Final Train Destination

Last week we wrapped up our focus on trains by visiting the only train we
                         have in our community.
 
We started with a scavenger hunt to find the bell, the light and firebox.  Also
          count the wheels and measure their height against the wheels.
        
                  
           
 

Back at school, before we left, we painted cardboard tunnels for the train
                                       to go through.
  
Our tunnels were a little small for that big train but perfect for the train
                      that my husband brought to play with.
  
  
  
He loves trains, has all his life.  At home he has model trains set up in one
   room and now he is beginning a garden railway with this larger scale.
         
           He had fun watching the children watching the train.

  
Knowing that the children would want to touch my husband's train I brought
               a smaller toy train that they could play with.


                     
Wooden train whistles from a dollar store made a nice keepsake for each child.

Tubes, Tunnels and Mazes

Last week I brought in PVC pipes and connectors with magnets attached
                    to the backs of the connectors.
                    
The idea is that the tubes would be tunnels for the big pipe cleaner
                         worms that were included.
 
I set it on the floor beside our worm composter but either the
    children didn't notice it or they weren’t that interested.

Only a couple of children attempted to put them together
                   during the whole week.

                 
This week I moved the metal board and tunnels to the sensory table
         and switched the pipe cleaners to marbles.
 
             
The children were instantly attracted and tried a variety of combinations
           of the tubes and connectors to make a maze.
        
The toddlers were also fascinated with the marbles and when they can drop
                  them into something it is even better.
     
I wasn’t sure if she knew what happened to the marbles after she dropped
them in.  We had her look into the tube, which she was happy to do but wasn’t
interested in the other end.  She was interested in dropping one marble at a time,
again and again and again.

Happy Earth Day

     
It was a beautiful morning and we spent the entire time at the pond.  
Here are the activities we did.

Sit, Look and Draw
 
          
We took some time to sit by the pond and look around.  Then drew something that we saw.

Pond Skimmers

  
Pond skimmers made from old embroidery hoops and panty hose.  We think that is pollen from the trees.

Building Boats

             
 
This is a favourite activity, first to use the hammers and second to set sail.

Sit and Listen

     
Take some time just to sit and listen.  What can you hear?  They heard lots of birds.
      
They also heard the Snowbirds as they trained overhead.

Earth Art


          
                  
By using natural and man-made materials the families created works of art on the ground.

Chalk Stenciling
 
 
          
This was the top favourite activity of the morning.  I created stencils using a die cut machine, laminated them and then cut out the center.  The children picked one, placed in on the ground then sprayed water on them.  Next they used a grater and sidewalk chalk to leave the shape behind.

Sun Prints
  
Thanks to Colleen, a fellow facilitator, for this idea.  The children placed various objects on dark paper when they arrived in the morning then before leaving they removed them to see if anything happened to the paper.

Play dough
                
The children used materials they found around the mat to create.

Camping
       

With pretend fire and s’mores.

Chairs with Dolls and Fairies
                
 
A quiet spot to make believe with a friend.

It was a fantastic day to be outside.  Hope you enjoyed Earth Day too.