Jacob Arian-Bonin and his dads, Papa Sean and Dada Mike, are in Florence, Italy, for a family vacation. Today, we ‘visited’ Jacob on Facetime. We will be taking pictures of the mini Jacob that is represented in the classroom and sending them to Jacob to remind him of school and Jacob will send us pictures…
The children have begun the exploration of water color paints in the Mini Studio. Amy introduced the “warm colors” starting with red and yellow. The water color paint is applied to a shared canvas using pipette droppers, strengthening the fine motor skills practiced in the Atelier during the color mixing experiences. Zoe, pointing to the…
In our morning meeting last Friday, we informed the children that Jacob will be going on a trip to Italy with his Papa Sean and Dada Mike and will be gone for three weeks. Jacob let the children know that he would be picked up after nap so he has time to pack his suitcase…
At the East Wing Communication Center, popular laminated phrases are kept in a box to provoke writing. Some children start with a drawing that inspires words. Roen: It’s me picking flowers. All the A’s are the joy of my heart. My mom is so nice and I love her sooo much. My heart beats so…
Caitlin, Emilio, Leo, and Harrison explore the paper in the Atelier. When it’s time to clean up and move on, Leo begins unrolling a paper roll and walking around and around the light table. Leo: I’m making a home. Stop, stop! Teacher Cynthia: What would you like them to stop doing? Leo: I’m making a…
Grace and Josephine sat working at the natural materials and loose parts table in the Atelier all morning. They had made an elaborate fairy home and the fairies were seated around a wood cut table with jewels for food. They narrated their characters while they played. Grace: Ok! We’re going back to the desert! Josephine:…
Working individually on homes for bugs, Jacob G., Leah, and Charlie begin an appointment, co-mingling the East and West Wings in the Front Yard. Teacher Adriana: How can we work together to make a home for the bugs? Leah: The butterflies live here. The momma takes care of the babies. Jacob G.: Here lives the…
Cindy followed up with a group of children who wanted to make signs for the start and end of the track races that have emerged in the classroom. Based on previous observations, she gathered wood screws, dowels, skewers, hand drills, and wood glue to start the conversation in developing next steps. Teacher Cindy: What will…
At teacher in-service, before the first day of school, the staff met at the Venice Library to see what books would relate to the current children’s interests and welcome the incoming children for the new school year. We created a wish list on Amazon. The New School-West Link: http://a.co/dbE30z6 The Lavins asked for recommendations for books…
In the Building Space, Kayden and Crosby connect over a construction plan Teacher Adriana: What can we build together? Any ideas? Kayden: A station. Crosby: Yes, we are building a station. Kayden: It’s getting bigger! The children reflect with the entire class about the station and invite others to add to their ideas, too.…