Creek Explorers

 Being in the creek these past few days has been magically cool and wonderfully fun.  After initial splashing and moving quickly, the children settled into exploring and building with rocks, as well as looking for "dinosaur bones" and "fossils".  Our exploring took many forms and different types of energy.

splashing along, back and forth along the deepest parts of the stream

exploring in nooks and crannies

Finding rocks with "fossils" or rocks that look like dinosaur teeth

showing off a particular find

Watching the reflective water moving over the rocks and moss

Looking closely to see your own reflection

            wet hands make handprints on a dry log

Using a stick to measure the depth of the water...

gently touching a crawfish with a stick to see if it would move...looking closely...

reveling in the green space and climbing and dancing.......

splashing steps......

Moving rocks and mud to see if the water will move differently.....

                                            balancing!.....

joyful walking in wet places.....

                     comparing splashy steps

                            a good rock find!

                       deep and cool water on a warm day

                  gently moving along

we found a cozy place to sit next to the creek

Until Next Time,

Michele and Sara (special photo credits to SARA!)

Self Portraits

 

A child’s self-portrait can reveal many things. As with any drawing, it shows the development of a child’s fine motor, observation and focusing skills. But it also can give insight into a child’s self-concept. In other words, it is the best way for a grown-up to see a child through that child’s own eyes.

A child's self portrait is a communication tool.  The self portrait is created in the moment, after observation in mirrors, reactions of peers, and observation of people's sizes and shapes.  

Children's self-portraits often test our own adult observation skills because the telling elements are often in the details.  Does the child draw themselves tiny or big? Do they spend time at their work? What is the expression on the portrait's face? 

By exploring what makes each child "me", whether working by themselves or with a teacher, children are learning a great deal about themselves and enhancing their skills of observation, expression, and reflection.  When the children see their portrait displayed, they build positive reciprocal relationships with one another (sameness, differentness, stories, colors) as well as positive relationships with themselves.  

For this self portrait, as we have been creating new "me" books and measuring growth on our door with tape measuring, I asked the children to draw a picture to show how much they have grown.  Every child enthusiastically spent time creating a beautiful portrait!

Until Next Time,

Michele

Dedicated to the Great Outdoors!

 We spend a lot of time outdoors !  Every morning upon arrival, if the weather is mild and not too rainy, we are out on our playground space.  This outdoor time allows the children time to become reacquainted, run around, and be active and loud before we ask for our "inside voices" and "listening ears".  

After our snack, morning meeting, and indoor choices (that usually include artwork and projects), we are back outdoors, sometimes taking a long walk together, sometimes spread out in our outdoor classroom, or on our playground space again using the sandbox and swings and outdoor kitchen.  Being outdoors gives children the opportunity to engage and act without the confinement of walls and windows.  

This blog is dedicated to our love of the great outdoors!  

We have spaces where we can run ahead and STOP! 

This child was giving her friends a very nice ride on the swings!  KID POWER!

We explore and discover-these children pulled out a "root" and were sure that it was from an apple tree. 

Being outdoors allows us to take safe risks with our bodies and skills and learn what our limits are!

Being the line leader outdoors means leading the whole group through the trails.....

Sometimes we can lead a whole play scenario from above! 

Everyone was "brushing it off" in this picture! 

Until Next Time,

Michele