The teachers in the East Wing noticed that the children are very excited to bring toys and other objects from home to share with their peers. We decided to take this as an opportunity to bring the idea of having a mystery box in the classroom. The mystery box will give the children an opportunity…
During a morning appointment, a group of children in the East Wing used a variety of woodworking tools to construct a balance scale. After an active morning of construction, most of the children were ready to transition to a different space. Eloise wished to continue and while she wielded the hand drill she asked, “How…
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As the children noticed that the fabric they used for the roof of the Fire Truck in the East Wing continued to go inside the truck, they decided to reflect about their problem with the class. Rio: Well, we have a problem. The fabric we used for the roof keeps going inside. Eloise:…
While working with dowels, armature wire, pliers and wire cutters, Aiden noticed that one of the coils he formed looked like the number nine. Aiden: This way it is a six but then if you turn it, it looks like a nine. I think it looks more like a nine. This inspired the idea…
It’s part of our culture to use drawing as a way to communicate and collaborate. The children use master plans as a way to convey their ideas and exchange information with one another. This first plan was an important beginning to their ongoing fire truck project. As the children approached adding wheels, there was a…
Professional Development in the preschool arena includes inspiration from other sites. The New School-West tours our sister schools: Growing Place, Branches, Bright Start, and more. We study the environment and how the teachers and children interact and are often filled with validation, curiosity, and drive to deepen our own work. So whenever we are asked…
In the West Wing, we focus on introducing a wide variety of tools, techniques, and materials for the children to use. Tape as a resist is one we are experimenting with now. …
The children were introduced to learning how to take care of worms to help the whole school garden. Both the West and East Wingers participated in feeding them kitchen scraps, cleaning the bins, and taking care of the bedding with recycled paper. We have seen the children’s innate love of nature come through in practical…
Before the Winter Break, we informed the children that a new child named Kai would be joining the West Wing when they returned. When we showed the children Kai’s family photo, these were the children’s questions: Ozzie: I want to know if he likes trains. Isla: Does he like to collect flowers? Miro: Does he…