Thursday, October 8, 2020

10/8/2020

Pod A

Relationships: Construction Collaborations

All week, both inside and outside, children have been collaborating on elaborate block structures. There has been a lot of learning around concepts such as stability and balance. Through group work, children are also learning about others and forming new relationships. Children rely on each each other for specific knowledge, for example animal expertise and spatial understanding.

Relationships with Materials: Paper Sculpture

At St. John's, we also think about forming relationships with materials. This process involves understanding the properties and potentials of materials. As children continued to work with paper sculpture, they added to their knowledge of paper. How does it bend and fold? How can it stand up? Each sculpture is also a study in relationships. What colors work together? What pieces fit in that space? What is the overall layout and design of the piece. In addition, children are working on their small muscle skills as they manipulate the paper. After completing his work, Palmer reflected, "Folding's tricky. But now I'm good at it because I tried so many times." As you can see, the results are stunning!

Looking ahead to the book fair!

The Book Fair is almost here! All classrooms have been reading selections that will be available at this on-line event. Yesterday, we read "Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong'o. This book addresses skin color head on as Sulwe has darker skin than people in her family. This led to one of our best discussions of the topic so far. From yesterday:
   Gigi and Lane- It's okay that she's different.
Dakota - We all have light skin.
   Gigi - I have peach skin.
   Cannon - I have tan skin.
   Brooke - Do we know anyone who has dark skin?
   A few children mention their nannies.
Wolf - Victor
   Lane - Some visitors in our school.
   Children mentioned Dr. Daniel and Officer Atkins, who visited the Rainey Room last year.
   Wolf - That guy over there (indicating Jackson, the Business Manager).
   Palmer - Are there people who still fight about it (skin color)?
   Brooke - Yes.
   Dakota - Because people want to change colors, but they can't because that's the way God made them.
   Palmer - (Making a connection) Just because you have different hair than Wolfie, you don't fight Wolfie.
The children requested that we read "Sulwe" again today. We'll share more of our book reactions next week!

Pod B

Relationships!

Once again, it was a beautiful day to be in the outdoor classroom. Pod B had their Backwards Day and relationships were on full display here as well. Fletcher was building a tower, but it fell. Grace helped him rebuild it and they both contributed ideas for the structure.
   Fletcher - It's not a castle, it's a treehouse.
Grace - These are all the elevators. We're not ready for people yet. I think we need one more tall block. Here's where you get mail.
   Fletcher - Treehouse! Treehouse! Treehouse!
Grace - Did you know something? My dad can build creative things like a treehouse.
   Fletcher - My dad likes to build everything. But definitely not treehouses.
   Grace - There's a doctor in the house. He's getting his check-up.
   Fletcher - Maybe we could build this even bigger.
   Grace - Some more peole are going up. There's a mailbox right here if you want to see if, Aida.

While swinging outside, Aida said, "Swinging is just back and forth, like a sewing needle."

Speaking of Sewing.....

Once inside, children worked on sewing. Today children added beads to their creations. Children also put the finishing touches on their gift from Molly. We won't be sharing any photos here, as we don't want to ruin the surprise!