Building, Constructing & Imagination based play
Building has continued to be our main area of focus in the classroom this week (and last). We are doing some very creative and inventive things with the materials we have in the classroom which is very exciting for Eudenis and I to see.
We received some really beautiful pieces of wood that are rectangular in shape and have been inspiring us to build instruments! First a piano was created, and then a drum, and eventually a microphone. These pieces have also transformed into houses, castles, bridges, and airplanes! As mentioned at our curriculum breakfast, loose parts are the perfect “tool” for creating without a preconceived notion of what the pieces are supposed to be. The wood can easily become a piece of sand castle, a mama or daddy, an ice cream or a microphone. There are infinite possibilities and no predetermined set of rules (like a piece of play bread in the kitchen is typically just used as bread).
In the block center, we have been using our hollow blocks and unit blocks to create some amazing structures! Our first large cooperative building was a very tall tower, and our second was a long bridge over the river. What’s amazing about blocks is that they help us learn diverse and important skills such as:
Balance
Gravity
Spatial awareness
Comparisons (big/small)
Shapes
Understanding 3-D shapes
Cooperative play
Language building
Planning
Trial and error
Ability to shift ideas and adapt to adverse conditions
Ability to use one object in many different ways
Finally, we have also started to explore our workbench and how to use all of our tools. Soon we will be creating opportunities for the children to try out some real tools, like a drill and hammer (we got some wonderful tips from Ada and her woodworking husband, Janusz!).
Fine Motor/Hand-Eye Coordination Thru Beading
This week we were able to try beading for the first time. It was a big success! Everyone was able to place the beads onto pipe cleaners and fill up the entire thing. Now that we’ve mastered the jumbo beads, we will work our way down to some smaller sizes. What a great skill to have!
We also practiced using scissors with playdough, with mixed results. This is an area we will need to continue working on - and it’s such a challenging one! It’s hard to coordinate your hand to pull the blades open and shut while also connecting with the object that needs cutting.
Dramatic Play in the Gym: Selling pizza and ice cream
Lately, we have been very interested in opening up pizza and ice cream stores in the gym and selling our food for “five monies” (according to Una). We set up shop and ask our friends what flavor or kind they want before handing over the yummy treat. This might be something that will translate into our classroom, so we will get our kitchen ready for this type of play!
Home Fun #1- Let’s Learn About Colors in Spanish!
Click HERE if you need to see what our first home fun is all about.
Specialists
During Spanish with Ernestina, we are learning how to introduce ourselves “Me llamo Rachel.” We also did counting and colors.
Diane had us taste some more veggies this week: tomatoes, celery and carrots. There were not many fans of celery!!
Coach C has us all kick a big goal and do a special move at the end of soccer this week!
Music with Andrew was fun as always! He sang us one of Rachel’s favorite books- Jamberry.
Recipe: Make Oatmeal-Raspberry Bars at home
(The original recipe suggests chocolate chips, but they were fantastic with raspberries instead!!)
Reminders
The Giving tree is set up for everyone to take from. You choose one or two envelopes and buy presents for underprivileged children in the Bronx. Gifts must be wrapped and brought back to school by Dec. 9th.
School is closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov 28 & 29 for Thanksgiving
Our Holiday party will be on Wednesday, Dec. 18th from 4-5:30
School is closed from Dec 23-Jan 1. School reopens on Jan 2nd.