Archery

While we were learning about castles the children were quite interested in
defending it with axes, swords and bows and arrows.
      
I found a couple of plastic bows and arrows at a dollar store and we created
a target for practice.   During that time I learned that our local Fish and Game
Club has an archery range.  I arranged for a tour.
  
The members set up a few extra targets for us at the archery range.
      
Our guide for the morning, Larry, talked to us about how the bows and arrows
were made.  He explained that the feathers help the arrow fly straight and why
they are two different colours.
     
Larry demonstrated how to nock the arrow and the correct standing position. 
When he said “course open” no one was allowed to go on the other side of the
wooden plank.
                
                  Then it was our turn to give it a try.
   
   
After a bit of instruction and a lot of practice some of the children were
getting the hang of it and trying it on their own.
    
                   
        I think she would have stayed all afternoon if allowed.
   
Not all the children could use the real bows at the same time so those
that were waiting made their own bow with a stick and string.
      
The trick was to tie the string tight enough to make the stick
bend (they were fresh cut sticks).
    
               They took these home to keep practicing.

And finally the adults had a turn at using the bows.
   
Archery is a challenge but a lot of fun and another great activity to get us outdoors.

Rice and Funnels

I follow a blog called Sand and Water Tables written by Tom Bedard.  I’ve been following for sometime amazed by the structures he creates in and around their sensory table.  Our table isn’t as big but I knew I could do something similar so this past week was my first attempt.  It’s a small step but after watching the children responding to the equipment I'm  motivated to do more.
          
I added a wire frame between the tub and orange shelf allowing me to tie the tubes in a high position.
   
Funnels were added to the top of the tubes and it was ready for the children to scoop rice into them.
     
A challenge was pouring rice into the funnels, as they flopped side ways, without the rice spilling all over the shelf and the floor.  A bonus was that this encouraged some of the parents to play in the bin.
              
For others they figured out to use both hands, one to hold the funnel and the other to scoop and pour.  Then one brilliant parent suggested we tie the funnels together - tada - they stay upright on their own.
        
This was a popular tub for young and old, boys and girls.  The children began to add other items like; tin cans, plastic containers, cups and spoons from the shelves around the bin.
                    
             The broom was kept handy for frequent clean ups.
                 Thanks Tom for being an amazing inspiration.

Pancake for One

   
I modified a pancake recipe so each child could mix and cook their own pancake.

Here’s the recipe:

   2 tablespoons flour                     1/4 teaspoon baking powder

   1/2 teaspoon sugar                          3 tablespoons milk

     1 tablespoon egg                                 1/4 teaspoon oil
               
Measure and mix the ingredients in a container that you can close. 
          Then shake, shake, shake to thoroughly mix.

       
                  Pour in pan. Cook.  Flip.  Eat.

A Visit to the Museum

       
We live in an area that is home to many fossils.  In our local river the bones from an Elasmosaurus were discovered.  The model of those bones and many other fossils are housed at our local museum.
                      
                               
While visiting the museum we did a scavenger hunt.  The children each had a photo booklet of items to find in the museum.  They pretended to be palaeontologists using homemade magnifying glasses to help search. The parents commented that they appreciated how the booklets gave their children more focus on each of the items.
                           
There was one photo in their booklets that didn’t have a name.  Their challenge was to figure out what it was called.  Most guessed ‘octopus’ which was really close.  It’s called a Dumbo Octopus because of the big ‘ears’ that are coming out of the top of it’s body.
                 
         My favourite activity was measuring the dinosaur footprint.
       
We all took our boots off and placed on them on the three-toed footprint.  It took 12 of our boots to fill the print.