New spaces

 

Why does it look so different? JI

What?  Why did you move stuff around? RM

"It's different!" MS

"Why is the light table here and the table is there? JI  "Everything is different." RM  "Hey, did you know there was an old Birch room and the light table was here?" 

"Ms N is going to be SO surprised!" JI

"What happened?"  GC

"It's a different small world, what the what?!  We can build fun world house!" MS

Why did you move all this stuff? MT     "Why did you move that?" JB

"This is a cool space." HW

"Who moved the carpet? DM

"The classroom looks sorta different." CF

"It looks like a new school now!  It's PRETTY-PRETTY!" ESE

It was so fun to hear each expression as the friends came in today.  Some friends stopped and stared, others exclaimed loudly, and some took a minute to notice.  But what was common was the question, why did you move stuff around?

To help us think and learn in new ways!

The environment is another way we shape our learning.  Just as we create invitations that shape our specific work, we manipulate the environment in response to the children's interests.  

Our children LOVE building with loose parts.  Our map work has sparked a desire to build and work with small pieces  We noticed that the cozy feel of the light table space attracts our friends..  We combined these two loves and our friends have a new loose parts building space.

Our small world has always been a favorite space.  We noticed that many of our friends are playing "family".  We reimagined our small world and it is now a place to create a home for the families that live in our imaginations!

These birch friends LOVE to read.  We now have our own library space.  

Our meeting space didn't move much, but it was a strategic move.  It is centered away from the walls so we use our strong tummy muscles to sit up instead of slouching against walls and shelves!  Our bodies are strong! 

Our friends LOVE to write and draw.  Our circle table is now in a space we can all access easily.

Big block building is always a favorite.  This space didn't move much, but with the movement around it, it feels like a whole new space!

We are excited to see how our new environment shapes our work to come!

After such a fun morning, we headed our for walking Wednesday!

I wonder what we are going to do with all of those sticks?