Superb Soup

  

There is nothing like a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day. We had been hearing a lot about the homemade soups the children were enjoying at home, and they inspired a recent "show & share". Families were invited to send in their family recipes, with "kid print". It was a pretty open ended challenge that encouraged the children ...

                                                  

To play.

To explore.

To observe.

To create.

Many took us up on the challenge, and the children proudly shared their stories and recipes. These recipes were then featured in our kitchen, and inspired the little chefs at play.

Inspired by all our talk about delicious and hearty soups, families were also invited to send in empty soup cans (clean & without sharp edges), to use at another centre.

This centre presented many opportunities for the children to be creative and write as they designed their own soup label.

The ingredient list and directions were scribed for the children. They focused on sequence and told us what they would like written down. We modeled and drew attention to how words are sounded out, how spaces are placed between words, and how different texts forms and features are organized.

The choice of soups in the kitchen keeps growing. And it's healthy!

Thank you for sending in the recipes and empty soup cans. Your support is far reaching.

Thank you for visiting our atelier.

Musical Mornings

Last week, we had the honour of hosting "Blues in the School". For an hour every morning, all the children (JK-8) were invited to attend these lively assemblies lead by local blues musicians. We consider these opportunities a gift and we jump at every opportunity to be exposed to different genres of music!

Back in December, we were entertained by a couple of local high school bands (concert, stage & jazz). This performance inspired a fun centre which we set up in our kindergarten foyer.

The children counted out time signatures and played away!

Their interest even transferred over to writing music of their own!

The "Blues in the School" assemblies inspired some of the children to make keyboards, on which they demonstrated their knowledge of dynamics (volume ranging from a whisper to a holler) and tempo (speed of the music).

Black paper, white paper, scissors and glue. Look at the keyboard, what can you do?

Thanks for stopping by the atelier!

Wonderful Weaving

Working with the hands is an essential skill for developing fine motor skills, persistence and perseverance and brain function. While sorting through my basket of ribbon, I came across some that resembled netting. I grabbed the ribbon, and went searching for the yarn we had just used in another project. Paired together, the materials enticed the children ...

To play.

To explore.

To observe.

To create.

When the children pick up the materials to weave, they further develop creativity, dexterity and appreciation for aesthetics. 

The art of weaving also branches into other curriculum strands. The spatial sense that is exercised when stitching the yarn through the netting, is an important math skill.

It is often said that confidence is born of experience and understanding. When we gain insight into how objects and art are fashioned, I believe we connect with the items and materials we use. We have not lost sight of the fact that when interesting materials and opportunities are presented; and the children are drawn to them, they are empowered to confront a challenge. We are so proud of their creative responses.

Thank you for visiting the atelier.

Beautiful Blue

The strangest materials will sometimes inspire us to create random art. One day, when pulling the popsicle sticks from an old glue pot, one of those unexpected "aha moments" happened, and the children were excited for an opportunity ...

To play.

To explore.

To observe.

To create.

Glue pot leftovers, on cardstock.

Various shades of blue were set out, and there were lots of questions about what was expected. We answered with our usual, "What do you want to do?"  They painted, and noted the different shades as it was applied. 

Once dried, various shades of blue yarn, pencil crayons and oil pastels were left out to inspire creativity. They took the bait!

Fine motor skills were exercised as they wrapped the yarn around the popsicle sticks, and stretched the material across the work of art.

Voila! I hesitate to say that this is the final product. Once it is up on the wall, the children may have more ideas as to how they can embellish their creative piece titled, "Beautiful Blue".

Thanks for dropping by the atelier!

Movie Mania!

We suspect that over the holidays, many families went to the theatre. The children were talking a lot about movies, and from here, we decided to open a new dramatic play centre.

In terms of materials needed for new centre, popcorn was a high ticket item. We gathered up some kraft paper bags, writing tools, and white tissue paper. The children were once again, encouraged...

To play.

To explore.

To observe.

To create.

Literacy is immersed into the program, as the children sound out the word popcorn and record the letters they hear. 

The tissue paper was balled up to form the popcorn!

In order to purchase items from the canteen, the children put their creativity to work, and made purses.

The children enjoyed selecting the movie that they wanted to watch - recorded on sheets that were displayed in the centre. With tickets in hand, popcorn bags and 3D glasses, our theatre was hopping with activity!

Thanks for visiting the atelier.

Fabric Fun

   Daily, the children inspire us to exercise creativity. During 'loose parts' one morning, a gigantic bag of fabric scraps was spread out over the carpet. Fabric is a wonderful medium in the classroom - the pattern, the texture, the nature in which it can be rolled, smoothed and folded, adds to the whole sensory experience.

We wondered what would happen if we added dolls to the mix. We rummaged through the cupboards for extra dolls, and borrowed from neighbouring classes. We sat back and watched the magic happen, as the children were free ...

To play.

To explore.

To observe.

To create.

Fine motor skills were utilized as the children wrapped and tied the fabric to create diapers and wardrobes for the dolls.

The dolls were dressed, and nurtured.

The children shared stories about taking care of their baby brothers, sisters, cousins.

They shared resources, and collaborated on plans.

When the curriculum expectations begin to unfold, and there is a buzz of excitement in the room, it is a tremendous experience. As this activity picked up in enthusiasm, we were inspired to print up some paper dolls, and prepare for another activity.

A talented, scrapbooking parent generously donated some terrific art materials last year. We still had some beautiful paper leftover, so we set the stage for the children to engage in creativity, exercise spatial sense, and practice cutting & fine motor skills.

Creativity was abound, and the morning passed by so quickly! Recently, I have been reading more journal articles related to the development of creativity in children. There is increasingly more value given to creativity, and research into the different subcomponents of creative development, which are closely related to general cognitive development. I feel very strongly, that when the children are provided open ended opportunities, deep learning is taking place. We feel very lucky to work with these little people, as they taking their learning to the next level.

Thank you for visiting the atelier!