rafael Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Cal Academy of Sciences, a ferry ride and exploration of Angel Island, Japanese Garden, Miniature Golf at Scandia, and multiple trips to the beach.
"I learned on the trip that you don't need electronics every second of the day. Now I go outside more of the day and stopped being on electronics" - Seventh grade student
"I think immersions really change us as a class, community and family. Every time we leave for an extended amount of time, we all seem to make new bonds. Myself included." - Eighth grade student
A Forest Day for the Dandelions; Cassandra's 5th/6th graders enjoyed a windy day at Horseshoe Lake! We learned all about the scientific, medicinal, and cultural value of their classroom flower, the Dandelion, and after removing 6 trash bags of star thistle, we reseeded the area with thousands of Dandelion seeds and wishes! This class was the first class to use our new tent! It protected us from the 20 mph gusts of wind, so we could use hand microscopes to look at Dandelion's tiny parts. Another fantastic day at Horseshoe Lake.
Our Kindergarten Buttercup's Theme this year is Food: past present and future. This week they tried got to try qual eggs, and painted rainbows using natural dyes made from plants. Red = Beets, Orange = Carrot Juice, Yellow = Turmeric, Green = Parsley, Blue = Cabbage + baking soda, Purple = Cabbage.
