Our Rabbit Warren

We have a lot of rabbits living in our school yard.  Whenever we are out to play or go for a walk in the woods we see them out on the grass.  But where do they live?  Especially in the winter time.

This is the beginning of our first project for 2016.

Rather then removing the big cardboard box from our room I renamed it a Rabbit Warren.  Inside there lots of rabbit stuffies. 

Today one little boy spent most of his time in the warren with his mom.

Every once in a while he would pop out and ask me a question.  “Maureen can I stay in here and sleep?”  I responded, “Sure could you use some fabric to wrap up in?  On a near by table I had placed large pieces of fabric and he took one in to the box.

A little while later I heard my name being called, “Maureen we’re rabbits!”  I offered him some ears to wear.

His mom encouraged his imagination and participated in the role play that he was developing.

A little while later, from across the room, I heard, “Maureen do you have any carrots?”  I suggested he check in our play kitchen.  He found carrots and lettuce.

                          Next week we’ll add some tunnels to the warren.

Painting Trees

Our final art project for the season was painting trees; it seems like a theme came about.
              
Using cardboard I cut out a variety of triangles leaving both the inside and outside.
   
  
            
 
         Wishing you a Merry Christmas and will see you in the New Year.

A Different Kind of Tree

                  
A couple of weeks ago I set up this art activity that stayed up for just over a week; inviting the children to use watercolours to paint paper cut into Christmas lightbulb shapes.
   
The easels are little cardboard bookstands from Scholastic.  Our school librarian gave some to me after our school book fair.
     
The paint palettes I found at a thrift store, still in great shape.  Little cups of water provide the opportunity to observe how colours mix.
   
I had thought that we would string the light bulbs up in the window but the paint was not as dark as I had thought.  So instead we used the photo tree and clipped them on to it to become a second Christmas tree in our room.
                      
By Christmas break the tree was full and there was a pile of paintings littering the table.
  
What I always enjoy the most is seeing parent and child creating together and learning side by side.

Our Christmas Tree

This year we made our own tree.
 
I found the pattern over at Instructables sometime ago and was able to save it
                                on Pinterest till now.
                       
The pattern calls for 16 triangles cut from cardboard but I only had enough to make two small triangles and one medium.  It still worked out well and a good height for the children in the program.
     
I used large brad fasteners to put the triangles together with a bit of packing tape,
                          on the inside, to stop them from pivoting.
      
                           
After painting the triangles I placed it on a wooden stand that we use in our
                                                 sandbox.
 
This child took the sparkly garland from the sensory table and used it to decorate
                                                    the tree.
            
       It inspired us to create more decorations for the tree the following day.

But as we created we had to figure how to hang them on the cardboard.  Some had
                     sharp points so we could poke them through.
 
Others we could drape over and around.  The rest we used tape to attach them.
                     
                 We’ll be able to use the tree throughout the year.

Gingerbread Display 2015

Last week we visited the gingerbread display for the Boys & Girls’ Club fundraiser.
                        
The display is at a local golf club with a great big entrance and foyer.
                       
At the entrance there is two big staircases with a giant tree between them.  We stood in awe of the size of the tree and ornaments.
Then we checked out all the gingerbread displays.  So much creativity and inspiration of how to use a variety of materials.
 
    
 
                        The above creation includes a story. 
 
               
       
                  
                                     And finally this is ours.
                  
Cookies and hot chocolate were provided for us.  Then we went outside for a walk.
 
                   
         
This is the first year for this Christmas walk and at night it is well lit.  There is also a s’more making area, movie screen, hot chocolate and Santa available for pictures.  A wonderful addition for our community.