We welcomed the new week with some novel additions to the studio while also continuing to explore those activities that have been of great interest to many.
A new medium was introduced to the children – CLAY. Their hands were the only tool available to manipulate the material. Children narrated as they worked.
Elliot started by creating a mountain which Wesley added to. This mountain then transformed into a police house equipped with an alarm in case of burglars, and a loud siren. Stella was more content to make blueberry pies that transformed into snowmen. Jamie, Teddy and Josie were busy cutting and squeezing the clay into different shapes.,
Our small unit blocks were exchanged for larger, full body building blocks. On the first day, children were unsure whether or not they could change our initial configuration, using them as is, for a stage, bed and even a bear cave. Eventually children began building, curious about others’ buildings, but committed to building independently.
On day two, It did not take long before the collaborative building began.
To expand our repertoire of studio games we introduced “I Spy” bottles and books. The children were challenged to find the different objects and mark them off on a sheet. In the words of Lily to Orion “Can you help me fill them all in? It is so hard to find them all.”
Caring for our worm habitat continues to pique the curiosity of the children.
“Are the peels the beds?” SUKI
“All the stuff that they eat.” MAKENNA
“What is the beds Makenna?” SUKI
“I think the dirt.” MAKENNA
“No I think the dirt is the ground.” SUKI
“The dirt is the bed ‘cause every day people find them in the dirt so that’s where they live. So the dirt is like their bed, their rooms.” MAKENNA
Worm talk continued in our mini studio.
“We’re gardeners.” STELLA
“Gardeners mean we need soil and plants.” ELLIE
“Yes, soil.” MAKENNA
Do gardeners like worms?
“I think so. Worms squiggle around in the dirt.” ELLIE
“Wiggle, wiggle. We have a farmer that is a friend.” MAKENNA
“Problem with worms is that they can’t find their homes. They have to tell the farmer that needs to tell us. We’re farmers that help animals find their homes.” ELLIE
“I see pink worms in my garden.” NINA
“Pink worms that have tails?” MAKENNA
Ellie decides to write a story which she shares with her friends.
“It’s about worms getting dead. They break their bodies and bones.” ELLIE
“Cross out about worms and bones – worms don’t have bones.” STELLA
“Yes, they do – my mom told me.” ELLIE
A whole group discussion ensued about the benefits of worms.
“Worms eat mint and dirt.” MAKENNA
What happens after they have eaten?
“They grow bigger and bigger and a different color.” MAKENNA
“And turn into daddy worms.” TEDDY
“The worms grow in grass and carrots.” ELLIOT
“When worms eat they turn into mommy worms.” JOSIE
When worms eat all that food do you think they poop?
“Yes!” JOSIE
“Don’t think so.” ELLIE
“With too much food they poop a lot and then have diarrhea!” MAKENNA
“Poop is funny – it makes me laugh!” ELLIOT
When worms poop, it helps the soil and that helps make a great garden.
All the while, children continue to find great comfort in re-visiting familiar and favorite areas.
As well as the special story chosen by Ellie this week we continued to read to the group stories around the themes of worms and friendships.
Celebrating Ellie!
