Fine Arts & Science Class - Exploring Classical Music
March 11, 2015, 10:37 AMPurpose: The purpose of this month long investigation was to inspire expose and encourage the children to explore classical music and some of the instruments that are used to play it. We provided a guitar, piano, violin, drums and a melody harp, as well as triangles, shakers, cymbals, tambourines and a special guest - a cellist named Ingrid.
What we discovered and learned about string instruments: Ingrid demonstrated to the class how different sounds can be created by plucking the strings, striking the strings or moving a bow across them. The length and thickness of each string determines the pitch. The longer and thicker the string, the lower the pitch would be. The shorter and tighter the string, the higher the pitch would be. The children found this fascinating and wanted to try it out for themselves.
Opening the violin case; what is in there? Look at that! It’s a violin! No! It’s a small cello. As the case opened, the children were thrilled to learn that this was a child’s violin, just the right size for them to play.
A demo on how the instrument is played. The children all noticed the bow. They were astonished to hear that a part of the bow was made of horse hair. They were invited to touch, feel and try out the violin.
Ingrid took requests from the children and entertained the class with the songs: Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald had a Farm and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The children also explored matching games, sound games and ribbon dance. We were also fortunate enough to explore the sights and sound of the woodwinds with the high school band. French horns, trumpets, tuba, clarinet, flutes and saxophones entertained the children. One member of our class wanted to be the conductor. He was, and did a wonderful job!
Conclusion: Most of the instruments were in the classroom for the children to explore for a full month. They never tired of it. There were a few children who were inspired to talk with their parents about lessons. We completed our exploration with a trip to a special children’s concert put on by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. A wonderful time was had by all.
~Joanne
What we discovered and learned about string instruments: Ingrid demonstrated to the class how different sounds can be created by plucking the strings, striking the strings or moving a bow across them. The length and thickness of each string determines the pitch. The longer and thicker the string, the lower the pitch would be. The shorter and tighter the string, the higher the pitch would be. The children found this fascinating and wanted to try it out for themselves.
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| Ingrid demonstrates the cello and guitar. |
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| The children loved to touch the cello and noticed how the strings were all a little different. |
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| Trying out the different sounds on the melody harp. |
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| How does this work? I can play a song. |
Opening the violin case; what is in there? Look at that! It’s a violin! No! It’s a small cello. As the case opened, the children were thrilled to learn that this was a child’s violin, just the right size for them to play.
A demo on how the instrument is played. The children all noticed the bow. They were astonished to hear that a part of the bow was made of horse hair. They were invited to touch, feel and try out the violin.
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| The violin is just the right size for me. |
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| I take lessons. The piano is fun! |
The children all waited to take their turn on the instruments.
Ingrid took requests from the children and entertained the class with the songs: Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald had a Farm and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The children also explored matching games, sound games and ribbon dance. We were also fortunate enough to explore the sights and sound of the woodwinds with the high school band. French horns, trumpets, tuba, clarinet, flutes and saxophones entertained the children. One member of our class wanted to be the conductor. He was, and did a wonderful job!
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| Matching the all the different families of instruments. |
Conclusion: Most of the instruments were in the classroom for the children to explore for a full month. They never tired of it. There were a few children who were inspired to talk with their parents about lessons. We completed our exploration with a trip to a special children’s concert put on by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. A wonderful time was had by all.
~Joanne
Comments
4 Hour Class - ...ING...
March 9, 2015, 12:44 AM
This past week was all about the "I-N-G"s. Check it out:
Ashton built some volcanoes
thankING
Making a thank you card for Brad at Island Pets
makING
Belly Buttons
and birthday cakes.
Bubbles with food colouring for art
visitING
Our Grandpals helped us to make dreamcatchers
Adam chased crows on the rocks at Second Beach
searchING
Noa searches for beach treasures
walkING
From the beach to the park on the sea wall
spinnING
At Terra Nova
zippING
holdING
Holding hands on the way back to the bus
Reminding ourselves that we are a big family!!!
We are lovING this beautiful weather! We are hopING that it continues this way so we can go on many more exciting adventures!!
Thanks,
Nicole
4 Hour Class - Lego My Gecko
March 2, 2015, 02:32 AM
This past week our class arrived to find a mystery at the lego table:
It was empty!!!
At first we used it to play with Ashton's Cobra:
Then we began to discuss where it went:
Domenic: Lego zombies ate it.
Weston: A ghost ate it and went into the wall.
Clayten: Santa came and put it in his sack.
Then we discovered this:
The Lego was in the kitchen!
But why was it there?
We asked Katie and Stuart, who were cooking in the kitchen,
if they were going to cook with it.
They said yes - cookies, blueberry pie, and strawberry cheesecake.
We returned to the classroom to talk about this.
Is it safe to eat Lego?
No
What would happen if the Lego got hot when they were cooking it?
It would melt.
So will they actually cook with it?
No - Katie and Stuart were just joking!
Ok - so why was the Lego in the kitchen?
What happens to the Lego if everyone is touching it all the time?
It gets dirty.
It gets germs on it.
So why might they bring it to the kitchen?
To clean it
How will they clean it?
Clayten suggested that they would put some in their hands and put it under water.
But we agreed that that would take a really long time.
Why was the Lego in those bags?
To put it all under water.
In fact, they were going to put it in the dishwasher!
Mystery Solved!
Some highlights from the week included:
Dressing up as community workers...
...and "fixing" this robot!
Going to Steveston Park
Where we did lots of climbing!
Even up the slide!
Noa, Mayu and Adam took the boat to the beach.
And Erik gave a helping hand to Weston.
We also went to Island Pets!
Where we saw a Moary Eel and a Reef Shark
A bamboo shark
Turtles
And we got to learn about, and touch a bunch of very cool creatures!
Like these baby Bearded Dragons
And this full grown Bearded Dragon!!
So many of the children were brave enough to try touching them,
And everyone found the information about the creatures interesting!
We were all very gentle, quiet and respectful.
We got to watch this baby Chameleon eat.
We also saw baby and "teenage" Corn snakes, a python, and a gecko (with light-sensitive skin)!
For more pictures and information, check out the board in the hallway.
Thanks everyone!
Nicole
3 & 4 Year Old Classes - Multiculturalism in our Preschool
February 25, 2015, 12:26 PMAlthough we are a nondenominational Preschool, we are appreciative of the many cultures and traditions in our diverse community.
We explain to the children that there are numerous holidays and traditions. Some we know and some we may not know. When there is a holiday that is being celebrated by a family at our preschool, or a number of families, we see it as an opportunity for all to share that experience. It allows us to learn and grow, and encourages inclusion.
It's wonderful when parents come into class and share a little of their culture with the Preschool. It benefits all the children in a very positive way.
Recently we brought a little of the Chinese New Year into our Preschool.
During Circle Time we shared the many ways Chinese New Year is celebrated: parades, fireworks, festive colours, traditional foods and more. A Chinese folk tale called “Little Mouse's Big Trick” was told using the 12 animals from the Chinese calendar.
The children practised writing Chinese calligraphy on a “Buddah” board. They spent much time and focus on this activity, taking note of the directions of the lines.
We made chicken chow-mein during class time, with all hands on deck helping.
Kung Hey Fat Choy! Happy New Year!
~Barbi
We explain to the children that there are numerous holidays and traditions. Some we know and some we may not know. When there is a holiday that is being celebrated by a family at our preschool, or a number of families, we see it as an opportunity for all to share that experience. It allows us to learn and grow, and encourages inclusion.
It's wonderful when parents come into class and share a little of their culture with the Preschool. It benefits all the children in a very positive way.
Recently we brought a little of the Chinese New Year into our Preschool.
During Circle Time we shared the many ways Chinese New Year is celebrated: parades, fireworks, festive colours, traditional foods and more. A Chinese folk tale called “Little Mouse's Big Trick” was told using the 12 animals from the Chinese calendar.
Sophia and Taylor admired each other's dresses, with Sophia wearing a traditional Chinese dress.
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| “Careful not to tear it Sophia!” says Taylor. |
More Chinese letters and words were incorporated into the art.
We made chicken chow-mein during class time, with all hands on deck helping.
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| “Is it ready now?” says Sophie. |
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| “I love it!” says Samuel. |
Kung Hey Fat Choy! Happy New Year!
~Barbi
Fine Arts & Science Class - Celebrations of Friendship for Valentine's Day
February 18, 2015, 09:38 AMFor Valentine’s Day we focused on friendship with the children through various activities:
We asked: What do we do with friends?
Following the tradition of giving each other cards on this day, children prepared cards ahead of time, put them in the mailbox and later handed them out to their friends. The excitement during this activity was obvious and the children were very proud during their deliveries.
No Valentine’s Day is complete without some heart art, and the children worked as a team to decorate giant hearts that are displayed in our hallways now. Make sure to check them out!
And remember…
- Circle Time
- Book: A Big Guy Took My Ball
- Delivering Valentine's Cards to Each Other
- Heart Art
- Party with Valentine’s Day Treats
We asked: What do we do with friends?
- We make cookies and cupcakes for Valentine’s Day! (Noa)
- We say ‘I love you’. (Elisia)
- You can eat with your friends (Kyle)
- We love other people when they are our friends (William)
- We play together! (Nicholas)
- Friends don’t make somebody get hurt (Jaylen)
- We bring them marbles to build stuff together (Caleb)
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| We hold hands on our way to... |
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| ....build a house for our play date! |
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| We make cookies and... |
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| ... we bring each other marbles to play together! |
Our book’s message was that everyone needs and wants friends, no matter how big or small we are.
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| We are sad when someone’s not a friend… |
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| …and we’re happy when we get to play with friends! |
No Valentine’s Day is complete without some heart art, and the children worked as a team to decorate giant hearts that are displayed in our hallways now. Make sure to check them out!
And remember…
Yours,
Michelle
Michelle