Books can be found everywhere in NSW. We have a large library of children’s books, bookshelves in the classroom, baskets of books in both classrooms, and even a basket in the Middle Courtyard to greet families as they transition into their school day. We strongly believe in the power that books and storytelling have to…
Under the Sand Area structure, Teacher Flora noticed an opportunity to practice listening skills in a naturally unfolding game. Harel set herself up as a storyteller and sat in a seat on the lower platform. The children playing under the slide formed an audience. When she finished her story, Isla continued it creating a threaded game.…
Paki (Olive’s dad, EW) joined us for our last Friday’s Farmer’s Market trip! Teacher Roxanne, Paki and Olive, Bea, Miro, and Archer hopped on the #33 and shared a strong image of children as public transportation riders, capable collaborative players with ideas of their own and curious, open foodies! The Venice Community Council had…
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…