Overview of Week 9/28-10/3

Overview of Week 9/28-10/3

Creating a Longer Ramp

We have spent a few weeks now exploring the ramps. We noticed that many of the children are focused how long we can make the ramp. On the playground, the children started working together to connect the long plastic ramp pieces together. Many of the children noticed that all the pieces have to be aligned in order for the ball to complete the length of the ramp. Some of the children decided to lay the ramp across the fence and the bench, which created an incline, resulting in their ball traveling faster down the ramp.

Early Childhood Standards of Quality Met: 

• Observation and Inquiry. Children develop positive attitudes and gain knowledge about science through observation and active play.

Exploring Ourselves in the Mirror

Last week, we focused on drawing our faces. We provoked the children with the art easels, mirrors and expo markers. We started discussing the various shapes that make up our face such as ovals for our face and eyes, and half moons for our ears. Many of the children were interested in adding arms and legs to their drawing.

           

Early Childhood Standards of Quality Met: 

•  Visual Arts. Children show how they feel, what they think, and what they are learning through experiences in the visual arts.
•  Understanding of Self. Children develop and exhibit a healthy sense of self.

      Exploring Shadows

The shadow screen was a great way for the children to observe how the movement of their body affected their shadow. We introduced the scarves into their exploration causing a more dramatic effect. Some of the children explored how the scarves created wave like ripples while others used them to mimic flying.  

                                           

Early Childhood Standards of Quality Met: 

•  Movement and Dance. Children show how they feel, what they think, and what they are learning through movement and dance experiences.
• Understanding of Self. Children develop and exhibit a healthy sense of self.

Observing How Substances Travel Through Various Objects

We introduced bottles that have holes cut out in various places. The children have been exploring how the sand travels through the holes in the bottles. Many children noticed how the more holes the bottle had, the faster the sand emptied out of the bottle. The children started to experiment different ways they could keep the sand in the bottle such as adding less sand to the bottle and keeping the bottle closer to the bottom of the sand table. 

When we placed the bottles with holes into the water, the children start thinking about how they could trap the water inside the bottle. The children tried several strategies to get the water to stay in the bottle such as placing their fingers in the hole, catching the water with another bottle and connecting the bottles together.

Early Childhood Standards of Quality Met: 

• Knowledge about the Earth. Children show a beginning awareness of scientific knowledge related to the earth.

• Observation and Inquiry. Children develop positive attitudes and gain knowledge about science through observation and active play.

**We look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday at the Plymouth Cider Mill from 1-4!**