Sensory Fun - Tues/Thurs FAS Class
November 28, 2016, 01:51 PM
This month, our preschool classroom has
been filled with multi-sensory experiences for the children to explore!
As educators, we have attempted to
provide plenty of opportunities for each student to see, hear, touch, smell and
taste using different activities.
When we focused on
“hearing”, we encouraged the boys and girls to try different musical
instruments and see what sounds they make. 
At our art centre, the children “listened” to classical musical compositions as they created masks by “touching” and using different types of materials. They were able to “see” their finished creations in a mirror when they were complete.
Last Tuesday we
observed the students engaging dramatically in the play kitchen where they
pretended to prepare different food items and “bake donuts” to share in a planned “pretend”
party!
At circle time, each child was able to “taste”
different types of flavours (lime, orange and apple sauce) on small wooden spoons
as they learned about taste buds. They enjoyed this so much!
Last Thursday we
asked each child to bring a piece of fruit of their choice to combine with
their classmates and create a yummy fruit salad. It was incredible to see the children so
carefully and capably prepare the fruit that they brought to share. This was an exciting exercise for each of
them…especially when they were able to bring such a yummy treat home to taste
at the end of the day!
We are looking forward to our Field Trip
to Safeway this week, which should be a great way to complete our learning
about our senses!!
Until next time
Teacher Lori
Comments
Mixing Colors - 3 Year Old Class
November 23, 2016, 08:00 AMChildren are drawn towards things that change suddenly like color
mixing. It seems to bring out the curiosity in them and further see what would
happen if I try another color and so on.
In the classroom we set up many areas for the children to mix and explore color mixing. Some children were able to grasp the concept of what will happen if I add a little of this color while others just needed to mix the whole colors together to see what happens.
In the classroom we set up many areas for the children to mix and explore color mixing. Some children were able to grasp the concept of what will happen if I add a little of this color while others just needed to mix the whole colors together to see what happens.
We had an interactive story called Mix it Up by Herve ‘Tullet
Cara makes the color purple and blue by mixing primary colours
Lucas prefers to use a paint brush to mix colors
Elliot is mixing colors
with his hands.
Keisha is looking at the
colors she has made
Painting on sand paper
with colors
Isabelle says "you are all blue"
Stephan is mixing colors
with an eye dropper
Dayna made the color purple
Jayden mixing colors in his hands. I think he likes the wet
slippery, feeling on his hands as he rubs both hands together with a smile
Koen proudly shows off the picture he has made saying "look Jess
I made the color purple with my hands”
Magnus mixing colored beads
Children are exploring colors and shadows on the white sheet
Until next post.
Jess
Smells Like... - FAS Tues/Thurs Class
November 21, 2016, 08:00 AM
This month our
class is exploring the five senses. Last week, we focused on our sense of
smell. At the art table, the children created their drawings using some scented
markers. Most of the children liked the smell of “cotton candy” which was the
pink marker and the smell of “ mixed berries” which was the red marker. Mia
jokingly commented that she wants to eat the pink marker because it smells so
so so good. The children did not like the
smell of “ fresh air” which was the green marker. The children enjoyed smelling
the markers more than making their drawings.
At circle, the children got to smell different scents and they had to guess what item it was based on the scent. I presented them with four different things that had different scents.
This is mouthwash.
When Alessandria smelled it,
she said, “This is mint!”
When the children smelled it, most of them said, “It’s chocolate!” Maybe they think it is chocolate because of the color.
This is lemon
juice.
When Rea smelled it, she said “Orange juice!” Sabrina agreed as well.
But Sarah was so convinced that it was lemon juice. She said “ Smells so sour
so it is lemon juice”.
This is perfume.
Most of the children did not really
like this smell. Maybe because
they have not smelled it before or the smell was too strong.
Until next time,
Patricia
Imagine your PLAY - 4 Hour Class
November 17, 2016, 08:00 AMLast week, when we were outside at the playground, I noticed that
Chloe, Keira and Sara kept running towards and away from the climber for a good
ten minutes. They looked like they were on a mission. This observation got me
curious so I went closer to the climber to hear their conversations.
After learning about this, I slowly distanced myself from the climber and the girls continued to play until it was time to go back inside the classroom. They even expanded their play by letting other children join in and moving to the big playground.
Keira asked Chloe and Sara to put on their underwater suits and get
the treasure. Chloe and Sara pretended to zip up their suits and they were
ready to go underwater. They then ran around and around the blue playground
looking for the treasure. Keira asked me if I could help control the submarine
and without hesitation I said “yes”! She asked me to climb up the climber and
showed me how to stop the submarine. She
left the climber and ran towards Chloe and Sara. The girls got some rocks and
brought them back to the climber.
Keira, Chloe and Sara told me that the climber can be anything they
want it to be. It can be a rocket ship to bring them to the moon, an airplane
to take them to Disneyland or a car to bring them home. Keira showed me the
buttons that can make the climber change into anything.
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| The girls discussing where they are going next... |
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| Chloe and Sara looking for treasure underwater |
Keira
showing me the buttons that make the climber change.
Observing this type of play outside at the
playground made me realize that it is important to give children time to play
with their natural environment as this provides them the chance to move their
bodies and use their imagination. Not rushing this type of play is crucial as
they need time to explore their surroundings and be able to tie in their play
with what is present in their current environment. It was such a pleasure to
see how their play unfolded and how happy they were together. I am looking
forward to witnessing more of this type of play when we are outside.
Until next time,
Patricia
Fun in the Sand - 3 year old Class
November 14, 2016, 09:00 AMThe children had a wonderful time playing in the sandbox today. They
were laughing, communicating and working both independently as well as
together. The weather was unseasonably warm, and having rained the day before,
the puddles were very inviting, and accentuated the play.
Sand-Play is a simple activity that has so much to offer children.
Sand is a soothing, entertaining and open-ended medium. Very young children can
simply sit in sand and take in the texture and qualities of the medium. Older
children with more sophisticated thought processes can use sand for
exploration and creative play.
Sand-Play promotes physical development. By digging, pouring,
sifting and scooping, children use their upper bodies and arms in ways that
many of their other toys don't require them to do. Large amounts of sand can
become very heavy when weighted down with water, and can use a lot of muscle
power to dig and transport from one area to another.
Sand-Play can be the ideal opportunity to further the development
of the minds and bodies of children. No matter the age or development level of
the child, sand offers an opportunity to explore and experiment in a safe and
inviting environment.
It was thoroughly enjoyable watching the children play in the sand
today. While dropping wet sand into a bucket, Koen said 'it makes a glickity
glok' sound. I listened and indeed, that was the sound it made!!
Until next time!
Barbi