Week 5

10/8/2020

Rainey A: Building and Brainstorming

At our morning meeting we returned to a discussion we began last week “ How can we help our Rainey Room B friends use our obstacle course?” Last week we discussed a variety of materials we could add. Lochie, CC and George suggested materials such as “chains, more plastic, carpets and wood”. Today we built on that dialogue, talking more specifically about what instructions or suggestions we could give to our RRB friends.

Elena: What would you like to tell our friends about building an obstacle course?
George: I love you.
CC: You need materials from outside. We need a long block. They can do any shape they like.
Marley: Blocks… play with our toys on the obstacle course.
Jack: To put like a round block and then a straight line. That line has a curve to go back, and has other materials, not just blocks. Like the bridge thingey that Brigitte helps us move.
Elle: How about you get a block and some animals and some sewing stuff.

Elena: What would you tell our friends about using the obstacle course?
Jack: If you have two pieces that are so close together and it just needs to get tied together we could use this (gestures to a chain in the construction area). Tie it so tight like a tightrope.
Elle: If you have sewing stuff, some on the ground. Maybe just leave some (sewing stuff) on for… decoration?
Violet: I couldn’t play because there were so many friends, I thought about it. Because I’m 3 there should be 3 friends (at a time).
Marley: Lots of jumping! (Jumps as she’s talking)

We used our time both in and outside the classroom to problem solve some more building. Today our inside building resulted in a beautiful animal city that featured “Water” for the sea animals and some fantastical obstacle course designs!( as pictured above) Outside we dragged stumps and balanced beams to create our most intricate obstacle course yet! No way are we falling in the lava this time!

Next week, we will begin to document our materials for the guidebook with drawing, photography and even clay! Stay tuned for more and enjoy the photos from today.

Rainey Room B

"TOAD"

Toad, who sits outside our classroom door, has drawn the affectionate attention of the Brown Room children. They've fallen for his charm and fallen in love! With this in mind, they wrote and delivered a message to us, asking also for a "YES" or "NO" reply. (see message below)
After reading the message, the children were asked about how to respond. Majority vote: "No."

Inquiring into their declination of Toad visiting the Brown Room for two hours brought up concerns and suggestions for alternatives. "They're going to poison him." said Janie. "We can draw him and then give that," Cedar said. Reassurance that Toad would come back, that he would not be harmed while away, and an openness to sharing was at the crux of their reluctance to say yes. In the end what we needed were answers and solutions.

Time to write a reply message to the Brown Room to get the ask our questions and get answers before making our decision...

Toad drawings by Jane (left) and Audrey (right) Toad written by Audrey

Tomorrow we will complete and deliver our message, and then wait for a reply. Meanwhile, we will continue exploring ideas about sharing "our Toad" with the adoring BR children.

T-O-A-D: Participating in Making the Message

We've got a message to write! Letters required. Let's start with T-O-A-D.

After spending some time with Jordan, Giacomo, and Maxon researching about frog /toad colors, due to differences of opinions, Cedar joined Jane in drawing Toad. When Janie finished with her writing, she moved on to the letter map, puzzle pieces demonstrating an extension of the work with letters. Audrey and Lucia remained curiously present.

Drawing the Sound of the Didgeridoo

After Maxon, Janie, and Sylvie commented on the sound of the didgeridoo in their reflections of the drawings following Jonathan's didgeridoo performance, we decided to have the children think about the instrument's sound . While didgeridoo music was playing the children were drawing the didgeridoo sound(s).