Ms. Phee & Ms. Fennessey's Classroom Blog: Week in Review (1/23-1/27)

Week in Review (1/23-1/27)

Representing Tulips

Last week the children were able to watch tulips bloom and change within the classroom. They talked about how they looked and what they saw happening. We invited them to represent the tulips with line and color. First we heard students talking about the colors they saw such as green, pink, and purple. We offered them paints in these colors and noticed how they represented the tulips. During their work, they became more aware of how the stem and petals were shaped. We encouraged more detail and invited the children to represent the tulips by drawing them.

Objectives Met:

"25. Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things

26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials

33. Explores the visual arts

Caring for Animals

After noticing the children's interest in animals, we added new materials to the dramatic play area. Children used their stuffed animals with collars, leashes, food bowls, and pet toys. We had a whole group discussion about it that helped prepare the children for exploring these items themselves. We discussed how to take care of animals and thought about specific things a pet might need. It also led to journal writing about the pets we have at home or wish we had at home.

Objectives Met:

25. Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things

30. Shows basic understanding of people and how they live

14. Uses symbols and images to represent something not present

a. Thinks symbolically

b. Engages in sociodramatic play

Building for a Purpose

The children's interest in both construction and animals came together last week. We decided that it would "rain" in the block area and challenged children to create homes for animals that could keep the rain out. We repeated the exploration with snow and asked the children to think about how their homes could keep the animals warm as well.