Another Simple Toy from the Thrift Store

An old paper towel roll holder and a basket of bracelets.

 

Sorting, stacking, choosing, placing

and tossing.

 

                                  Great eye hand coordination practice

Simple, cheap and fun.

The Mitten as a StoryWalk

Yesterday was our Outside Day for the month, 

 we visited the park with the Leprechaun Tree.

I prepared the book The Mitten by Jan Brett for our StoryWalk.

I picked the story for the variety of animals that are in it

and that they burrow into the mitt, 

connecting it to what we are learning in the classroom.

Our walk started in the rain but it didn't stop the enthusiasm of about 

a dozen children from coming out.

Like every StoryWalk we have done the children are excited 

to run from page to page.

I'm always impressed that they do stop and wait at each page.

As we read the story I introduced props.

The first was the white mittens.

Each child took a turn carrying the mitten from page to page.

I was at a conference on the weekend and bought the felt story of The Mitten

and used those pieces to stuff in the mitten.

Each was clipped to the back of the page that they were introduced.

After reading the page the children confirmed which animal should be behind

the page.

Then I'd bring it out and we'd squish it into the mitt.

The children began to investigate the back of the pages before we got there.

They were ready to help tell the story since they knew the animal coming.

What I love about doing StoryWalks every month is that the children

are practicing reading.

I see them finger tracing the words and telling me what they think it says.

By reading the pictures they are predicting what the story is about,

what is happening 

and what is going to happen next.

So much learning happens during a StoryWalk.

What Other Animals Burrow?

As we were playing with our rabbit warren I picked up this book,

called "Who Lives Here?'

The book shows many animals that live in a burrow.

It inspired our next step in learning.

We took down our big rabbit warren and in it's place we created

mini burrows for many animals.

With the children's help we thought of clues to describe which

animal would be in each burrow.

With each animal in their new home and clues to read aloud,

the families play and learn together.

I find it exciting when a lesson unfolds.

I believe if we keep our minds open, our eyes watchful

and listening to what is being said then

delivering a program becomes organic.

A Rabbit Burrow

I put my husband to work again building another toy for our rabbit play.

Hockey Time in Canada

It's winter in Canada and hockey is very popular.

So I set up a table top game for the families to explore.

Great games and lots of goals.

Counting and figuring out who has more points.

Trying to manipulate the figurines in their play.

Or putting them aside and using the hockey sticks themselves.

Predators

The children continue to play with our rabbit warren toy.

One day I overheard a family playing and talking about 

a fox chasing a rabbit.

I looked in my basket of animals but couldn't find a fox.

But it started the idea of 'predators'.

I did find a wolf, a cougar and some dogs.

All would either chase a rabbit to play or chase to eat it.

The rabbits slid down to hide in their burrow

while the predators barked above at the holes.

Over the weekend I went thrift store shopping 

and found a few more animals to add to our play.

One being a fox.

Starry Night Final Method

Our final art experience with Van Gogh's Starry Night.

We created mosaics.

I had precut the little pieces of tissue paper.

Using a paper cutter made it quick and easy.

Some children layered the colours over and over.

Others dealt with the stickiness of the diluted glue.

We learned what happens to the tissue when too much is piled on

and not enough glue was added.

Sparkly stars,

blue skies.

It has been a lot of fun exploring this piece of art 

and the discussions with parents.

Soon we'll look at Monet's Waterloo Bridge.