Gingerbread Creation 2012

For five years in a row our StrongStart has participated in our local
Boys & Girls Club gingerbread fundraiser. 
We create, make and donate it to their silent auction.

This is a joint project with our big buddies and it starts first
by brainstorming ideas.
     
Ideas of a race track, Santa’s work bench and unicorns were a few.
 
But one idea drew our attention as it was being drawn, “A Fairy Village”.

The next step was baking. 
The big buddies started with creating the main part – the fairy stump.
 
      
They rolled out gingerbread and wrapped it around a tin can. 
Then covered the top with more gingerbread, drawing rings on it
to make it look a little more real. 
Then they hand moulded tree roots and the four fairy doors that adorn the trunk.

Whew it stayed together while baking, yay!

Next, together the big and little buddies made fairies, animals, mushrooms, etc
that will be used to decorate the scene.
 

Next we had to prep any other materials like;
   
Dyeing coconut green for the grass, sorting leftover Halloween candy,
adding marshmallow wings to the fairies and adding coloured glaze to
the little cookies.

Time to put it all together.
 
 
The finished project!


Some of the proud creators
(sadly I’ve been sick for the past several days and we didn’t get a picture altogether).

How Do I Introduce a Topic

I received an email asking how do I introduce a new topic in a drop-in program. 

In StrongStart, families are welcome to come whenever they can.  
Which means I might see a family a couple of times in one week but not again 
for several, while others come regular days every week.  
I might see families for the whole morning or just half an hour.

The question also asked, do I start with a book, and read it at the beginning 
of the morning?  If they don’t come on the day or even the time I read the story 
then how do I catch them up to the story?

 
Thanks for the question Heather.  
  
Generally there is a lay over between what we we’re focusing on
and what will come next.

For example; we are still talking and playing about transportation
and we’ll soon be focusing on stars
(which will be connected back to our Fairy Lane project).

Yesterday I created a Star Viewing Station.
It is a large cardboard box (from our fire truck) with white Christmas
lights poked through the top of the box.
 
Today, a telescope was added

and books related to stars.

This is the starting point to talk with the children about stars
to learn what might interest them.  To talk with the grown ups
and listen to any ideas they may have on the topic.
Then I'll be more prepared to provide a variety of activities,
like art, stories, games, etc.

This is not to say that my whole room is based on one theme.  
So many children and so many interests means having a great variety 
of activities to meet not only their interests but also the developmental 
needs of all the children.

There are also times when introduction of a new topic is very spontaneous.  
If a family comes in excited and wants to share an idea then we build on it.  
We use what resources we have on hand.  
We use the school library.  
We make lists of things to gather for their next visit.

How do you transition from one topic or project to another?

Trains and Planes

 
Today was a perfect day to be outside and learn about trains and planes.
We headed to our Airpark to first investigate an old steam engine.
 
 
The bell on top still works and it was wonderful to hear it ring.

But the real attraction for the day was a walk around the small plane
air port.

One our grandfathers owns an ultra light plane and he brought it
out for us to enjoy. 

And we did by taking turns climbing in.

 
  
Even the grown ups were curious.
      
We had a good look at the instrument panel,
 
to compare it to ours at school.
 
Although we may have to create a stick for steering.

We`ll continue to play with trains too.
 

We finished the tour by watching grandpa Peter take off in his plane.
 
 
                                   Happy flying!