Hair Salon Week!

Hair Salon Week was a great vehicle through which we continued several educational objectives.  First, as the photos so beautifully illustrate, it was an excellent catalyst for interactive play as the children took on various roles within the play environment.  Secondly, it was a continuation of self-exploration as the children reflected upon and shared their experiences of visiting a Hair Salon for a hair-cut.  Thirdly the theme was rooted in Social Studies as it extended our study of Community Helpers. 

The theme was  brought to the art table as the children painted with combs and brushes. 

The children engaged in an "Author Study" this week, as we read exclusively from the work of Keiko Kasza.  The children loved her stories and readily declared their "favorite book".  They also learned that Keiko Kasza is both the author and illustrator of her books.  They can tell you that she likes to write stories about animals, and that her illustrations give you hints about the story.  They made me promise that we will read her books over and over again!

Read Across America Day was great fun!  It is so exciting for the children to come to school dressed as one of their favorite story book characters.  In addition, the children enjoyed literature in a variety of ways throughout the day.  The day is a beloved Parker tradition among all of our students and staff!  Many thanks to our librarian, Laura Salisbury, for making this day possible for our school community!

Divertido con Espanol / Fun with Spanish

The children were delighted to see Senora Jen once again this week!  In addition to interacting with the children during our play time, she read a theme related story to the children en Espanol!

Vocabalo de Semana en Espanol / Words of the Week in Spanish

Cabello / Hair

Cepillo / Brush

Espejo / Mirror

Peine / Comb

Looking Deeper: Exploration and Learning Through Play

This week I would like to once again take a closer look at Block Play.

At its most basic level, Block Play provides exercise of fine and gross motor skills.  Block building provides the children with opportunities to think, plan, collaborate and problem solve while moving freely and working with their whole body.  Mathematically, building with blocks helps the children to understand and practice classification as they observe and sort blocks according to size and shape.  They learn about cause and effect, spatial relationships, balance,

area, length, width, weight, and quantity, as they select, build, and put away blocks.  Blocks help children learn through experience the purpose of number.  In terms of stages, children begin by carrying blocks and simply piling them up.  As their development progresses, layering begins, leading to connecting blocks, facilitating the emergence of roads, towers, enclosures and unique building designs.  Block Play is also a catalyst for social interaction and language development, as the children work, share, collaborate and problem solve as they construct.

The above excerpt first appeared in my blog last November during Brown Week!  At that time the children were exploring and building with Unit Blocks.  In late November our Unit Blocks were replaced with Waffle Blocks, and the week prior to February Break, we rotated our large Hollow Blocks into the room!  Each of these sets of blocks are very different, however the stages of use, as well as the skill base that is reinforced and extended remains the same for each of them.  Providing the children with a variety of blocks helps to keep them interested in, focused on, and engaged with block play which is such a valuable catalyst for the children's growth and development in so many physical, social and cognitive areas. As a result of their continued engagement in a myriad of activities, not the least of which being a variety of block play, the children have experienced a great deal of growth within the classroom since November.   Interactive play is now abounding in all areas of the room, and this is quite evident within Block Play.  There is limitless planning and collaboration going on in the gross motor area as the children build Cars, Boats, Stages and Community Dwellings! Ultimately, play begets learning, learning begets greater sophistication in play, and greater sophistication in play begets greater sophistication in learning! 

Have a fun and restful weekend!