Mystery Readers

We enjoyed having some more Mystery Readers this week!

Self Portraits

One project that we have enjoyed working on this year is having the children create self portraits. In doing this, the children are really able to study the different parts of their faces. In Danielle's group, the children each had one feature and had to figure out where it goes and then tape it on the face. All of the children were able to study themselves in a mirror before they started drawing. We also discussed the shapes on our faces - the head is an oval, noses can be like triangles, we can make dots for eyes.

Felt Board Stories

This week we introduced the felt board as a new tool for the children to listen to and tell stories. There are felt pieces which represent the characters or setting of the story that we put on the board as they are introduced. Our first story that we read was "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. 

After Rachel told the story on the felt board, all of the children wanted turns to put the pieces up and say what animal they saw. We continued to bring the felt board out during work time all week for the children to retell the story themselves. 

Exploring Clay

For studio time with Billie this week, she worked with both groups on exploring the material of clay. Some children have had a lot of experience with clay, while others have had none. The children were able to feel how the clay moved and changed in their hands as they attempted to roll, flatten, or mold it. Billie also taught the children about how the clay can go into a big oven called the kiln, which will harden it so they can keep it without it losing its shape.

Preparing for our Half Day Nursery Thanksgiving Feast

Our Thanksgiving Feast

The children set up their special snack together. In small groups, they all set up chairs, tables, place cards, napkins, plates, and centerpieces! 

Enjoying our apple sauce, pumpkin bread, banana bread, and fruit all together.

Mystery Reader Surprise!

Risky Play

Last Thursday, the teachers gathered at school for our Professional Development day, and spoke about the topic of "risky play". We watched a video by Rusty Keeler, in which he talked about different aspects of risky play. 

What is risky play? How often should we say yes? What are the benefits of allowing children to participate in risky play?

Children are constantly risk taking - whether they are trying to climb a new tree, or if they are going up to a child for the first time and asking to play. We encourage appropriate risk taking, making sure that the children are not putting themselves in a hazardous situation. We also believe that it is okay for children to fall down, since it teaches them that they are capable of getting back up. It's our job to not make risk taking as safe as possible, but rather as safe as needed. 

More Mystery Readers!

Rachel's group had three more Mystery Readers this week!

West Yard Adventures

The children have been enjoying their time in the West Yard this week and have started exploring more of the materials we have available. Upon discovery of a partially built structure, some children decided to build upon it and call it their "Pig House". Others performed on a wooden platform "stage", and some children experimented with how to get our seesaw to work!

Our Week in Review

Olivia the Turtle Came for a Visit

Olivia is a well known and loved box turtle who was found by the children of the primary class in our school's yard a few years ago. The primary children voted ultimately to keep her as a class pet and has been a member of ACP ever since! She now resides with Karen, one of the primary teachers and comes into school to visit from time to time. Last Friday the children got to observe her up close which inspired some to create representational drawings of what she looked like. The children were interested in what she was eating, how fast she was moving, and where she chose to burrow underneath her bedding. Some even moved their bodies like Olivia pretending to have a hard shell on their back.

The Joy of Fall!

One of the many songs we sing at school:

My lady wind, my lady wind. Round and round and round she goes, trying to get in. 

Through the cracks of the redwood floors. Through the peek in the keyhole door. 

In and out, and all about, shes trying to get in.

More Snaps from this Week