Falling Leaves

We gathered leaves and explored the shapes of leaves, the feel of them, and the colors that we see. The children created "leaf man" pictures from the collected leaves after we read the book Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. We painted tissue leaves, with watercolors. We used pine branches to paint (the children noticed that "they don't change colors" and that they are "always green".  We came up with words for our paintings to describe the sounds and feelings of pine needles and paints (check out the bulletin board!)

In block building news, the structures being built are of varying complexity. The children are given the space and time during the morning to move into and out of block play.  We observe them each day as they negotiate their plans. Some children are absolutely ready to work together for one purpose, some children are observers, and some children are not yet sharing their stories but are listening and watching others as they come in and out of the building scenarios. Sometimes we (teachers) sit on the rug to support the learning and ideas that are being shared.

 These children (to the left and below) are demonstrating "steady" buildings. There had been some difficulty in making structures stay up.

AND we've composed our rainbow book together, and each child will have a copy to illustrate as they wish. Each child made a statement about rainbows, and we compiled them to make a wonderful book that illustrated both our science learning AND our magical beliefs (yes, there are treasures at both ends of the rainbows according to 4 year olds!) 

Until Next Time,

Michele

A Study of Rainbows

We had the great good fortune to have a "rainbow expert" visit our classroom twice this week. Leianna, our K-5 science teacher, came in to our space with flashlights, prisms, and cds, and we learned about rainbows! If you ask your child the TWO things that are needed to make a rainbow, they might just answer "light, and refraction" and if they don't, you can remind them.

The 4's explored the science materials as 4's will, and learned quickly how to make rainbows dance on the walls, and how to make shadows with flashlights, and that light travels in a straight line.

 We were encouraged to come up with our own "wonders" that we might answer later. We wondered "Is there treasure at the end of the rainbow? Is there treasure to both ends of the rainbow? Is the color violet in the rainbow? How does spraying a hose outside in the sun make a rainbow? How do rainbows float?"

We were given ideas about making rainbows, and then given the chance to explore materials together. The children explored the materials with curiosity and interest. 

When a rainbow showed up on the floor, we put white paper under it. Leianna left us with a question: "Are the colors of the rainbow always in the same order?"

We will be collecting information about rainbows and our culminating activity will be writing a group book about rainbows!




In the meantime, our classroom continues to be a space of fall colors and art exploration, walks outside to look for seeds and signs of fall, and so much block building!

We conducted our own experiment in the classroom with paper and color....and after days of waiting the colors started to mix!

and, finally, applesauce!!!

 When we cook in the classroom, we sometimes ask the children if they might make a sign that says "hot." The answer is usually YES! and soon there are a lot of letters  being drawn.

Until Next Time,
Michele