Wednesday News

January 9, 2014

The children are enjoying the sensory areas of our classroom and have been eager to  work independently in these areas as soon as they arrive in the morning!  Today, one table in our studio was set as a provocation to invite children to explore water. In thinking of our provocation we look very intentionally at the materials we are setting in place that may facilitate discovery and exploration for our children.  Science concepts such as  floating, sinking and  cognitive development such as  imaginative thinking were a few of the thoughts we discussed in planning for this area in our classroom. We placed small plastic animals, plastic cups, tin cups, glass jars and measuring cups in each tub of water for children to explore.   

Dough, molding tools  and cutting tools were set up at another table in our Studio area where children were invited to explore molding, sculpting , cutting and shaping with dough. The dough had gotten rather hard and dried out and the children discovered new ways to shape and work with the dough.  The children were very interested in working with their hands at the dough table and we realized that we were definitely due to make a new batch of playdough! Dough provides wonderful opportunities for children to develop fine motor skills, stimulates cognitive thinking skills and builds social skills.  The children were engaged in continuous conversation while working with their hands and ease of conversation was a joy to observe!

The children have been enjoying playing board games this week. Today we introduced Nature Lotto. This games facilities  visual discrimination skills, vocabulary skills, cognitive skills  and social skills.  The ability to take turns and plays board games cooperatively is a true reflection of the social maturity that we have been observing this year.  Very exciting times!

Outdoor play was such fun today! Enjoy the photos that truly capture the time we spent outdoors!

We changed our Journal writing time today from early morning to after Choice and Outdoor play time. The children were asked to think about something they enjoyed doing or playing with at school today and to draw a picture in their journal and then tell a few words or story to describe their work.  The children enjoyed dictating their words and many of the children talked about friends they played with during the morning.