Questions certainly arose when these small, round marks were found in the snow. Many had the idea that they must be tiny footprints made the night before. A host of animals were put forth as the culprits. We’ll have to keep an eye on the phenomenon and see if we can gain more clues.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1M_iGMvD4]
Welcome back to school! I hope all of you had peaceful holidays filled with rest and joy. During the vacation, I was reflecting on some of the play I’d noticed appearing repeatedly in various parts of the room.
Many months ago, two children created a “boat” using wooden arches and blocks in the construction area. I’m sad to say, I can’t seem to find a picture of this creation. Allow me to explain that the arch was set on the curve so that it would rock sideways if pressure were applied to either end. The rest of the boat balanced in the center of this waving contraption. At the time, I didn’t realize that this would become an activity captivating most in the class.
Since, I’ve noticed balancing fanciful creatures, other balanced block structures, and lots of experiments balancing bodies throughout the playground and forest. I’m looking forward to directions we might take as we play we these mathematical, kinesthetic ideas.
Looking more closely at the winter homes we saw illustrated in yesterday’s book, we decided to try our hand at creating our own. Today we explored creating caves and burrows using supplies in our block area.
Child A: “We almost had the same idea, but then we didn’t.”
Child B: “Yeah, but we were building the same thing, but I didn’t have enough blocks.”
“Now….how do we make roofs?”
Child A: “Oh my gosh! I know how to make this!”
Child B: ” Me, too! I have a great idea!”
Child A: “No, no…I have a great idea.”
Child B: “We need a little help. It’s like, falling over.”
Child B: “How about we slide it in and it holds it?”
Child A: “There we go! And put these here.”
Child A and B: “Yea! We did it!!!!”
Child A: “We need that roof on there.”
Child B: “We need something to block them.”
Child A: “We…..aaaaaaaaa [blocks fall down]…That’s ok!”
Child B: “This is the shelter so the relaxing place doesn’t get rained on.”
Child A: “This is where the garage is and this is where the balance beam for them to walk on.”
“We have two animals and they are separate.”
“I’m making a nice cave for my bear to live in.”
“I’m going to change my burrow, now. My cave is going to be different from my burrow. Caves are on the Earth, up top, and burrows are underground.”