Playing in the Puddles

Today we played in puddles.  When it snows, we play with snow, when it rains, we play in puddles.  I remember doing this as a child and I think children do not get enough opportunities to do these things in today's fast paced world.  We took out orange cones and blocked off part of the parking lot that had puddles from the mornings rain showers.  The children took off their shoes and rolled up their pant legs.  We talked about being safe (Paws Laws) and staying inside the area marked by the cones.  We worked on skills such as jumping with two feet, following the leader, balancing on one foot, running, galloping and skipping.  We also worked on expanding our vocabulary by describing how the sidewalk and parking lot felt on our bare feet (smooth, rough, bumpy, warm, cold).  We talked about how the water felt (wet, cold, warm) on our feet.  We talked about making splashes, ripples and footprints.  This is an example of learning through play.  Many cognitive, social, physical and language skills were explored and practiced during this play activity.  Children learn best through play.  They stay engaged longer, remember the skills better and expand on the activity independently far better than when they are just drilling skills or working on worksheets or flashcards.  We hope these pictures help to give you a glimpse into the fun and learning we experienced today.

Getting ready to go and play in the puddles.



Feet, are you ready?



SPLASH!

Footprints and Shadows

Where does the rain come from?  Where does it go? Ask open ended questions (questions that cannot be answered with a "yes" or "no" response) to really get a child thinking, reasoning and using a variety of new and complex words.



Research shows that children learn best when they have multiple opportunities to be involved in gross motor activities.  This is why recess is so important to the curriculum though out a child's educational career.



Follow the Leader!

Friendships are often formed during quiet times of exploration.



All in!  Puddles aren't just for your feet.  Sometimes you need to explore them with your hands too.



Poetry  in Motion

I believe I can fly!



I love this picture.  I think it captures the wonder of the world from a child's perspective.  The reflections of the world around the child, the shimmer of the water, the purposeful stride of the child as he explores the feel of the water under his feet.  A child's world is truly an amazing one, isn't it?



Ripples in the water caused by the child jumping into the puddle.

US Room 407: Igloo's and a snowman with a pot on his head



Hit the link to go to their blog to see the full post and all of the pictures!


US Room 407: Igloo's and a snowman with a pot on his head: "After a false spring (we really did love the 60 and 70 degree weather!) winter came back. Did we get sad? NO. Did we pout..."

The 411: The Amazing Milk Magic Trick

Hit the link below to go to the blog to see how to do this science experiment and to see all of the pictures.

The 411: The Amazing Milk Magic Trick: "Today we did a really cool milk experiment. We video taped it so you could do it at home with your child. It is simple and so mu..."

going buggy

the other day a student brought in an insect he found at mcdonalds (outside not inside).  the class was very excited!  as teachers we had to be able to adjust our day away from our lesson plan and take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity.  the insect came to class complete with the bug box (you can tell this little guy catches lots of bugs).  the students took time to study the insect closely.  the student who brought in the insect was able to be the "teacher" for one of the daily activities.  he glowed!  he was confident.  he was the envy of the classroom.  now, as teachers what could we do to make this lesson even richer?

one of our goals is to add more literacy to the class and to make journaling more relevant to the students.  so out came the journals and the scientific journey continued.  students began drawing what they were seeing.  they dictated words and sentences to the teachers.  some worked for a long time on their documentation. some where not interested.  as early childhood teachers who want to be developmentally appropriate we have to embrace the fact that it is ok that every child is not wowed by insects.  but, for many children the chance to take something cool like an insect, and want to write about it, well, that is how a love for literacy starts.  when writing is a joy, and not a chore, children develop a desire to write, a desire to participate in the process of scientific discovery, and begin to learn how to research.

so, next time your day takes an unexpected turn, embrace the opportunity.  if i had not participated in some wonderful workshops, networked with other creative teachers, and if i had not started reading The Intentional Teacher i don't think i would have been prepared enough ready to enrich this  learning opportunity for the children.  so, moral of this blog entry, keep learning just like we want our students to do!