An enthusiastic small group of Wilder, Hugh, and Frances went to the children's bathroom to draw the location of the constellation guardian. They were especially excited at the possibility of drawing toilets and sinks to provide context for the eventual school wide guardians map.

In the spirit of guardian discussions, we reintroduced transformation drawings, which consist of transforming an image into something different. On Tuesday Seon drew a building that transformed into a volcano. Ellie made a design that transformed into a dog.

Sometimes it takes time for an idea to take hold.  Today, more children were invested in the transformation drawings.
Finlay drew a centipede that turned into a fish. Hugh drew a race car that transformed into a dog. Jade drew a police station that turned into tentacles. Louisa made a dancing horse and butterflies that transformed into a dog. Lucas drew a red robot that  became a polar bear. Mimi drew a rainbow that became a golden ring. Saul made a truck that turned into an astronaut. Remy drew a cake that transformed into a butterfly. Lily drew winter that turned into spring. Cal made a Santa that transformed into mushrooms.

As children draw, they use a wide range of approaches.  Some children will make a more imaginative representation of what they see, all the while enjoying the process of making a mark on the paper.  Some children want to included every detail.  For example, as Lily drew the preschool door and the human guardian, she included the keypad for opening the door saying, ""I only did 1,2,1,2."  No matter how children choose to draw, it remains a way for them to express their thoughts and ideas. 

While five children were drawing yesterday, everyone else chose to play "Memory" for the first time in KW.   As they played, children had to remember to take turn, to focus on the cards other children turned over, and to keep each card is its place.  The cards featured North America Wildlife and children enjoyed hearing the name of each animal represented.  We'll be bringing the game out more often!

There's no KW next week, so we got into the spirit this week by making pumpkin pie.  We are excited to eat it tomorrow!

Children have been very invested in drawing their families eating together.  As we have mentioned, there are several challenges any time they represent a three-dimensional idea in two dimensions.  Here's some of Wednesday's work!

Last month, we completed our table runners to enhance our table setting and lunch experience. This month, we're adding vases for each table, which will eventually be filled with flowers, branches and other seasonal natural materials.  On Tuesday, our focus was using slabs and making impressions for the vases.  Although all KW children have experience with this material, their clay work has seldom required them to build with clay.  Since clay is initially relatively soft, making upright pieces involves challenges.   Using armature as a form of support allows the clay to remain upright until it dries. On Tuesday, we worked on two vases.  The first included impressions of doilies, and the second had ginkgo leaf impression.  As they worked, children grew more confident with the process and the challenges involved.  
         "We made one and then we made an easier one."       Remy   

A different technique was used as children began working on their third vase. This consisted of adhering overlapping circles together around the armature.  Bailee was the first to try this out, and then spent time instructing her friends.  The pattern of "circle, glue, circle, glue" was how the children described their work on this vase.