Dear Parents of Room 15,
This week we focused mainly around the idea of exploring with loose materials. We set up the classroom with materials that consisted of pumpkins, squash, pinecones, leaves, gourds, building blocks, rocks and sliced wood pieces. The idea of exploring with loose materials is that the children are able to use their imagination, creativity skills and problem solving skills. These are our observations on how your children used the presented materials. Pumpkins, Gourds and Squash: There was a lot of conversation about the different sizes, colors, shapes and textures. Some children tried to stack pumpkins to see if one would balance on top of another. When it did not stay this way, one friend decided to lay a gourd sideways on top of the biggest pumpkin, and this worked. Another child tried to balance the smallest pumpkin on their head and some children chose to line them up. We heard the children discussing which was their favorite and why. Some of the gourds are dried out, so you can hear the seeds inside it when you shake it. The children were so fascinated by it, because of how it felt and what they were hearing. This prompted a conversation during our circle time about how things grow from seeds and what they need to fully grow. We will be continuing a conversation about the complete process of what happens to the pumpkins after they get picked from the farms, and what happens to the gourds when they dry out. Building Blocks: We placed a box of wooden blocks of different shapes on the carpet. Next to it was a box of wooden people. A lot of the children really gravitated to this area. We saw some children engaging in parallel play which led to a cooperative play. Even though at times the children were building their individual structures, they would still communicate with their peers about what they were building and even offered help to one another. When asked what they were building, some of the responses we got were: “Observatory museum,” “High rise museum launcher” and “A launcher boat.” Another child said, “I have no name for it yet, I’m still building.” The wooden people were never used but the blocks proved to be a huge success. Rocks: The rocks were placed in a bowl in the center of the table and cardboard pieces were available on which to build. Some children made patterns of a big rock and then a little rock, some put the rocks around the outside of the cardboard forming a rectangle and some created their own picture. We will be continuing to explore with these rocks and to see what types of ideas your children come up with. Leaves and Pinecones: The leaves and acorns were out on the table with magnifying glasses. There were pinecones of all different sizes ranging from small to large. Some of them even had different scents. While this was not one of the areas most gravitated towards, the children that did explore it were interested in the smells and excited to explain how they saw the different sizes, and, of course, to share which one they liked best. Our circle time discussions revolve around Thanksgiving, being grateful, appreciating things we have and remembering that “kindness begins with me.” We are reading stories about the leaves changing colors, planting seeds and how to help them grow, and about being kind with our friends. Thank you to Leo and his family for spending Shabbat with us. Shabbat Shalom! Reminders: -Fall Friendship Feast- November 21st- this is for the children only, no parents this time (you will be able to join us for our Hanukkah celebration) -Thanksgiving break- November 22-24- NO SCHOOL
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