The Art of Comics - 4 Year Old Class
May 5, 2017, 08:00 AMOur four year old class recently learnt about the Art of Comics
during an engaging and informative visit to the Richmond Art Gallery. The Field
Trip was led by Melanie, the gallery's School Program Coordinator.
Melanie showed the children a drawing of a box, with a
character looking fearful as he stood over the box. She then asked the children
what they thought was in the box... “a ghost”, “a present”, “a scary present”,
“a scary doll I think”, “a cat”, “a dog”, “a train”, “a jack-in-the-box”.....
You guessed it Oliver, it was indeed a jack-in-the-box!
The children were then given crayons, to add colour to their drawings:
The children had fun looking at the extra large panel from a comic strip. Each were eager to share what they had found in the detailed drawing:
Melanie displayed snapshots of an age appropriate comic
strip, and asked the children thought provoking questions... How do you think
the character in the comic strip is feeling? How do you know the character is
feeling this way?
Armed with a dry erase pen and eraser, the children were
shown how easy it was to put emotion into a character by adding a few choice
lines and curves around the eyes and mouth. The children were very intrigued by
Melanie's interactive presentation.
Melanie also showed the children how to draw a character by
using basic shapes. After this lesson, she showed the children a few tricks. If
you put a bend in a straight line, suddenly your character has a bent elbow.
Add some squiggly lines to a circle... voila, curly hair:
After the presentation, each child was given a large piece of
white paper, pencil and eraser and asked to draw their own family:
The children were then given crayons, to add colour to their drawings:
A life-size CKCK television studio has been recreated so that
it feels like you are inside the pages of Seth's book:
The children had fun looking at the extra large panel from a comic strip. Each were eager to share what they had found in the detailed drawing:
Thank you again Melanie, our imaginations were awakened
during this Field Trip, and our drawing skills enhanced. All while we had fun!
Barbi
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Visit to the Nature Park with our 3 Year Old Class
April 25, 2017, 08:33 AM
We
recently visited the Nature Park and the peat bog, a watery land of mosses,
heaths, and shrubby trees.
Squirrels and chickadees are at the park all year round, but the Spring brings hummingbirds and warblers.
The
weather cooperated for our visit and the children enjoyed “Exploring the Bog in
the Spring”.
Keefer
was our friendly and enthusiastic guide, and the children were well engaged.
Our
first stop was The Hut:
Matias and friends enjoyed playing frog hop - tick tack toe:
Jayden was the first to touch the garden snake, helping his
friends overcome any concerns.
“He feels sticky and I think he feels wet” - Jayden
Off we go to explore the bog:
The bog is a wetland and the ground is waterlogged.
The children jumped on the spongy ground and watched the branches
on the shrubs bounce... as well as their parents!
“Whoa, it's like magic I think.” - Lucas:
With a special spy glass, the children were able to experience
what the world might look like through the eyes of a bee.
“I have so much feet.” - Dayna:
The children sat along a very long bench, happily watching the
activities of the busy squirrels and the birds flying in and out:
Thank you Keefer for an enjoyable and informative morning!
Until next time!
Barbi
Bubbles...Bubbles Everywhere (A Science Exploration): FAS M/W/F Class
April 19, 2017, 08:00 AMSensory play is an
important part of a childs development and learning. It provides children with
endless opportunities to explore and develop skills. Best of all, the
open-ended learning is therapeutic, as it calms and relaxes our minds.
With all this
in mind, we created an experience for the children. We added soap to warm water
and provided whisks, strainers, and hand mixers. First, the children wanted to
scoop the water. Since we intentionally did not provide any cups for pouring,
the children put their hands in the water and quickly learned how to scoop the
water by putting their two hands together.
Then, the fun
began. The children began to explore and experiment with the tools provided.
The children with the hand mixers realized that when they turned the egg
beaters, bubbles began to appear. The children with the whisks started to whisk
the water and more bubbles began to appear. Soon, we had a tub full of bubbles.
Strainers were used to scoop up the bubbles.
Children learn
through exploration, experimentation and curiousity. By providing a water provocation,
the children were able to learn and become interested in the subject. Without
thinking, we often want to answer all the childrens’ questions. However, by
providing an avenue for them to seek and answer their own curiousities, it
stimulates their minds and improves their critical thinking and scientific
skills.
Science is an
important subject and made more important by enjoying the understanding with
lots of fun.
Until next time,
Karen
Teddy Bear Picnic - 4 Hour Class
April 13, 2017, 10:00 AM
In our last visit at our Grand Pals, we had
a teddy bear picnic with them. All of the children brought in their favorite
stuffie and joined us in our activity.
When everyone was done making his or her necklaces. We had teddy grahams and apple juice for snack. The children were excited to use real breakable tea cups.
After snack, the children and the grand pals enjoyed listening to Linda tell the story of “We’re Going on A Bear Hunt”.
These teddy bears surely welcomed us to our
picnic.
We first made necklaces for our stuffies
using fruit loops and string. Both the children and the grand pals helped each
other to string the cereal in.
Of course, some of the children were not
able to resist eating the fruit loop necklace. I don’t blame them. The smell
and colors of the cereal were definitely too hard to turn down.
When everyone was done making his or her necklaces. We had teddy grahams and apple juice for snack. The children were excited to use real breakable tea cups.
After snack, the children and the grand pals enjoyed listening to Linda tell the story of “We’re Going on A Bear Hunt”.
The children went home with their own teddy
bear purses.
We had a blast visiting our grand pals and we
are definitely looking forward to our next visit.
Until next time,
Patricia
Provocational Art: 4 Year Old Class
March 28, 2017, 08:00 AM
Photos
of wildlife in Canada were placed on the Drawing Table, along with paper and
pencil crayons. Children were free to
draw without direction. Most of the children chose to replicate the animals on
the table. We spoke about these animals during the process, and at Circle Time.
Some of the questions and statements from the children:
“How
do they survive?”
“Do
they get cold and lonely?”“I wonder if the fox would like to live with my family and my dog?”
“The
raccoon looks scared that he's going to fall.”
“The
bear's not sleeping. I can see his eye open. He probably isn't comfortable.
He'd like my bed.”
The
children took note of the animals sharp teeth and claws, which led to a
conversation about hunting and survival.
Art
provocations are meant to provoke thoughts, discussions, questions, creativity
and ideas.
Provocations
come in many forms; a photo, picture or book, nature, an object, an interest
that a child has...., any source at all really.
Ultimately,
provocations allow a child the freedom to explore in an open-ended way.
Barbi