Disappearing Colors and Monsters

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Usha continued her week of sensory color mixing. Yesterday, children used trays of shaving cream and watched the colors change from yellow to orange to red to violet to blue. Adding dry pigments in primary colors of yellow, red and blue had two effects. The first, and more obvious effect was artistic - the colors changed. The second, added effect was scientific - the dry pigments absorbed the fluids in the shaving cream, making the whole thing nearly evaporate.

"Hey, where did my color go!" was the 'teachable moment' far more fascinating than the color changes themselves.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
No, we're not doing laundry. We used scarves today in our music class, singing about shapes. As the songs progressed, our square scarves changed to rectangles, triangles and smaller squares. We all know that attending (or teaching) at this school means doing lots of laundry, often. I'm not so sure the throwing and catching part of these exercises will fit in so well on laundry day.

TODAY'S STORY
Go Away Big Green Monster, by Ed Emberly. You're probably familiar with this deceptively simple book. It's brightly colored illustration is created by pages of solid color with shapes cut out. This volves with the addition of one facial feature per page, cumulating midway with the fully realized (and not very scary) monster. Each successive page removes one feature until the monster is gone. Literally, it is one single picture of the monster. The real purpose of this book is its masterful illustration of colors, facial parts and, most of all,sequencing. Each part of the illustration is removed in the exact reverse order by which it was created.
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Here's a link to . Any of us who went to school in the 70s-80s will remember his simple, step-by-step, how-to-draw books. Even though they run counter to Rhoda Kellogg's child-centered art philosophy, they're just so fun.

Back In Play!

The Room 4 Blog is "back in play".
The process of adapting to the updated Blogger site proved more challenging than expected, yet all is well again. Here are some highlights of our past week.



THE BOX PROJECT
The a shipment of new furnishings for the school meant one thing above all others: BOXES. More specifically (and spectacularly), large boxes. The large cardboard box is, quite simply the BEST TOY IN THE WORLD. Better than trucks, better than dolls, evn better than any high tech toy with a leaping frog on it is the ubiquitous cardboard box. Three reasons why:

1. SCALE. The cardboard box is 1:1 scale. That means it is not a miniature model of something else, but a true-to-life item that fits perfectly to the child's size.
2. IMAGINATIVE. It is everything a child can imagine, providing a platform for creative thinking and logical storylines. True, they don't seem logical sometimes, but a close observation reveals participants making sense of their world and organizing their thoughts. This is a key component for cognitive processing and acuiring new information. Within 15 minutes time, our structure was a castle, a rocket ship, a tiger cave, a haunted house and even a machine, a la Charlie Chaplin in "Modern Times."
3. INEXPENSIVE. Call an appliance/furniture store a few days in advance and they're usually free. At the very most you spend a couple bucks a piece for some large, sturdy, moving boxes and you're ready for takeoff! Note: a roll of heavy duty packing tape is essential when combining boxes.
   

Stage 1: PAINTING
The students had a great time painting these huge boxes with different sized rollers, layering colors and sharing observations of color changes that occurred when mixed and blended in different ways. The simple act of working on a vertical form that they could move around was a new experience, particulary when four rollers were lapping. Those boxes changed noticibly with each time around!

Stage 2: ARRANGING
This valuable stage is often overlooked. Here, children move the boxes around, shifting and changing the three dimensional space around them and the forms. One design had a "central patio" area that was nixed because it would only fit four territorial elbows at a time. Ultimately, we opted for a traditional tower with two galleries to provide adequate traffic flow through the structure.

Stage 3: CUTTING AND ASSEMBLY
A few simple windows, flaps and doors expands the functional possibilities greatly. Rather than cutting typical rectangle and square windows, I cut what shapes the students drew. The interesting part here is that the organic, rounded shapes they drew hold up far better than rectangles, where the corners inevitably tear loose and downward with repeated use and strain. They absolutely loved punching the shapes into the boxes once they were cut. This is why our building resembles cheese. Plus, the extracted shapes inspired a whole new extension to this project.

Stage 4: THE MOBILE
Art History, I love thee. Seeing all these flat organic shapes reminded me of the mobiles of Alexander Calder. Paramount in his work was an element not common to high art - fun. Paramount to this art form is the principle of BALANCE. Our initial lesson was in two parts:

1. Size Classification. We sorted the shapes in four groups - small, big, bigger, biggest. These were determined by which shapes fit between tape "stripes" on the floor, starting with the smallest.
2. Balancing Point. After connecting similar sized pieces, two to a stick, we sought the point of balance between each one. This enormously diffuclut task requires poise, patience, perseverence and a keen sense of touch. Once found, we'd mark that center of gravity with a crayon, so we'd know where to tie the string. Each successive round went a little faster.

All bets are off once we begin assembling them to one another. We'll likely be adjusting for a couple of weeks as the mobile sculpture grows. Since we have to begin with the smallest parts (subassemblies) first and work up to the larger, it will take a while. Hopefully our "architecture" will hold up that long. We have enough packing tape to make it last as long as Cher.

Here's a link to Calder's Circus on YouTube. It is just about the coolest thing you could ever show your child on video. Come to think of it, it's just about the coolest thing I've ever seen on video!

THAT'S ART WE CAN ALL ENJOY!

Movement and Music

When, at last, my work is done, I sing and dance with everyone..."

MUSIC CLASS
Today we had a rollicking good time with Annette. After our routine 'good morning' songs, we proceeded through some high/low excercises and into movement to recorded music. The big hit of the day was "I'm A Shoemaker," about a bloke who enjoys dancing only after he's completed his work. Looking at the photos from this session, I realize how little time their feet are in contact with the ground. It's maybe 30% at best. We're action-packed!

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
The raccoon group measured, mixed, cooked and cooled a fresh batch of purple playdough. Tomorrow the squirrel group will do the same. They can remember nearly all of the ingredients (cream of tartar is tricky) and about how much of each is needed. Even though we do it every two to three weeks, it continues to be a hit among our budding scientists and chefs. What? You've never had a playdough cookie?

TODAY'S STORY
Silly Billy, by Pat Hutchins. Every time Hazel Monster tries to play something, her little brother, Billy spoils it. When he wrecks the family game, she moves on to her doll house. Every time, he wants to follow. "Oh, let Billy try, he's only little." Hazel always follows with, "SILLY BILLY! You spoiled my game!" So it goes, from the game to the dollhouse to the blocks, to the train set. Hazel sees a pattern of behavior and pretends to sleep in the empty toy box. This time, everyone is eager to give Billy a turn. He falls asleep, giving Hazel the chance to rebuild her toys and return to the game with her family. Once again, the repetitive pattern coupled with picture clues made this book perfect for reading indepentently. The language patterns and sequences could be heard coming from our library throughout the day, building confident young readers.

Proof In The Pudding

Belle pursues Jabari in a game of Cat and Mouse.

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Sonya led both groups through a cooking project, becoming somewhat of a tradition for Tuesdays. The recipe for today was chocolate pudding. While they enjoyed measuring and pouring in the ingredients, the real fun was the mixing. Each student had a turn with the hand-held electric beater. They loved using this 'grown-up' tool. You experienced cooks can guess that the pudding was very airy and firm from all the whipping. Served after our usual nutritious snack, this 2 oz. treat was cause for congratulations and mutual thanks all around.

MOVEMENT!
Meanwhile, in the multi-purpose room, Usha conducted a two-part movement session. First, the students engaged in a game of cat and mouse, using a circle of friends as an obstacle. Our students exhibited remarkable agility and stamina. Second, they performed relays, balancing beanbags in their hands, on their arms, shoulders and heads.

TODAY'S STORY
What's Under My Bed?, by James Stevenson. Susie and Louie sleep over at Grandpa's house. After a scary bedtime story, they have trouble going to sleep. Grandpa offers a similar story of his own, from his own childhood. His grandkids easily figure out that the scary sounds were made by wind, tree branches, clocks and the like. As he finishes, their imaginations get the best of them, prompting the ending to all the Stevenson "grandpa" stories - strawberry ice cream.

Who's That Girl?

Meet Vanessa Rohrer. She a talented recent addition to our staff. Vanessa has assumed the position of "Floater Teacher." In addition to her qualifications as an early childhood educator, she has an extensive background in drama with young children. She has developed a dramatic arts program for Rooms 4 and 5. In Room 4, she'll be introducing concepts with drama groups on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00, and offer ongoing activities for practice and fun. The children already love to act out our favorite stories from school and home. Vanessa will enrich that natural learning process.

We are so fortunate to have Vanessa in this important position at our school. Having a "Floater Teacher" provides consistency and familiarity for the children when there are substitutions or changes to our schedule. Having Vanessa in this role will expand the repertoire of our multi-talented staff.

TODAY'S STORY
Frog In Winter, by Max Velthuijs. One morning, Frog wakes up knowing that something had gone wrong with the world. Everything is completely white, and it is very cold outside. Much too cold for Frog to take part in any of the fun that his friends are having with the ice and snow. It's even too cold for him to enjoy a snowball fight! After all, he is just a bare frog - he has neither fur nor feathers...Eventually the other animals band together to equip Frog with warm clothing and extra firewood. But nothing will really cheer Frog up as much as the arrival of the Spring.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...you make LEMONADE!

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Today Usha gathered a bag full of lemons and a juicer. Needless to say, operating the juicer was the favorite portion of the activity, and a pretty good workout, too. To apply enough pressure to activate it, they had to use two hands, arms extended, giving their shoulders an ample workout. They got every last drop of juice out of those lemons. Tasting the juice in it's natural state made them really appreciate the tiny amount of sugar and water to dilute the tartness

TODAY'S STORY
She Did It!, by Jennifer Ericsson and Nadine Westcott. When a mother asks, four sisters are constantly blaming each other for messes and such. Mom always ended up cleaning their messes until finally, she slipped and fell in the bathroom. In an effort to help mom recover, tthe four assume responsibility not only for cleaning the house, but also for taking care of Mom. When asked who did all the work, they reply in unison, "We all did it!"

Pinecones and Scooters

Samantha gives Aiden a spirited ride. He did the same for her in return.

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Usha brought a big bag of large pinecones for the children to paint and decorate. After first examining the TEXTURE and PATTERN, the students painted the with toothbrushes, of all things. These turned out to be the perfect tool for reaching inside those deep grooves. After this was a robust application of numerous colors of glitter. The raccoons did this one today, so the squrrels will do this one on Tuesday. So what were the squirrels doing, that the raccoons get to do tomorrow?

SCOOTER RELAYS
In the multi-purpose room, the squrrels were doing scooter relays with four teams of three. Using color-coordinated stations, we did several different types of movement, each focusing on a different muscle group. First, we did laps by sitting and pulling with our heels. Second, we sat and went backwards by kicking our feet. The coordination required to "see" behind was good for balance and quite easy for their little, flexible bodies. Third, we "swam" like crocodiles, working the shoulder and back muscles. We finished with the best of all. Sitting with legs crossed on the scooter, our teammates pushed and guided us around the circuit. It was fast and furious, with roaring laughter overcoming any spills.

TODAY'S STORY
Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown. Sometimes a familiar classic of comfort is just right. A mother's perseverence to always seek her bunny provides the security needed for his wishes of independence. Our students were particularly fond of finding the little rabbit distorted to suit his imagination. It is a tale of reassurance. Why else would any of us run, than to have someone want to follow us? That's why children love the "chase" game so much. It's the human condition.

Trapeze Thursday

TRAPEZE ARTS!
Today we focused on fundamentals. We always begin by stretching all our muscles in Stephan's humorous way. We worked in groups of two to practice the "equal sign" maneuver. This one-on-one position if loads of fun and provides excellent practice with balance, alignment and strength. Afterwards, we adjourned to the trapeze suspended on the playground to practice safe mounting, hands-free balancing, and dismount on the big mat.

The Blue Egg, by Mollie.

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Yesterday we measured how much pressure (weight) could be suspended by egg shells. We continued our exploration of pressure by picking up blocks without touching them.

WHAT?! Without touching them?! Yes, that's how we got the students' attention, as well. In small groups the children took turns with this experiment.

By applying pressure on only the outer ends of a row of blocks, you can pick up the entire row. We started with one in the middle and added one at a time. All agreed that one was easy, but you had to "press" really hard to pick up seven.

TODAY'S STORY
By popular demand, we had an encore performance of Hedgie's Surprise, by Jan Brett. The description appears in yesterday's post (scroll down). There's quite the fascination with a naughty kid getting his comeuppance from a little hedgehog and a vulnerable hen. They love it so.