Wednesday April 13, 2022

Hair for the Human Guardian

Bea and Cate Study different types of braids before making their own.

Last week, as we were designing the head for the human guardian, Bea mentioned that she thought the head needed braids. Several children had previously pointed out that the head needed hair. So this week we are weaving ribbons into braids for the guardian. We started by thinking what types of people have braids and what the different types of braids look like. As we braided, we focused on fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and sequential directions. 

Right: Materials for braiding and decoration.  Left: One possible braid design

Bea: You choose ribbons that you like and then pull (two pieces) to the side. And put one over
Jade: Oh, you’re making braids. 
Bea: Jordan ties them on. And you tie them together
Bea: I think its hard to tie the braids

Left: Frannie. Middle: Bea. Right: Janie

Left: Jade. Middle: Cate. Right Jade

Left: Remy. Middle: Remy. Right: Jordan

Putting it All Together

​See Luke, you make a poof and pull the needle through. - Remy

Once we had our braids, it was time to attach them to the heads. The children were very excited if a little intimidated at the idea of attaching the vibrant braids they made the day prior. It seems overwhelming at first but Remy, Bea, Luke and Jade were ready to try. Each person took turns sewing braids into the head by pushing a small amount of "poof" together and sewing through that thin space.

I can sew this! I have a sewing kit at home from Santa! - Remy

Thoughtfulness and empathy have been felt throughout the project:

Luke: I didn't make one but I want to sew one one.
Jade: I want to help.
Jordan. That's very kind of you. This is not your project, though. Why do you want to help us?
Jade: I think I want to help you cuz I want to help my friends.
Jordan. Wonderful. Bea, how does it make your feel that your friends see your work and want to help you?
​Bea: It makes me feel happy

Front

Back

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Clay Tiles

 Finlay - "First, we were picking our symbols.  Second, we put them on with the glue gun, so it would be secure.  And it looks like it has armor on it."

Previously, a small group in KW used clay to create tiles imprinted with stamps. This week, the children decided that the message guardian should have those tiles incorporated into its body to better illustrate what it is protecting.

Jill - Do you remember why we made all these symbols?
Jade - Because our symbols are on messages and this is the message guardian.

KW has experience in a number of materials and adhesives. One we know particularly well is the hot glue gun. We also know to be safe with it. Wilder and Capers remind of our safety measures.

Wilder - Some of us wanted gloves (while using the hot glue gun) and some of us didn’t.  We were holding the parts that were not hot.  The green and the white parts were not hot.  And we squirted the glue.
Cape - The silver part is hot.

Reflecting on the importance of our own symbols:
​
Jill - Do you remember choosing your symbols in Brown Room?
Lucas - I chose my symbol because it was my favorite color.
Frannie - I picked the bear because bears roar like dinosaurs.
Bea - I chose my symbol because it was my favorite animal.  A spider.
Finlay - I chose my symbol because it can go in the water and I like the water.
Cate - I picked a wolf because a wolf is like a doggy, and I like doggies.  

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Messages for New Students

Part of our work this week is to make messages for incoming students next fall. Now that we know the names of the children, KW started making messages to welcome them. Our friends with siblings were particularly excited to write messages for their younger brothers and sisters.

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A Castle for Unicorns

​The weather has been wonderful and KW has enjoyed being outside. With new sand, the group has relished the chance to build creative and complex buildings in the sandbox. Bea, Cate, and Remy made a large castle for unicorns. Other friends build hot tubs, houses, pools and secret houses in the sand.