As we talked at the
beginning of the year, the idea of gathering would be a research focus. Seeing how children enjoy gathering together
at the snack table; their delight in gathering acorns, leaves and other
treasures from nature; and knowing that gathering the attention of 22 four- and
five-year-olds can be tricky for veteran and student teachers alike, we watched
for how this class would lead us through this concept. And so it began at the open classroom event
prior to the start of the year, the children were observed building a
campfire. The lingering memory of summer
experiences provided a gathering connection to study; one we teachers didn't
plan. As we began to study campfires,
the children gathered materials from our grounds, drew plans, and negotiated
construction to develop cooperation skills.
Through this play, four distinct curriculum threads emerged: campfire,
tent, packing/equipment, and the nighttime.
Building the campfire afford opportunities for mathematical learning as
the children sorted and compared materials.
Literacy was explored in the packing/equipment thread as the children
researched library books to learn what was needed. They also practiced writing, illustrating,
and sounding-out skills as we developed word cards. The children developed ideas and practice
around balance and stability concepts as they worked together to construct a
tent by drawing a plan, making a model, and then building. This thread also proved to be an area
conducive to developing team-work skills dependent upon communication. The nighttime aspect of camping has provoked
the children to listen to sound and express their creativity as they think
about what might sound like what is heard. The expressive skills and paint mixing
experiences will be put to use in this thread of exploration. As we gather around our campfire, the
children will be gathering many opportunities to think critically, creatively
and as a community. The next steps will
involve exploring camping equipment and lots of dramatic play.
 |
| Wafic's painting of the many colors of the night sky |
How can you
get involved and extend the thinking at home?
Discuss camping
experiences with your child.
Email photos of your
child’s camping experiences to share.
Loan or donate
camping materials for the classroom to use.
Share your expertise
with the class.
View the class
photos on Snapfish and discuss the work with your child.
Further the children
have congregated around a project they call the “marble maze”. To prompt the children to gather around the
concept of motion and construction, we introduced the “slats”. These lengths of cove molding make little
ramps for marbles and balls to roll on and a great exploration of physics,
construction, problem solving, and cooperating.
The children’s initial play showed knowledge of creating momentum as
they set the first slat on a diagonal.
They have encountered many challenges along the way for which they
sought solutions. For instance, to keep
the marble from falling off, they built railings. To keep up the momentum, they incorporated
stair-like support structures to allow for multiple diagonal slats. Currently, they are solving the problems of
how to get the marble to turn when the slat track turns and how to keep the
diagonal slats supported without falling.
Throughout this endeavor the children have practiced problem solving
around many physics concepts.
Mathematically they are employing and developing geometric thinking as
they arrange the slats. In drawing plans
and communicating their ideas children garnered literacy experience. Social skills like listening to the ideas of
others and waiting for turns to roll the marble are being developed. Comparing the motion of different types of
balls/marbles and pursuing how to get the ball to turn with the slat track will
lead us on in this project.
 |
| Working on getting the marble to turn the corner |
How can you
get involved and extend the thinking at home?
Roll balls or
marbles around the floor with your child and discuss what happens when they
roll into things.
View the class
photos on Snapfish and discuss the work with your child.
Share your expertise
with the class… any physics majors in our community????
Encourage your
child’s curiosity about things in motion in the environment.
Outside proves to be a fabulous place
to gather, especially in the autumn. The
sunflowers in the garden have intrigued the children with their lofty height
and provided measuring opportunities.
Observing the change as the sunflowers drooped and dropped seeds to the
ground afforded the children the chance to develop theories and draw
conclusions, thinking like a scientist, about the cycle of life of this
delightful plant. And what better place
to write than in our garden! The chives
are the favorite of many to munch on as we march around enjoying the fresh air
and creatures, worms and roly polys and insects, with whom we share the garden. Watch for more to come about the garden
activities.
 |
| Reaching for the sunflower in September |
We look forward to sharing all of this and more
this Wednesday, November 12th, in an open classroom event from 5:30
to 7 p.m. Please stop in when you can.
+Peace, Cyndi
and Aubrey