April 20 -24, 2020

Journals, Books, and Stories

This week, KW children worked on various types of books.  Our Tuesday Zoom call was dedicated to journals.  We began with reflecting on art journals together:
    Louise - Art journals are for all of your art.
    Lily Bieligk - You can make books and do something like color in them or do art in them.
    Louise - On the last day of school in Rainey Room, when I came home, I showed my whole family.
Louise went on to show us a few pages from her KW journal from last year.  There was a page dedicated to friends that featured their photos, a page called "Wonderland" with family drawings, and a pink page.  Maren then presented her new journal, saying, "This is my notebook that I made.  All of them (the pages) are blank." Clearly it was time to get started.  
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As we worked in the journals, Jessica showed us a "happy accident:" a place where some paint had dripped unexpectedly.  Sally chimed in with a creative and compassionate response. "Maybe you could turn it into people, because it looks like people to me.  My friend told me if you make an accident, it still looks pretty.  It's like a masterpiece.  It doesn't have to be perfect."
From there, children suggested prompts that we could add as we worked.  These included a star (possibly a rainbow star), a  house, and a butterfly.

Thursday's Zoom encourage mark making to sound and music.  Joslin responded with marks, but also with descriptive language.  She said, "I heard a grumbling sound," and mentioned another noise sounded "...like a choir.  Like when somebody dies."  Indeed, it did sound very somber.  
The children's graphic responses were unique.  They used wavy lines, spirals, swirls, and shapes.   They colors were also varied as they represented the sounds and music.  

Children also began to write and illustrate stories this week.  Louise continued to work on a book she began while still at school:  The Little Mermaid Sees Her First Sunset.  Joslin started a new book, The Everything Book.  We are eager to hear how these stories develop.

Perhaps our favorite stories from the week came from casual conversations among the children.  One important part of KW is having lunch together.  As we eat, children talk about almost anything:  fun weekend experiences, favorite movies,  interesting events from Rainey and Tucker Room., etc.  These exchanges can also occur while working or walking.  For example, as  we ventured to Volta parking afternoon last fall, Austin asked Leigh to tell some stories.  She happily launched into a series of rather ordinary yet amusing tales about birthday parties, family trips, and the like.  It was an authentic moment of friendship. 
As they chatted this week, children exchanged stories about daily life.  Austin mentioned that he was the first in his family to get up in the morning.  Sally responded by saying that she went upstairs, got dressed, and brushed her teeth all by herself.  Relationships emerged as well.  Sally said that she didn't know Betina (Lane's nanny) but would love to meet her.  Siblings and other relatives were also topics of conversation.  
These genuine interactions and connection take place everyday when we're in the classroom.  While being on Zoom, is not quite the same, we were delighted to witness these conversations.  We look forward to sharing more stories.  These connections will be among the best memories of this historic time.  We will never again take for granted the power and magic of sitting, working, and talking with children. 

A Quick Look at Other Experiences

Rainbows

This symbol of hope was once again one of our big ideas this week.  Here's some exquisite examples that were created with a variety of materials.  We will  explore the science behind rainbows next week.

Folding Envelopes

Our Friday zoom focused on folding envelopes that we can use when we send messages.   Along with creativity, there was problem solving on display.  
   Sam - I was a little frustrated.  There were bumps on this, but I covered it with tape.  Now I'm past the problem.

Let's Dance!

"Hard times require furious dancing."
                                                 Alice Walker

Maren's digital drawing in response to the Shadow Ballet assignment.

On Thursday, we made marks to sound and music.  There was also some movement!  Luke McColough and Ellee Sale were dancing.  Grace M. was snapping.  Louise had some fancy footwork, and Lou Lou's head was bobbing.  To keep this going, next Friday's Zoom will feature a dance party!

Finally......

Congratulations if you have read this far!   We would like to remind you that you can go back to the Seesaw assignments at any time.  Your responses really help us plan and prepare for the coming weeks.  In addition, children's work can change over time. You may see growth and development in a number of ways.  Here's the list of things you may want to revisit:
Messages,
Paper Sculpture,
Shadows and the Shadow Ballet,
Hand-Binding Books,
Paper Crowns,
Outdoor Structures,
Mark Making, 
A Rainbow of Feelings,
Spirals in Nature,
Updates and Celebrations,
Writing and Illustrating Stories,
Rainbow Photo Hunt,
Cooking, 
Mark Making and/or Moving to Sound and Music

Have a great weekend.  We'll see you next week on Zoom and Seesaw!