Spuds in Tubs 2014

You know it’s spring when it’s time to plant spuds.
We needed to get ours planted before our Spring Break happens next week.
        
Our StrongStart program has participated in this BC Agriculture program for several years.  They provide the soil, seed, tubs, posters and curriculum.  It’s great.
        
The tubs were ready with a bag of soil in each.  Our seed potatoes had sprouts on them and we had to pick off the longest ones before planting.
   
      We mixed the fertilizer into the soil then dug holes.
      
The children picked their potato and checked that they were ready to plant.
      
      They dropped them into the hole and covered them up.
            
        We also talked about what the seeds need to grow.
     
         And finished off with giving the pots a good soak.

At the same time we planted bean seeds.
We will watch and see which one will grow the fastest.
 
       
The beans are planted in these little beakers and will sit on the window sill above the spud tubs.

Book–The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo

You can’t go wrong with a book that has animal sounds, especially if your group involves toddlers.  Story time at StrongStart includes babies up to 5 year olds.  So to find a book that is enjoyable and keeps the attention of those various ages is a book that I will use again and again.
                     
This book, by Jonathan Allen, is a fun way to introduce sounds for each animal. Which keeps the young members of the group involved.  For the older children I used it to help focus on the first letter sound in each word.
                 
The first time retelling the story, without the book, the word bubbles were blank.  When introducing each animal and after the children told me the sound they make I wrote it on the bubble sounding out each letter.
           
The book, pictures and word bubbles were left for the families to explore and retell.  I noticed several families use it as a matching game.

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.