Studio Yellow, Week 5

It's a wiggle worm. - Teddy

Creepy crawly creatures keep making an appearance in the lives of Studio Yellow.

ON NATURE WALKS

 

Each week the children have noticed an abundance of worms in the sculpture park.

“It’s slimy.” Lily

“Do you want me to wiggle it to you?” Elliot

“Where’s his face?” Teddy

“But worms don’t have mouths.” Chris

 

 

Teddy – It’s a wiggle worm.

Wesley – Can I pick it up?

Nina – I’m gonna put it on the rock. That’s gonna keep it safe. I said goodbye.

Ellie – Stand back! The spider built that home. The ants are hiding in the hole but stand back or they’ll sting you.
Stella – Um, ants don’t sting.
Ellie – Yeah they do.
Ben – Ants only bite.
Teddy – See them in there. You didn’t see them? They just chomp.

Teddy  – Look!
Makenna – That is called a Daddy Long Legs.
Elliot – Does it bite?
Makenna – Some do and some don’t.
Ellie – It’s a daddy leg long leg spider.

Teddy – Look another spider.
Ben – No it’s an ant.
Makenna – Ants can sting.
Ben – No they bite.

Wesley – Look I found a ladybug – no a caterpillar. Don’t touch it – it might be poisonous.
Elliot – It’s not, it’s a caterpillar.
Wesley – One time Wyatt told me a caterpillar what was poisonous. 

Chris – I found a skin.  It was on the back of a tree.
Suki – I thought it was a cicada skin.
Chris – I do too.  Be very careful not to break it.

We have noticed that children are proud to share their knowledge about the creatures we’ve encountered. Often there is some uncertainty and a difference of opinion regarding this knowledge. Lively discussions ensue as children work through and question each other’s ideas.

We wonder…
What is it that children are truly wondering about?
Where does their curiosity lie?
What are they talking about?

 

WITHIN THE STUDIO

The children’s language and questions around this topic inspired us to bring new materials into the studio.  The provocation of dirt and bugs within our sensory table led to more discussions between the children.

William – I’m going to make a worm home.
Orion – What is that – a crab?
William – It’s a funny grasshopper. It’s a upside down bug. There’s thunder!! They’re going under the stick.
Suki – What are you guys doing?
William – I’m making a home.
Suki – For what?
William – The spider and the worms.
Suki – I don’t like worms.
William – There’s lightning! They have to go in the stick again!

To inspire the inner scientist we have provided the children with additional materials. These include magnifying loupes, magnifying glasses and real bugs for them to investigate more closely.

 “Spiders eat bugs, which eat people.  Spiders are really nice.”
Stella