Adjusting the Sensory Table

I mentioned earlier this week that the children were walking right past the sensory table this week.  

It could have been that there was a lot of different play invitations elsewhere in the room or they just weren't interested in what I had available.

So each day I would add something new.

I added worms - yay, that encouraged a few more to play.

 Then I added big white beans .

That did it.  
Families are busy at home planting seeds and this reinforced their experiences.  
                             
Dig a hole, drop the seed in, cover and gently pat the soil.

 Discussion continued about what the seed needed to grow.
Water and sunshine.

The children also wondered why the worms were in the garden.
Wouldn't they eat the plants?  A grandmother explained how the worms dig tunnels so the water can flow through the soil to help the plants grow.  I love having so many teachers in the classroom.

Butterflies Emerging in Life and Art

It was a very exciting day for us at StrongStart.

Our butterflies finally started to show themselves.

We were able to watch the whole process and I think

the adults found it just as fascinating, if not more,  then the children did.

Pushing it's way out of the chrysalis

Almost out, uses it's legs to push

Letting it's wings dry.

While we watched we painted.

Wondering what colour the butterfly would be.

The children were asked to write a story about their butterfly.

It is quite joyful to watch life happen.

 And to document it.

Hungry Frog

Do you remember the game "Hungry Hippo"?  

Well I found one called Hungry Frog and the kids and their grown ups had so much fun playing with it today.

The room was quite noisy a few times with the frogs

munching away.

This is what I saw:

Taking turns. 
Figuring out where the balls went and how they came out.

Counting how many bugs (orange balls) the frogs ate.

Even trying to control two frogs at a time.

Playdough Flower Garden

Welcome to our playdough flower garden.

I used ice tea mix to make the brown coloured playdough.

Put out little plastic flower pots and garden tools.

Also found flower shaped eraser pencil tops that fit onto little dowel rods.

Tiny coloured square beads, toothpicks and long skewers with butterlies on one end, 

worked great for fine motor skills.

I found it interesting that most children bypassed the sensory table with similar items; dirt, flowerpots and flowers and went to the playdough table instead.  

What attracted them?  Or what didn't they care for in the sensory table?

I'll have to watch over the next few days to see if the trend continues or if they'll be lured to the dirt.

Ramps, Castles, Or??

 

Last week I found these mini finger skateboards at a dollar store.

Placed them out with blocks, ramps and tubes.
Watched and waited to see what would happen.

The first day most children went for what I thought was the obvious and built ramps to send the skateboards down.

Although one or two children built castles.  They also found little people figurines to add to their play.

Each day the play changed and the children would explore further with the materials to...
create a variety of scenes,

experiment,

 

and tell stories.
 
This little boy even had the parrot voice while telling his whole story - it was great to observe.

But my favourite was to watch this little one build and destroy with great delight.

 He's giggling and checking to see who's watching.

Sign of the Week - bean, grow

This week we are reading the story Jack and the Beanstalk so the signs we will be focusing on are bean and grow.

Little Bean in the Ground

Little bean in the ground  (children curl up on floor)
Sitting oh so still.    (with hands wrapped around head)
Little bean, will you sprout?
Yes, I will!       (jump up, arms stretch up high)