What are we exploring? Fine Arts & Science M/W/F PM Class
November 22, 2017, 07:30 AMAfter
exploring about pumpkins and more pumpkins, the children have now shown
interest in a variety of animals. We
started our journey with farm animals and now have gone on to jungle animals. They have been exploring the animal’s
physical features, how they are similar and different and their habitat. We have been categorizing in a manner where
the children can visually grasp how to group them and trying to make it into a
fun game. This makes it easier for the
children to associate similarities and differences of each animal. By following the children’s interest it allows
us to expand more on other areas of learning because we have captured their
curiosity.
While we are
learning about a variety of animals, we also take the opportunity to learn
about numbers, colours, words, social skills, creativity, drama, music, fine
motor skills and gross motor skills. We
try to incorporate and tie in other aspects of developing the children while
following their lead. The children may
not know it but they are absorbing, developing, practising and making sense of
the information that their minds are taking in, all why playing and learning at
the same time.
The other
day, the children were absorbed in creating snakes during art when Evan decided
he would like to print his name. He then
started tracing out his name and saying the letters of his name out loud. It then caught the attention of Raunik, and
Aikam, who decided they would like to also practise writing their names out
too. So, Jordan and I took their lead
and started printing names. This is an example of how we took their interest
and ran with it while it lasted.
I believe,
our job, as educators is to provide materials, activities, and set the scene
for the children to be able to engross them, intrigue them and captivate them
into wanting to participate, wonder and have fun.
Until next
time,
Deanna
Comments
Our First Big Buddy Visit – 4 Year Old Class
November 16, 2017, 08:00 AMOne of the very favourite activities we have at our Preschool, is
our Big / Little Buddy Program. We had our first visit by the Big Buddies
recently, and the day could not have been more enjoyable.
It was so lovely to see the Big Buddies drop down to the level of
the preschoolers, lower their voices and give the preschoolers their undivided
attention. They seemed to become innately nurturing, and the preschoolers
(Little Buddies) responded accordingly.
The children working on Friendship Drawings. The Big Buddies drew
a picture in pastel for their Little Buddies, and vice versa:
The classroom was quiet and peaceful as each child was happily
engaged with their buddies and the various activities put out for them to enjoy
together:
Teacher Jamie brought his guitar, and all the children, big and
small, joined in happily singing some old-time favourites:
The children enjoyed having someone available to push them freely
on the swing:
We look forward to seeing our Big Buddies again in December!
Barbi
It's Raining Leaves!!! - 3 Year Old & 4 Year Old Classes
November 14, 2017, 04:04 PMThe sudden change in weather brought down
the leaves from the trees. On this cold but dry morning we spent most of our
outdoor time playing in the leaves. The children enjoyed taking handfuls of
leaves, throwing them at each other or in the air, some of the children began
hiding in the large piles of leaves. We also went for a walk to collect leaves
so we could talk about the color changes that had taken place in many of the
leaves we had gathered.
When
the children were throwing leaves at each other, it is interesting to watch how
each child has a natural instinct to know that it's safe to throw the leaves
around and at one another. Could it be the positive response they get from each
other. Children, many times follow their instincts as this allows them to make an
instant decision based on feeling and the response they are receiving from one
another.
Until next time
Jess
Something Different - 4 Hour Class
November 8, 2017, 08:00 AM
On Monday, October
30, when I opened the door to let the children in the classroom, I noticed
something different. The children were nowhere to be found. Instead different
characters and animals came in the classroom.
Queen Elsa and an Angel helped Thing 2 put on more dress up accessories.
Luigi came to the
art table to draw.
A minion played
with the cars.
Everest ate a
cookie at the snack table.
Skye read a book.
A firefighter rode
on a tricycle.
A dinosaur drove the car.
Darth Vader came with us to gym as well.
Even though the children did not come that day. We
still had a lot of fun meeting and playing with the different characters and
animals that came to school that day.
It was very interesting to see how some of the
children were acting out their character. The children who were dressed as firefighters
were very eager in helping the other children. They saw everything as an
emergency. The superheroes were running
very fast in the gym. Speed was their super power. I hope everyone had fun
dressing up!
Until next time,
Patricia
Westham Island Herb Farm Field Trip - 3 Year Old & 4 Year Old Classes
November 6, 2017, 08:00 AM
Our
Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Classes recently visited the Pumpkin Patch at
Westham Island Herb Farm in Delta.
Some
of the sites you see upon arrival at the farm:
While in the hay barn, our guide explains about the various fruits and vegetables grown on the farm. Flowers, strawberries, garlic, carrots, potatoes, pumpkins and more:
Maisy,
the highland heifer, came out to greet the children:
Before heading out to the pumpkin patch, the children went into
the mini haunted house:
Scotia
tries to pick up a pumpkin but it's a wee bit too heavy:
After
a relatively short and scenic drive from Richmond through Ladner, we crossed
over a small, one lane bridge en route to the farm. This bridge has remarkably
been in place since 1911.
 |
| Westham Island Bridge |
Westham
Island Herb Farm is a community oriented farm and promotes buying fruits and
vegetables locally. It is part of the Ellis family farm which has been at the
present location since 1916!
Lucas and his sister play a game of tic tac toe:
We start our tour by visiting a barn that's been standing in place since
the Ellis farm was established in 1916:
The
barn houses the cows in the Winter:
As
we exited the barn, the farm's pigs were penned just outside and seemed happy
to see us. They were even happier to have a few corn cobs tossed their way:
Washing
our hands after visiting the cows and pigs:
While in the hay barn, our guide explains about the various fruits and vegetables grown on the farm. Flowers, strawberries, garlic, carrots, potatoes, pumpkins and more:
The
children learned about the keen sense of hearing a donkey has. When he hears
something, his big ears go back:
A
visit with the farm's goats:
Our
guide tells us one of the hens is trying to lay an egg. Scotia asks if she can
come in and help her:
Off
to the pumpkin patch to find our pumpkins of choice:
“Look
a Cinderella pumpkin!” Adson
Three
boys deciding if they can make it across the big puddle. Garrett decided he
can:
Toy
diggers put out by the farm staff for visitors:
Garrett
succeeds at lassoing the pony:
The
children spent a very enjoyable morning at the farm. All the senses were alive
from the sounds of the birds in the trees, to the smells of hay, pig pens and
pumpkins, and of course the feeling of mud under foot.
A big thank you to the staff at Westham Island Herb Farm for
opening your doors to our Preschool children and the community on a whole!
Barbi
A few reasons to buy your fruit and vegetables locally....
Local crops are picked at their peak or ripeness
(opposed to being harvested early in order to ship out to your local retail
store.)
By buying locally, you help maintain farmland.
Local food supports the local economy.
Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table,
and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased.