Friday 28 September 2012

Fall sunshine

It was so beautiful yesterday we just couldn't stay inside.

Everyone found something to do that piqued their imaginations.

Some were builders and diggers.



Some were scientists and explorers.



The great bug hunt of 2012 was on!



Some were dancers and gymnasts.


Some were race car drivers, flying around the trike course.


Others were just happy to soak up the crisp fall sunshine.


Most exciting of all, some children chose to be aviators and kite flyers.






Hmmmmm......do we feel another inquiry floating in the air?


Wednesday 19 September 2012

Mixing, mixing

While working on dots, some children noticed that colours can be mixed to make new colours.


We read "Mouse Paint", which introduced colour theory, and the children got excited about making new colours.

"I mixed all the colours together."
 Katy broke out the fingerpaints in order to explore the colours on a bigger scale.

"I mixed yellow and blue to make green."
 The feel of the paint between fingers was exciting. The childen used words like "slippery", "smooth" and "wet".


"I'm trying to make blue but I can't."
 Some children discovered that the primary colours can't be made by mixing.

"Look at my rainbow!"
Stay tuned for more colour experiments!

Friday 14 September 2012

Start with a Dot

We have some prolific artists in Room 132. Lily created this painting at the art easel.


It made Katy and I think of "The Dot" by Peter H Reynolds.


 After we shared it with the class, there was a buzz of excitement about creating our own dots, just like Vashti in the book. Katy set out some materials and paint and we got to work.

 
"Look what I did with my imagination!" - Aidan G
 

"Swirly dot" -Cameron Hu.

"I'm making a square then I'll turn it into a dot" -Keegan

"Look at my dot! I made a circle" - Kaden
 Gavin started making 3-D dots.

"It's a planet."

"It's dots inside dots." - Olivia

"It's a sun" - Reid
 In the afternoon, once the paints were put away, children found other materials in the art studio to make dots.

And Cameron Ha. started finding dots in other places too!

Where else can we find dots? What else can we use to make them?
The excitement of our first inquiry is in the air! The children showed remarkable self-regualtion and a fierce curiosity for the materials, the colours and shapes. The language and vocabulary they are building is rich and varied. We're excited to see where our dot investigation takes us next.

Friday 7 September 2012

The JKs have landed!

"I like puzzles!"
"We are making ingredients."


"It's a house. For these." (small white shells)

"Can you read this to me?"

"What  are you buying?"

"My tower is 19 tall."

This is my bunny."

"Come see my painting!"



It was wonderful to hear the sounds of excited children filling our beautiful classroom. So much learning already!

Wednesday 5 September 2012

Transformations

Katy and I have been busy preparing to meet our new students tomorrow.

It's been an adventure transforming our space this fall. We moved away from a crowded, colourful teacher-directed space towards a more neutral, calm, and child-centred classroom. Our goals are to have a more purposeful use of the environment and to think carefully about every aspect of the space.

We've tried to focus on natural materials and using a clutter-free approach. The walls look a little bare right now, but not for long!

Come on in for a tour!

We can't wait to meet our new learners tomorrow.
The cubbies are ready to welcome their new owners.


Science centre is ready to be explored.


The math centre, ready for counting, patterning, and imaginative play.

The art studio is ready for little artists.

So is the writing centre.

Our new couch is a cozy spot to share a book.

The quiet corner, for reading, puzzles and dramatic play.


We're excited to see how our kindergarten learners will interact with their classroom and transform it to reflect their learning. Check back soon!