A New Provocation...

Based on observation, Melanie and I realized that the doctor play area was ready for a change. Yesterday Melanie had a fantastic idea for a new provocation: travel play. It connects well to our discussion about Alexandra moving.
With that in mind, new materials were added to the shelf: purses, wallets, money, cell phones, walkie-talkies, cases, bags, baby dolls, chairs and a map. Many children played with the new provocation today and their dramatic play incorporated interesting schema about travel/what you do on trips and maps/navigating. 

The first group to play was Wolf M, Olivia, Fletcher and Evelyn.

Wolf M: I got money in my bag.
Olivia: You guys are gonna drive. We're going to Florida to see my grandpa.
Fletcher: Who's gonna drive?
Wolf M: I'm gonna drive. We're here.
Evelyn: I forgot to take pictures.
Olivia: We have to go soon. Now I'm just gonna take some pictures.
Evelyn (pretending to snap a photo) It's a fluffy bird! It's SO cute!
Wolf M: Traveling away now. I need to take a picture of the bird.

The children are out of the car for a bit and soon Wolf M and Fletcher return.
Fletcher: The car might need some passengers. I'm gonna put my stuff under the seat. Ok, I'm ready.
(Wolf M takes the wheel and begins to drive.)
Fletcher: Watch out for that rock!
Wolf M: We hit the rock! BUMP!
Fletcher: We hit the rock and got a flat tire. 
(He calls for a tow truck) 
Fletcher: Tow truck, we hit a rock and got a flat tire.
Fletcher (to Wolf): It's gonna be here in 20 minutes.

​Fletcher: Everyone look at the gray dot. That's where we are. We need to go to the train station. Where is it?
(He spots train tracks on the map.)
Oh, train tracks! Here's the train station. We're too far. It's too far from here so we need to take a plane to get there.

The second group was Palmer, Oliver and Wolf B. For this group, the walkie-talkies were the catalyst that helped the travel narrative morph into police play. This has been an area of interest on the playground and connects with the ongoing theme of superhero play and the concept of good versus bad.

Palmer: Where are we going Wolfie?
Wolf B: We're going to the factory to see what's inside there.
Oliver (in deep voice on walkie-talkie) We're going to the factory to see what's in there. Get out police.
Palmer: Get out!
Wolf B: We have to stop them.
Oliver: Police is coming coming. Hurry up.
Wolf B: Polices go please!
Palmer: Police we're on the way.
Wolf B: We need a police man to get him get him.
Brooke: Who are the police getting?
Wolf B: A little boy. They have to fire him. He was mean to someone.
(into walkie talkie)
Wolf B: Police service, I'm on my way!

Palmer: Wolfie, we need to see on the map where the police station is.
(The boys look at the map together.)
Palmer: We'll put the map in front of our car to see where everything is so we'll know where to go.
Wolf B (pointing on map): Here's the police station.
Palmer (pointing to another location): Here's where the helicopter is.
(The boys followed a main road on the map, tracing it with their fingers to indicate how to travel from the police station to the helicopter landing pad.)

​The third group was comprised of Cannon, Maren and Emilia. Towards the end, Lane joined as well.

Emilia: Pretend I'm going on a trip.
Maren: We are on a trip!
Emilia: Pretend this is a plane.
Cannon: This is a plane!






​Emilia (looking through binoculars) Guys, I see a monkey!
Maren: Can I see? (Emilia passes her the binoculars.)
Emilia: I'm gonna take a picture.
Maren (looking through binoculars): I see it!
Cannon: Do you see a gorilla?
Maren: Yes.
Emilia (to Cannon) Do you want to see the picture of the monkey?
Cannon: Did you take a picture of the gorilla?
Emilia: It's a monkey, not a gorilla.

Lane: We're on a flight. Flight means when a person is driving the plane. It's flighting! Say cheese! (she snaps a photo of Emilia)
Lane (to Maren): Are you going to have fun with me on vacation sissy?
Cannon: We're going to Busy Bees.
Emilia: No, we're going to Florida.
Cannon: Ok!
Emilia: We're going to Michigan.
Lane: Guys I've been telling you for a week 'do not go without me.'

As usual, travel play was one of just many things happening in the Rainey Room today. The children also began sewing projects, worked to glaze Kurt's Christmas gifts, painted at the easel, created Christmas messages, read books and much more!

Last but not least..... the children have been working in small groups to create a goodbye gift for Alexandra.
For now... It's top secret!  Photos have been censored accordingly and only those with top secret clearance are "in the know."  Eight children have participated already... (Maren, Wolf B, Grace, Ellie, Gigi, Cannon, Lane, and Emilia).  We can't wait to reveal the finished product next week to our friend Alexandra... then we can share some of the photos from the process of making it.