Dear Studio Red,
We have noticed how much we all love to make our bodies move. We challenge ourselves when we climb, run, stop quickly or change speeds. In today’s do and draw we will be moving and shaking!
Love, Lauri and Emily
do & draw
DO
We were thinking back to our nature walks and how we in Studio Red really love to move. We often would climb up and over rocks and up and down trees. We would jump over puddles, mud or fallen logs. We would walk and run trying not to step on roots or buried rocks. All this play was fun and exciting. We also remember how many of you would write stories of characters moving through mazes or levels of challenge.
Today we invite you to create an obstacle course. It might be indoors or outdoors. It might include a vehicle, like a bike or scooter, or simply require your body to move on its own through a space.
How will you design your obstacle course?
Think about how you would like to move. Would you like to move around, over, under, or through something? Would you like to challenge your balance? Would you like to twist, hop, run or ride?
Gather some objects that might help you with your course. For example, outside you might use buckets, cones, rocks or sticks. Inside you might use pillows or toys to mark the path! As always, make sure it is a just-right challenge and that you are being safe.
A note to parents:
Obstacle courses can provide a fun way to think about numbers! How many times do you need to jump when you reach that spot? Draw a number so you will know when you reach it!
This play also provides an opportunity to talk about just-right challenges, the value of practice, and the emotions that come when we are trying something new. Share with your child when you notice their practice has led to new learning! Draw connections to other ways they are practicing new skills.
DRAW
What symbols will you include in your map?
Time to grab a piece of paper and marking tools! We invite you to draw a map of your obstacle course. Along with hearing directions, it is also very helpful to create visual directions. That means a person can see what you want them to do. It helps others to make sense and understand. It will also be a memory for you in case you ever want to create the course again!
The map we show here was created by a fourth grader named Lilah.