Building and Movement Week of September 8, 2014

We have noticed the children have a strong interest in the movement of materials, especially while moving downward (like on a ramp).  This week we have been investigating with the ramps in a variety of different ways; including using cars, building ramps at various heights and looking at the path materials take while moving down the ramp (using water colors).  We observed the children trying to make the objects move down the ramp, as well as upward, testing out several theories they hold about motion.  During one investigation, where we set up two ramps of various heights the children began to adjust the ramps on their own.  The teachers sat back and watched as the children moved the lower ramp so it was flat on the ground, while resting on top of a block (in the middle of the ramp).  Connor and Will began to move the board back and forth, like a seesaw.  They placed objects on the board and observed the movement of the objects.  The boys also placed their bodies on top of the board to see what would happen.  

The results?  We decided to investigate their interest in simple machines (ex. The lever) further.  On Friday we built a seesaw out of the same board and invited the children to build on top of it.  We were curious to see how the motion of the board would affect their building.  At first the children built only on one end of the board.  Ms. Megan began to move the board to encourage a reaction.  Once the children noticed this movement they began building on both sides, observing what would happen to the blocks as they began to move.  We would like to revisit this same investigation next week with all of the children who helped to create the first seesaw.  We are also thinking about exploring other types of simple machines over the course of our semester. 

Painting with Light Week of September 8th, 2014

The children have been very interested in the art studio area.  Each day they will investigate the different mediums we have for them to work in.  We have noticed they were immediately drawn to the paint, especially the tempera paint and the many different types of brushes.  We have been developing different techniques for painting and exploring how we set up and clean up our painting area.  We have also tried using water color paints.  The children just cannot seem to get enough time painting!

We decided to incorporate their interest in light with their interest in painting, using the overhead in the space where the children were working.  We set up the clear easel, so the light could shine through and create different shadows on the wall and the easel itself.  Some of the children were more interested in facing the light while painting; others wanted to stand between the overhead and the easel, watching the shadows they produced on the wall.  Again they were noticing the movement of their bodies while the worked.  The children were also very curious in watching their classmates paint on the other side of the easel, sometimes mimicking their movements while painting.  It was neat to see so many different things taking place in one exploration.  The children we exploring concepts relating to art and science, as well as working together as members of the classroom community.  We would like to revisit this investigation again with another group of children.

Shadows and Movement- Beginning our Investigations

Week of September 3^rd, 2014

The children have been very interested in motion and movement.  To build on this interest and extend their thinking we introduced materials such as ramps and tracks.  We also noticed the children were very interested in movement of their bodies.  The children seem to enjoy dancing, spinning and running.  As they become more confident in their gross motor abilities, they also continue to become more interested in the way they can move.  This week we experimented with the way our bodies move as shadows.  We brought out the shadow screen and encouraged the children to move in a variety of ways.  We posed questions to the children, such as, how can you make the shadow move without touching it?  Or what happens to your shadow when you move in a certain way? The children tested out many theories and tried to answer the questions the teachers posed.  They also tried to figure out where the light projected on the shadow screen originated.  They looked over the overhead and experimented with turning it on and off.  They seemed to show a great interest in light, and this may be something to explore as well.  We will be introducing new materials with provoke thinking about light and movement. 

Ramps and Movement- Beginning Investigations

Week of September 3rd, 2014

We have all made it through our first few days of school, and while it has been an adjustment for many of the children, they seem to be settling in nicely!  We are looking forward to working with this group of children and families, as well as discovering their interests and supporting their learning.  We have been introducing many different open ended materials for the children to work with as they explore the classroom. Some of these materials include tubes (for the water table, as well as for turning into tunnels), paints and other art materials, blocks of various sizes and ramps.  We have noticed the children really seem to be interested in motion, specifically the way in which different materials can move. We have explored with different sensory materials (watching sand and water fall) as well as the cars and trains.  We noticed the children showed a strong interest in the ramps we brought out for one of our investigations and will be continuing to use these in our explorations.  

The children were curious to see which types of materials would move down the ramp. We tried cars, blocks, spools, animals and even baby dolls. Many of the children wanted to try and roll down the ramps as well.  They noticed some materials would move farther than others, but could not seem to figure out what caused this difference.  The children also called the ramp a slide, making connections to the slides on our playground.   Next week we would like to continue our explorations with ramps, and focus on the changing height.  We are curious to see how the children engage with the ramps after these changes.