The Oak Room is Getting Busy in the Classroom this January!
This month we returned from Winter break and got right back to work in the classroom! The change in weather has prompted many questions from the children, specifically about the rain. “Where does the rain come from?”, “Are the storm clouds up in space?”, and “What happens when the clouds get too heavy?” are some of the questions the children had. We explored this topic more by observing the rain and its effects on our outdoor space, learning about the water cycle, and setting out a storm cloud painting provocation table. Through these activities the children learned about the science of weather, water cycles, evaporation, and different cloud types. As we continued discussions throughout the week the children were answering many of their questions themselves thanks to these hands-on learning opportunities!
As we look ahead to plan for the spring, the children have given suggestions about what they would like to plant in the garden this year. We started by planting pea seeds and have talked about the stages of growth from seed to plant while observing our real pea plants emerging from the soil. Planting seeds is a great lesson on patience, responsibility, and observation. Each day the children check on their plants hoping to see them sprout, they must water them daily, put them in the sunny window, and keep observing them for new growth. Our first plant emerged from the soil and they felt so proud to see their hard work pay off. Soon we will plant them out in the garden and wait for the delicious harvest!
Lately we have been celebrating so many birthdays which has sparked the children’s interest in their own individuality and in the uniqueness of others. As they have explored this topic it has expanded into how to best care for ourselves and our community. We have set up the art easel with a mirror and charcoal for the children to explore their own faces and how to translate that to the paper. By learning about “self” and how to practice self care, they develop a foundation for understanding empathy and appreciating diversity. These skills contribute to growing confidence, nurturing self love, and the understanding the importance of caring for our community. Some of their self portraits are displayed in the library area in our classroom, feel free to check them out!
We have also been reading “Emily’s Tiger” which was generously donated to our classroom after the book fair. This has been a great book for discussing how being in control of our emotions helps us to care for ourselves and enjoy our time with others. We have also put an emphasis on caring for our outdoor spaces. We have been weeding our garden area, making a new fairy garden for the toddlers out of sticks and pinecones, and brainstorming ways to make our yard more fun and engaging! The children have had so many great ideas that we will be implementing soon!
Click Below to Download this month’s Reflection:
0 Comments