The Forest

Yesterday, we took our first trip to the Bird Sanctuary also 

known as "The Forest." There is lots to discover inside and Birch 

children talked about different paths and which directions they were 

going. We have been interested in maps and how to get around- stay tuned

to see if there will be any connections. 

Exploring in the Mud Kitchen

The mud kitchen allows the children the opportunity to interact one with nature.  They use natural materials to create many tasty treats.    

At the end of all the play, its nice to sit down and share with friends.

Marble painting

GOLD Objectives during play.

From our daily observations we see many of GOLD objectives during the children's play. While playing with the magnet blocks the children create many unique things. 

"This is a steam boat car.  It's going to pick up blocks."  PL

"I made an x ray machine."  RJ

These children are showing how to balances needs and rights of self and others, think symbolically, and engages in sociodramatic play.

Wonderings about the map

The children have been wondering about the map in our 

classroom. As you saw on the blog last week, we walked to 

Cora's house which led to other questions, wonderings, and conversations 

about where we live and what we use a map for. 

"This is the way to my house." -JB

"I know that is a symbol. Symbols are different kind of shapes." -RJ 

"That is where the eclipse happened." -MP

"I go on Rockhill to get to Elaine Rosi." -PW

"Blackburn park is where I go to play Star Wars." 

"I wonder where it is going to take me." -MR

"She lives close to me." -CI

"I go from here, and then I take this path and I get down here." -MR

"That is easier for me to go there. I hope that I'm a walker." -MR 

Visit to our Care Space on the Playscape

We went to visit the garden on the playscape.  Many of the children started sharing about what they know about gardens and how to care for them.  They talked about watering the plants and that they need sun to grow.  This led to a deeper conversation about how we can keep the plants that are growing healthy and able to grow.  We talked about keeping the garden clean and keeping the weeds from growing over the garden. What a great way to start caring for our garden.

As we sat, we noticed a few things that were very interesting:

A tiny red tomato.

"This smells like pizza."

"This smells like my bathroom."  (mint leaves)

"Butterflies loves our plants."

Birthday tradition

Last week, we talked about ways we could celebrate birthdays in

Birch. After conversations with small groups, we decided to design flowers. 

We have used the language of wire and paper. You can see some below.

On their special day, children will get to choose a flower.

We will also be making cards to help them celebrate. 

PW said, "We need to keep them in something like a bowl." 

We will begin that work next week.