StoryWalk - The Jolly Postman

While we were at the Visitor Centre I set up several activities outside.

One was a StoryWalk.

 The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg.

There isn't much green space around the centre so I used a clothesline

to hang the story on a fence.

To expand the idea of mail I set up a mail box with envelopes and pens.

They wrote their address on the envelopes and put them in the mailbox.

I'll mail them soon.

I hope they are surprised when it arrives at their house.

Marmots on Groundhog Day

We spent the morning at our local Visitor's Centre.

They have a wonderful hands on discovery area.

I created a scavenger hunt of items to find in the discovery area.

It worked as a guide because there is so much to see.

I'm just sharing a bit here today.

But what interested me the most was the marmot display

and their burrows.

It's perfect for the children to crawl into.

I brought the stool so they could pop their head out of the top.

We discovered that there are small tunnels connecting both sides.

At one point a child thought he saw a snake inside,

so I crawled in with a flashlight

and discovered it was a wire hanging down.

But that lead us to discover that the burrows are connected.

We practiced, a little, looking for our shadows.

Shape Patterns

Last week I set up this provocation for the children to explore shapes.

They created a variety of designs from simple to complex.

They were encouraged to label their design.

Then document it with the camera.

A favourite activity.

It encouraged them to make more and more designs.

I printed their photos and left them on the table and encouraged 

others to try to copy the designs.

This became a child driven activity rather than teacher.

Groundhog and It's Shadow

Groundhog Day is this week and we've been playing with shadows.

By creating a groundhog hole from a box, 

the children could crawl in and pop up.

The question was, could they see their shadow/

This activity is fun from both sides of the screen.

 We can watch what the children are doing.

And they can practice making their own shadows.

Or the screen makes a great peek-a-boo game.

Day 5 Final Day of Literacy Week

Today our school showed their spirit by dressing as storybook characters.

I, the Mad Hatter, was joined by Pete the Cat.

Walking down the hall we met Max and one of the Wild Things.

Our Parent Advisory Council organized a book swap.

They asked families to clear out their unwanted books and donate them.

Then this morning classes were welcome to come and shop.

You paid by donation.

If you didn't have money but really wanted a book you

still got one.

The swap was great for getting books into the hands of the children.

And any money donated is being given to a great organization that helps

families with sick children called Y.A.N.A.

You Are Not Alone

Hope your week was as full as ours.

Happy reading.

Day 4 Music Performance

This morning we took part in a literacy event at our local library.

It was hosted by CV Lifelong Learning.

Nancy, one of the librarians, started off with a few songs.

Then the main attraction was Stella.  

She's nine years old and already has a music album.

I'm Not a Bunny is one of her songs.  

Written and performed by her, her little sister and her mom.

The space was packed.

Each child that attended received a book.

I loved that it was the Mitten so the children that attended our Mitten StoryWalk last week

could have their own copy.

In the afternoon, back at school, the kindergarten class visited my room and 

I told them a couple of stories.

I told one story using the overhead projector.

As soon as I turned it on the children were fascinated.

After the story they had a chance to make their own shadows.

I'll leave it out for the StrongStart children to experience tomorrow.

Day 3 Reading with our Big Buddies

Our grade 5 big buddies led us through StoryWalks today.  

They were set up throughout the hallways for the whole school to enjoy during

Literacy Week.

 One upstairs and one downstairs.

Having two stories helped us to spread the children out so waiting to read 

wasn't as long.

StrongStart is a drop in program so most buddy days we will have new little buddies.

It's wonderful to watch how welcoming the big buddies can be.

Do they remember being that young and attending StrongStart?

It warms a parent's, and an educator's, heart to see the trust that grows.

After the StoryWalk we had extra time so went to the library to read.

Reading together has become a familiar activity for young and older and they easily

and comfortably slip into the activity.