Friday, November 18, 2022

Map Making

Earlier this week, we took a look at the maps that children drew last week.  The children had diligently included all the rooms and knew where to place the guardians.  However, we noticed some inaccuracies in these drawings. Children made observations about the relative size of classrooms and location of key elements of the school like the mailboxes. In order to create a more accurate map, children agreed that they could draw individual parts of the school and try to put them together like a puzzle.  

This was our mission on Thursday.  A small group started at the entry of the preschool and focused on the first two guardians that they encountered.  

Drawings of the door to the preschool and the human guardian.

Drawings of the mailboxes and the message guardian.

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. 

Playing a New Game

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!

Centerpieces, Continued

On our last day of KW before Thanksgiving, we worked on centerpieces.  Our ginkgo clay vase was out of the kiln, so we filled it with branches and beautiful beads, fabric, buttons, and natural materials.  

We also glazed our vase with the doily impressions.  Children were please with how their vases looked since they've been fired.
Ford - It looks so good.  My mom and dad won't believe it.
Cape - It's so beautiful.  It looks like it comes from part of the world.  Like Japan.  

This and that...

• On Thursday , we ate the pumpkin pie...to mixed reviews.  Hugh said it was soft and silky, but Luke thought it was slimy.  
• There's been a lot of building, especially with the new magnatiles. 
• Small world continues to be popular, as does message center.
• We had fun outside in the sunshine.

There was a lot of collaboration in the building area today.  There was a White House for President Sweetie and Jade's King Crab.  Cape later pointed out that the beautiful wall built by Mimi, Ellie, and Zari could be the fence protecting the White House.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!