Paper Towel Rainbow - 4 Year Old Class

October 23, 2017, 06:30 AM
In class we put coloured water into three mason jars, and added the primary colours, red, blue and yellow.

We then placed the jars in a circle with three empty jars in-between, and had paper towel rolling from one jar to the next. The children were very interested in this science experiment and what the outcome would be.

The process took a few days, but the children were able to see the colours absorb into the towels, creating green, orange and purple.

 


We followed up with an interactive activity allowing children to mix the primary colours using vinegar with food colouring, droppers, and trays filled with baking soda.







 
The activity was much enjoyed by the children, and the effect quite beautiful.

Some comments:

Matias – It looks like it's steaming!

Kaius – It's bubbling!

Lucas – It's like a colourful volcano!

Alara – It's like cooking with ginger!
 

Until next time :)
Barbi
WRCC
Comments

Taking Turns - FAS M/W/F AM Class

October 19, 2017, 07:00 AM
As the first month of preschool closes we are getting to know each other more and more every day. It is so exciting for us to see each personality shine through while the children participate in creative play, art, and circle time.  

Some children are more vocal than others when it comes to expressing their likes, dislikes, interests, and passions. In order for us teachers to learn more about the children and for the children to learn more about each other, we will often ask questions at circle time such as, "what is your favorite colour?" or "what did you do this weekend?". We will then go around the circle letting each child share their answers. However, many times the children are so excited to share their thoughts that a lot of over talking occurs or thoughts get lost in all of the commotion.  

In order to ensure that each thought gets heard we decided to make a "talking stick". The talking stick encourages children to listen when it is not their turn to speak. It is a visual reminder to practice patience until it's their turn to share.


So far we have found the talking stick to be a success! The talking stick has worked so well that a few students have even reminded us teachers to wait until we have the stick back to speak. The talking stick has helped to create so many special moments already and I can't wait to experience more!

Until next time
Jordan

 
WRCC
Comments

It’s Pesto Time! - 4 Hour Class

October 16, 2017, 07:00 AM

 
Cooking with children provides a hands-on approach to learning what we put in our tummies. Children love helping to prepare food. It exposes children to a wide variety of ingredients and encourages them to try new foods.

Over the summer, our herb garden grew strong and we had an abundance of basil. Coincidentally, Teacher Mariam brought in a big bag of beautiful cherry tomatoes from her dad’s garden. So, off we went into our first cooking activity!

We wanted a simple recipe with just a few ingredients so we decided on cooking pasta with pesto sauce and cherry tomatoes.

Last class, we had intentionally placed some of the herbs out. We wanted the children to observe, feel, smell, and experiment with the herbs. In the next class, during our morning gathering, we passed basil leaves around for the children to feel and smell. Some children said they liked the smell, and some did not. The children who were playing with the herbs in the morning seemed to like the smell better than the friends who had not played with the herbs previously.

We then asked the children to help snip leaves off the basil plant. A few of our friends were very excited and wanted to cut the basil off the main stems. We explained that we needed to take care of our plants so that they recover and regrow more basil. The children then took turns and carefully snipped the leaves making sure they were not crushing or breaking the main stems. When we returned inside, we washed the basil and made sure we had just the leaves and not the stems.
 

While waiting for our water to boil for our pasta, we cut tomatoes. With eager hands and butter knives, children were cutting carefully to make sure the tomatoes were cut in half.
 
 
When the pasta was ready, we prepared the pesto sauce. We added parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and our special main ingredient, basil. We placed it in a food processor and turned it on. Children watched the ingredients being chopped and blended into a thick sauce. We added the sauce to the pasta and mixed in the tomatoes.

 
Some children liked the tomatoes, and some preferred the pasta without the tomatoes. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed sitting together and trying the recipe.

 
Until next time,

Karen
WRCC
Comments

Squirrels & Acorns - 4 Hour Class

October 12, 2017, 08:00 AM
FRIDAY:

When we were at the park, the children noticed that acorns were on the ground and started collecting them.
 




 
 
Some of the children noticed that some of the acorns were broken. Keane said “It’s because people step on them”. Koen said “Squirrels eat them that’s why they are broken”. With that being said, the children were determined to find more acorns to feed the squirrels. We went around the community centre to look for more acorns.
When we had a bucket full of acorns, the children decided it would be enough for the squirrels to eat. Most of the class agreed that putting the bucket up on a tree is the safest and easiest way for the squirrels to have access to the acorns. We were deciding which tree to put the bucket on when Teacher Matt pointed out that there was a squirrel sleeping in one of the trees.
 


That made decision making easier for everyone. The children all agreed to put the bucket on the tree where the squirrel was sleeping. Teacher Matt climbed the tree and hung the bucket on one of the branches.
 
 
SATURDAY & SUNDAY:

We left the bucket up on the tree, hoping that the squirrels eat the acorns.
 
MONDAY:
 
The children were excited to check the bucket and see whether the squirrels ate the acorns or not.
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Teacher Emmett took the bucket from the tree. We saw water inside the bucket. Elliot said         “That’s rain water inside. Koen replied with “That’s squirrel saliva.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Then, the children discussed if the squirrels ate the acorns or not. Some children said it was too hard for the squirrel to reach. Jayden said “Maybe the squirrel was not hungry”. After all the exchanges of ideas, most of the children agreed to change the location of the bucket. They wanted it higher so the squirrels can easily find them. Teacher Emmett moved the bucket to a higher spot.
 
 
 
 
I am looking forward to how this exploration and discovery will unfold. Will the squirrels eat the acorns? Will the children think of other ideas to help feed the squirrels? Will this lead to another interest? Lots of questions still to be answered!
Until next time,
Patricia
 
 
 
 
 

 
WRCC
Comments

Friendships and Fun Activities! - FAS M/W/F PM Class

October 10, 2017, 06:00 AM
It has been an amazing few weeks getting to know each other and already we are on our way to a great start.  The children are settling into their classroom and friendships have begun.  We are learning a little more about each other as we spend time together playing, creating art, and learning about ourselves.


During art, we have drawn our self-portraits.  We used mirrors to help us draw ourselves.  Our self -portraits will soon be up on our board out front.  We also created some leaf prints with potato stamps.  We discovered that less was more when using the paint.  Some of the children decided it was much better to actual use the potato as a paint brush rather than a stamp.  The beauty of art is how ones outcome is so different from the next person even if you set out the same materials for everyone.  An activity that showcases individuality is a great learning moment of acceptance and pride in one self.

 

Another activity that the children enjoyed recently was baking.  We discussed safety rules before we begun baking in the kitchen and then we talked about the ingredients we were using.  The children enjoyed the hands on part of the activity.  We touched on some counting and measuring and most importantly, learning to take turns and being patient.  We are looking forward to cooking more together soon. 

 
 
Until next time, Deanna



WRCC
Comments