Parker PreK : Trail Blazers

We are very focused on our outdoor space, learning the boundaries, feeling the freedom of the outdoors yet understanding that we need to be safe, and just taking some deep breaths!

This week, we talked a lot about maps, trails, marking trails, and even naming our trail. We also talked about what is "out of bounds" and the gym teacher, Darcy, even came in to let us know that the tire traverse (looks like tire swings) are set up for older children, so that is something to look forward to but right now they are out of bounds.

Everyone in the classroom knows how to read the word STOP (smiles) and we created STOP signs at two spots on our trail that we're not to go without a teacher.

We had a great discussion about what would work for a trail marker. What would not get soggy, if it rained. Our solution was plastic sheets that we could cut into shapes and draw on with sharpies.

Everyone had a chance to decorate a few markers!

And then we went out to hammer the markers into the trees and run the trail.

Our next step is to name the trail-here's the thoughts we have so far: rainbow forest, rainbow trail, around about, cake, rail trail, and rainbow. We'll keep you posted!

We have sketch books and bags that we can bring outside, too, and there was interest in creating a picture, or map of our space. The map is going to take some time, and we'll definitely have a project that we can share with you when it's created.

There are maps posted in the classroom that draw the children's eye, and initiate conversations about mapping.

I'd like to share some thoughts that the children had about how they feel outdoors-We created a beautiful bulletin board that says "Let's Get Outside!" Each child decorated a page with their photo and bright colored chalk - they are so proud to see their work displayed!