October 20th

Rainey B: This is How You Balance

'Balance' was the name of the game today. We went outside to try out Rainey Room A's newest creation. As Lucia attempted the newest course, Sylvie realized we might be able to add to their design. 
"We can add to their obstacle course. Let's bring some more pieces!" - Sylvie

Inside we continued our work on balance in our building station. Our building work du jour was 'symmetry.'

"Symmetry helps it balance so it doesn't wobble." - Jane

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Elsewhere, Maxon continued his quest to create a structure that was taller than him but Giacomo was not convince at first. How can we tell if it's taller? Giacomo recommends measuring it against our own bodies for comparison. Maxon uses his friends suggestions to continue working, using previous building strategies to eventually succeed. 

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"This is taller than Jordan!" - Maxon
"Is it?" - Jordan
"Measure it!"  - Giacomo
"How?" - Jordan
"Measure it with your body." - Giacomo

Mr. Jordan stands next to the structure

It's not taller than Jordan - Audrey
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Maxon builds to add height

"Now it's taller than me" - Maxon
"That's not taller." - Audrey
"I can add more." - Maxon

Continues to build vertically
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"Now it's bigger than me". - Maxon
"Yea! It is taller." - Giacomo

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Rainey A: Mindfulness and Miniatures 

"In 2..3… Hold 2...3… Breathe out as slowly as you can"

Every morning since the beginning of the school year, we have started our days with some mindful breathing. Our favorite is far and away the bear breath that encourages equal parts inhaling, holding, exhaling and pausing. Today we had a chance to introduce some new breaths such as Mountain breathing (as pictured) and dragon breath (similar to tiger breath in yoga). As the year goes on we will continue to use these breath techniques as well as others to begin our day. These days, more than ever, mindfulness and breathing strategies are a must!

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We enjoyed clay so much last week, we decided to bring it back today! While last week our focus was on exploring with clay, today we emphasized cutting and shaping the clay as we built miniature obstacle courses. 

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They can’t go inside the lava and this is a starting line and then they go over it and then they go here. Here is the finish line and I’m going to make it bigger. They can’t go in the tunnel because it’s a bridge. - Jack 

Look I can cut under, now look I made pieces. I’m just flattening it, cutting it and putting it on the obstacle course -CC
I need a little bit more glue right here -Marley 

It starts right here and then you walk walk walk and then into the tunnel and then I’m gonna stop. I’m working on the tunnel right now - Lochie 

I’m making an obstacle course. You jump from here and here and here- Violet 

Look I cut a little one, look I’m connecting it! It’s a dragon mouth! Look an upside down tunnel -George