Blue Week!

Blue Week at its most basic level was about exploring the color Blue, and we certainly did this in a variety of ways.  At the art table we made blue collages, and painted and stamped with blue paint.  At the water table we played with fish that were "swimming" in blue water.  We kneaded, shaped, rolled and cut blue play dough each day.  At story time we sang the "blue ticket" song, and listened to books entitled, "The Blue Balloon", "I Love You Blue Kangaroo", and "New Blue Shoes".  More importantly for the children, this week was about getting to know one another, making a transfer of trust from home to school, exploring their new school inside and out, and claiming it as their own.  It was also about learning routines, making transitions, engaging in new and fun activities, and discovering that Parker School is a fun and exciting place!   As our photos so beautifully illustrate, we did all that and more.  It was a great week!

Looking Deeper:  Exploration & Learning through Play

Playing with pegs is an activity within the Fine Motor domain.  At the most basic level, Karsyn is exercising her fine motor muscles as she plays and engages in this activity.  Upon looking closer you will notice that Karsyn has also entered into the exploration and utilization of Math concepts as she has patterned the pegs into rows of green, yellow, orange, blue and red. Children have a natural curiosity and aptitude for organizing their world, and given the opportunity they will learn and master math concepts naturally!

Constructing with blocks is an activity within the Gross Motor domain.  Tommy is utilizing and excising the larger muscles of his arms and legs as he constructs his road.  A closer look reveals that he is executing a plan!  He wanted a road for his car, and I suggested that he build one.  The design was his very own, and he has demonstrated knowledge of symmetry as he has laid the blocks at approximately the same position side to side, creating a straight road.  He placed his car on the road and made some final adjustments!

Water play is a tactile activity that is great for the first week of school.  Water is a familiar, soothing, feel good element that quickly draws the children into parallel play.  This means that the children can engage side by side in a relaxing activity, and do not have to stretch beyond their comfort zone unless they are moved to do so.  If you look below the surface of this photo, you will see that Sam and Pradyun, meeting for the first time, facilitate a "play-date" for their dolphins!  When given the opportunity, children naturally find ways to move beyond their comfort zone and connect!

"Teacher, how do you get the water out of that there?"  Children are so naturally curious, and have such great questions in their quest to make sense of their world!  Just look at the rapt attention, and total focus on the faces of Emmett, Evvie and Annabelle as they watch the water table empty!  They helped me make sure that the basin did not overflow, and then they helped to dry the inside of the table with paper towels.  Science, problem solving, and classroom maintenance all wrapped up in this brief fun activity!

Have a fun and restful weekend!