Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Pied Piper of Riverwoods...
For the last two weeks I've had the opportunity to teach alongside "Mr. Even". Anyone who knows me knows I am extremely particular about choosing the individuals who get to work with my kids. I interviewed over a dozen applicants, and hands down Even's credentials were far beyond that of any other. But that's not why I invited him into our classroom--neither were the exceptional references I got from individuals he hadn't even asked for a reference! The ultimate deciding factor for me is how an individual can engage with the children. I look for someone who can get down on the child's level, invite the child to express themselves, and keep children engaged. I could instantly tell after only a few minutes watching him with the kids that Even meets all of those criteria! Another parent and I promptly dubbed him the "Pied Piper of Riverwoods" because of his amazing ability to pull out his guitar and instantly turn a chaotic classroom into a group of engaged, giggling children. He makes me want to learn to play the guitar.
Unfortunately he's decided to grace another classroom with his presence (apparently he has a family to feed...), but no worries! He's agreed to stay on to teach what I know will be amazing music classes! He'll be teaching 3 classes every Saturday morning--a "Go Baby Go" class for our littlest learners, "Wiggles and Blues" for children of all ages, and a beginner guitar class. Register now for these sure-to-be amazing classes!
P.S. Don't worry...your children will be returned at the end of the class.
Mini-Montessori Program!
I am so excited...our infant/toddler Montessori materials have just arrived! I am thrilled with the way we've been able to set up the "baby zone" in our classroom.
Our "Baby Bugs" have their own sink for hand washing before snack & bottle preparation and a just-their-size table for snacks & play time.
A cozy place for the tiniest ones to lie and relax or our toddlers to climb
and discover in our mirrored triangle!
Our shelves of hands-on learning materials designed specifically for our littlest learners.
Our "Mini Montessori" class meets Mondays & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Early drop off & "lunch bunch" hours are available. Cost is $4.00 per hour. You are welcome to drop off and get errands run or stick around and learn and play along with your child!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Timp Cave Hike
Our "nature explorers" hit the trail for a hike up to Timpanogos Cave! The hike was long (including the trip through the cave it is about 3 1/2 miles), but the cave was cool--in more ways than one!
All of our kids were troopers, but it was a LONG way to go! While we had a lot of fun in the future I would recommend this trip for children over the age of 6. We had a 1:1 ratio, but still had to be cautious as there are steep drop offs. And I wasn't crazy about the "Stay on the trail...beware of rattlesnakes" signs along the way. I don't mind snakes--but prefer not to encounter the type that bite!
We have been learning about different types of rocks and minerals, so it was fun to explore the different geological formations along the trail! |
Our Youngest Hikers |
We learned that Stalactites hold on "tight" to the ceiling, and to watch out for Stalagmites because they might trip you! |
A few more in our group |
Monday, September 10, 2012
Projects Work
"Project Work" is a concept that is becoming more common within the early childhood community as research continues to show children learn best when ideas are integrated surrounding a topic of interest rather than segregated into specific learning areas. Project work consists of extended studies of topics selected based on the interests of the children within a group. Since the beginning of the month I have been on the look out for common threads that may lead to a whole-group project. I began to see some threads coming together on last week's nature walk!
Our nature explorers group has been studying rocks and minerals. During some of our conversations we discussed the concept of "alive" and "not alive". Some of the children's comments during our nature walk brought me back to this concept of what "alive" means for the young child. When we returned from our nature walk I sat down with the children and guided them in a conversation about what "alive" actually means....this is what they had to say!
Collin (age 6): It's like something that can move.
Emmeline (age 4): Like us?
Becton (age 4): That something can move. Sometimes hands are alive because they move their fingers. I think a bee is alive, 'cause it flies and goes buzz...
Ms. Heather: Is there anything alive you see by us?"
Emmeline: The river.
This piece adding to the conversation was unexpected, but as you will ultimately see has become the basis of our study topic!
Ultimately we decided our definition of "alive" consisted of the following: An object is alive if it a) moves without being touched, b) makes a noise, and c) grows.
Now you may be wondering why I didn't correct the children and inform them that an object is alive if it requires air, consumes nutrients, and multiplies. The answer is simply this...
Children will have plenty of time to find answers. However, the further along they go in traditional "education" models they will discover there is limited time to ask questions. I could give children the answers and "teach" them any number of useful and interesting concepts. However, by allowing the children to discover and build their own theories I provide a foundation for children to actually learn how to learn. What this conversation did was show me the children have vivid ideas and an ability to draw conclusions based on scientific "research". What amazingly competent beings these littlest learners really are!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Early Learners Program
Our first official week of our Early Learner's program has begun! I prefer the term "Early Learners" to preschool, as I believe educating a child begins at birth, and I am not simply preparing a child for school...I am preparing them for life long learning. I have come to the realization that oftentimes for young children and adults alike more learning takes place outside of the classroom than in it! Nevertheless, we do learn as we play (and play as we learn)...here are some of our favorite activities!
Montessori Practical Life: Fine Motor Development |
Expressive/Creative Art |
Water Play & Float/Sink Experiments |
"Cooking" in the Kitchen |
Chillin' out in the baby zone! |
Exploring the Mirrored Triangle |
Helping with classroom clean up |
Montessori Color Tablet Work |
Montessori Knobless Cylinders |
"Measuring" Objects on a Nature Walk |
Playing "Hide and Seek" |
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
After a busy morning in the classroom our little group decided it was time for a nature walk. Before we left we learned about "predicting" and made a list of what we thought we might see on our nature walk...
Things We Predicted We Might See
Trees
Water
Waterfall
Ducks
Animals
Things We Saw On Our Walk
Trees
"Flat Water"
Dog
Insects
Bushes
Storm Drains
We reviewed our list after returning to the classroom and discussed some of our observations...more on that to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)