By asking a provocative question, Teacher Jennifer invited the “There’s a Fly on my Hat” song group into symbolic communication and story structure. Teacher Jennifer: How would someone know how the song starts? Archer: You could just show them. Jennifer brings out paper and pens. The children communicate about which symbols to include. The story…
[Show slideshow] 1 2 ► Here’s a peek at what went on at school!
A few children gathered at the mini-studio to work on partner observational drawings of sunflowers. The area had an arrangement of images of sunflowers and of fresh and decaying ones that invited children to cut, pluck, and examine their structure. Teacher Jen: When you take a closer look at these sunflowers, what do you notice?…
While creating start and finish flags for our ramp games, the children discussed the idea of having a New School-West flag. Together they have been exchanging ideas of what should be on our flag. As the conversation continues, we are finding some threads and look forward to seeing how collaboration on one flag can reflect…
Persona dolls offer the children opportunities to act out real life incidents and experiment with role playing. In the East Wing classroom, we have introduced dolls named Hector, Jane, Jill, and Sylvester and given them background stories. We use these characters during morning and afternoon circle time to play out common encounters and to encourage…
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…
After appointments are called in the East Wing, the teachers meet with the children to communicate the plan amongst the group. Ozzie, Leah, Harel, and Eliotte chose to work in the House Area while Olive and Miro chose the Communication Center. Ozzie: Pretend it’s morning, ok? Harel: Ya. Mom, mom, I’m ready for the party! Leah: Oh,…
For the last few weeks, the East Wing children have welcomed the West Wing children into their classroom. Both Wings have discussed changes to the environment and wishes for the new year. We’ve ‘tried on’ a lot of what the East Wing has to offer and started to see ourselves as a new group together.…
Partner Drawing is a process through which the children first share their individual ideas and then brainstorm ways to connect and illustrate a new idea in partnership. Sammy: You draw with a partner. You have to think about it first though. Naia: You draw and you tell a story with someone. Rio: Partner drawing…
We have introduced collage to the Partner Drawing that continues to be a focus in the Communication Center. Teddy and Jai worked together as partners on a drawing. After some discussion, they agreed they would work on representing the sea. The boys first worked on a drawing and then added different elements: fish, divers,…