This week is going to be a scorcher again. We are doing our best to stay in the shade. On monday we headed for Alphie's Trough but found someone's Invisaline braces on the sidewalk. Susanne used a glove to scoop it up and we took it to the lost and found. We neverade it to Alphie's. We found a shady spot and made boats out of corks and waxed paper. On tuesday we tried out our boats during splash day. The boys have a habbit of not going in the sprinkler while in their bathing suit but, want to get sprayed by a hose while in clothes. So I warned them to try the sprinkler or I would get them. Guess what? Susanne sprayed them with the hose. They were surpised and thrilled. Fun day for everyone. In the afternoon they were creating a variety of buildings and furniture. On wednesday we finally made it to Alphies. The children painted, walked along the giant log and had several rounds of hide and seek. Sorry no photos of hide and seek. I was hiding too. On thursday we went to the lake lookout. The water was very dirty. It was sad. We decided to go to rock island. We saw a frog and some dragonflies. There were some cool bugs dancing on the water. The children scooped up seaweed and made a pile of it for the geese. We changed out a few toy in the afternoon. R made a lovely castle. We found some tiny pears and apples on our travels. We tried the apples, they were tart. The pairs were just too small. On friday ... Written by S Robitaille.
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It's been a hot week. This was our week to water the community garden. We also visited the pond in-let, soccer field and Alphies trough. Most afternoons we are just trying to stay cool in the shade.
Written by S Robitaille. On Monday went to the community garden and watered it. Then we went to the Theal house. Susanne told the story of Laura Secord and we watched the Heritage Moment video. The children re-in acted the battle outside of Laura Secord's house.
On Tuesday it was splash day. The children prefer the many strengths of the hose. They tried out a variety of painting styles. The sun dried it quickly so they could make many designs. In the afternoon they continued to work on their whittled gnomes. R & W coloured theirs with pencil crayons. Also the road crew were outside our window cutting up the road to be paved. So exciting. On Wednesday we went to the garden inside the Makenzie Chow building. We found a chalkboard and left pictures and a friendly message. They had fun climbing on bike racks and rocks. They also explored the gardens hidden paths. On Thursday we went for a walk down the dirt road. We found apple trees and berry bushes. We discussed who the fruit is for, the animals. We made dragonflies out of a stick and some leaves. In the afternoon we continued working on our gnomes. On Friday we went to the pond. We found several frogs and fish. They had a great game of hide and seek. Everyday we brought our jackets incase the rain would begin. Luckily we never needed them. Written by S Robitaille. Tuesdays was splash day. The children had a lot of fun running through the sprinkle and carrying containers of water all over the playground.
Wednesday we went to the pond inlet to do some art. They decorated tiny wooden people shapes to be added into a book later. They found a few frogs in the pond. We went looking for a sticks so we can make wooden knomes. Thursday we went to the soccer field to play some games. We played a migration game, duck duck goose and freeze tag. We have continued to work on our books and knomes. Friday we went to Alphie's trough. The boys made potions and the girls wanted to paint. They all tried balancing on a giant log. These children have become Stewards of the land. We found a fallen tree blocking the dirt road. A Kabota had driven by leaving tracks that they had driven in the underbrush instead of pushing the tree. As soon as T saw it he said "We know what to do!" They all began chanting this phrase as they walked over to the tree and began breaking the branches. They were determined to clear the road. After shrinking the size by a third we all grabbed hold and pulled the tree to the side. Now everyone can pass by safely. Great teamwork! Written by S Robitaille. Working with colourThis week we did a lot of activities using colour. We used some natural items like dandelions, coffee and tea to colour some wooden hexagon shapes. We made a bee hive looking piece of art. We used chalk and chalk paint to decorate the side walks. The girls did some drawings with pencil crayons. We also had fun in the little forest. We had a zip-line and a pulley, both with buckets to carry items. They also did the usual play with water and all the dishes. Making potions or food or drink to serve the group. Showing such kindness. We played at Alphie's Trough on the patio and ramps. It was a great place to play house, draw, run up & down the ramps and stairs.
Written by S Robitaille. We have been busy this week. Everyone has settled in nicely. Monday we went to the Wigwam to play house with the collapsible dishes. We then moved over to the fire pit. We had to check out the ramp to the forest. At the fire pit area some children practiced their balance while others played a game of Santa. They pretend to sleep and Santa brings them their water bottle for a gift. Tuesday was splash day. The hose type sprinkler was uncooperative so I hung it from a tree. Then all was great. They had so much fun splashing and washing dishes. They used the little hoses to spray each other or fill cups and bowls. Everyone was soaked by the time we were done. Wednesday we collected a variety of flower petals and grass. We tried to crush them and add water to make paint. It didn't work as well as I hoped for. It was still fun. We read a book later about a pigeon who wants to drive a bus but can not. I asked what do you want to do but can not? One answer was to work with chemicals. Chemicals that clean. Thursday we worked with chemicals. We had food colouring, soap, vinegar, baking soda and water. We made secondary colours from the primary ones. We made small chemical reactions until it began to rain. Quickly we put on our jackets and packed up dumping everything together making a large explosion of foam. Then a race to the centre. Friday we went to visit the Brock statue. I always get the question was he really that tall? I explain he was normal sized but the artist wanted everyone to be able to see him so he made the statue bigger. We continued on to the healing garden. The smell of lavender and sweet grass was lovely. The children were given paper and coloured pencils to draw whatever they see. We did get a robot and some family portraits. W drew the garden including the statues up above. Once they finished drawing out came the bubbles. Happy times in a happy place. We have been busyMapping stories and other mapsThis week we are taking inspiration from National Geographic education program. The boys wanted to do some treasure hunting. First we need to know how to read a map. We are learning about the parts of a map. The compass rose, legend and the scale. We began with creating maps of our own neighbourhoods. Then the map for several stories including Curious George. The boys made their own characters too.
We followed a map to find a treasure if stickers. I hide a heart shaped tin around campus then the boys follow directions to find the treasure. We were reading the story "The Giving Tree" when we found out Geo-cache is a Métis tradition. Maybe we will team up with the Seniors so we can find and hide the treasure. Even follow the Métis tradition of take something and leave something for the next group. Written by S Robitaille. Monday was First Nations day. This week we coloured pictures drawn by Indigenous people. The pictures are part of a media colouring contest. We just used them in class.
The children made a Mokuk. A Mokuk is what indigenous people use to carry maple sugar (now we have mason jars). We added a string to carry it by. We went out to find wild flowers and other special nature items. Later the children glued their items on paper. We visited the Healing Garden and talked about the four directions and what they mean. We talked about the plants in the garden (medicine). We sat by the Theal house and I told the boys the story of Laura Secord and Sir Isaac Brock. The boys then re-in acted the battle of Beaver Damns. We also explored the cherry trees infront of the tower. The cherries are sour (Susanne tasted one). We decided to collect some and turn them into paint. We headed for the fire pit but were distracted by the new Wigwam. We played in the Wigwam and made our paint. We read a different Indigenous written or inspired picture books. D is for drum The giving tree Mwâkwa Talks to the loon Sky Sisters Giving Thanks Here are our photos. Written by S Robitaille. The Juniors gave us their cardboard box house and a second box to build another. The boys were so excited. They decided which way the box should stand and where to put the windows. They coloured it too. So much fun. An empty box is so much fun. Sometimes even more fun than what was inside the box in the first place.
Written by S Robitaille. |
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AuthorSusanne and Roxane are Registered Early Childhood Educators, Forest School Practitioners and National Geographic Certified Educators. Archives
August 2021
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