September 24th, 2020

Stories from Pod B

Clay: “Score and Slip”
In the studio today, children worked to adhere different pieces of clay together using the “score and slip” technique.  A teacher guided them to understand that by scratching up the surface and using watery clay as a ‘glue’, the pieces have a better chance of sticking together in the kiln.
Fletcher continued building up his rocket from yesterday by adding two triangular pieces to the top.
Aida made a house.  She poked lots of holes in the surface and said, “Maybe we need more holes in it for it to stick together.”  Then she laughed and said, “I’m just joking.  I’m just being a jokester because it’s Hop Hop’s birthday.”
First Oliver built a rocket with wings and "boosters".  He constructed it very carefully using score and slip.  We put it away to dry, and then Oliver heard about Aida’s house and said, “I want to make a house for the mousies.”
Grace’s rocket transformed into a house.  She made a window which turned into a door.  She wanted to carve it out so the inside would be accessible. “It’s just like carving pumpkins”, she said.  Then she saw how dark the inside was and said, “I have an idea - we need a light in there."

Outside Time

Fletcher: "We found two feathers and we don't know where it's coming from. I think it's coming from the branch. A bird's nest that lives in the branch, and its nest is made out of twigs up in the tree."

Aida drew some characters from Bubble Guppies. Her idea to draw outside was inspiring to her classmates who decided to join her.

Rachel hears Fletcher giggling on the swing and asks what is making him laugh. "Nothing, I'm just dreaming," he said.

Calling Tucker Pod A on our new walkie talkie!

Taking a Trip on a Train....

In Blake Hall, we set up a projection of a video of a train going down the tracks.  Children reacted to the image as they imagined different scenarios while traveling.

Olivia: We’re going to that mountain! (Sings) We’re riding to the mountain, we’re riding to the mountain.
Fletcher: That’s not a mountain!  We’re going to crash!  We’re all going to die!!
Olivia: We’re not going to crash - we can stop!  Fletcher, we’re going into a tunnel now.  You’ll like it.  But it’s dark, and you can’t see anything.
Andy: I wonder what’s on the other side?
Olivia: There’s flowers and the train will stop.  And there’s flowers.  And it will beautiful and there will be a breeze.  A beautiful breeze.
Fletcher:  We have been in this canyon for hours!
Olivia: Yeah.  Is anyone hungry?
Andy: I’m hungry!
Olivia:  Okay.  Would anyone like a drink or foodie?  …Who’s driving the train?  No one is driving!
Andy: But you’re the conductor.
Olivia:  I’m just teasing.  I’m driving.
Fletcher: (sits in conductor chair) My job is to drive the train.
Andy:  Oh my gosh! We’re going faster faster faster!
Olivia:  I’m going to make some home spaghetti so you calm down. Fletcher can you drive a little bit faster?
Fletcher:  I can’t.  Too bad I can’t drive faster.
Olivia:  There’s no brakes?  I see brakes.
Fletcher:  We’re going to crash!
Olivia: I know, I know, everyone crashes.   We’re in the tunnel.  Everyone loves tunnels.  They’re so quiet and peaceful.  You can hear the music.  The ducks quacking in the water.

Pod B

Lane's Memory Box

(outside of box)
I have a box that has a platypus on it and dogs on it. The platypus has a stinger on its back leg. I has flippers to swim and legs to go on an island where it lays eggs. 
(inside)
Basically everything is attached. I have stars because last night was a full moon. I have tape of things I like: fizzy water, cheesy popcorn is literally my favorite popcorn. I have donuts, strawberry donuts are my favorite. And there’s pizza and a hotdog. The person is me.

The Giant Hopscotch
Yesterday and today, the children worked in collaborative small groups to continue the hopscotch project we started last school year (in February).  Pod A decided it was time to let the Pod B have a turn to work on it, too, so they'll be letting us borrow it for some time.

Construction - Animal World
Children used animals to play with the complex structure built yesterday. (see dialogue below!)

    Lane - A bigfoot is coming to smash the whole building and attack the animals. 
    Gigi - (Using a dog or two)   And the dog has to get to a circus, but he’s hiding from the monster.  He has to get to practice, but the monster is coming.
    Maren - (Joins in, adding the lights) I’m putting the lights where they (the animals) live.
    Lane - Yeah, because all the animals are scared of the dark.
    Gigi - Well, I don’t know if the dog is.
    Lane - Big foot decided not to come to the village.


    Lane - There’s a storm coming.
    Gigi - Well, the dog has so much fur that the rain doesn’t even bother him.  He can go out in the storm.  
    Lane - (With mother and child llamas, speaking to Gigi’s dog)  Can you please take my baby out for a walk in the storm?
    Gigi - Yes.
    Lane - Good, because I need some mommy time.  


Later…
    Gig’s dogs and Cannon’s hyenas are threatened by a hyena.
    Cannon - We’re freezing out the hyena.  (Using small plastic cubes to freeze and deter the hyena.)


A little later, Palmer’s yak family befriends Gigi’s dog and cat family.  
    Palmer - I’m building an apartment for you.   
    Gigi -This can be there visiting apartment where they stay when they come for a visit.   
    A large dinosaur threatens. 
    Palmer - We’ll protect you!
    Gigi - Thanks for protecting us!
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