Movement in Nature April 14-18, 2014 Mariel Weidman - Triangle Classroom

1. Circle Time Discovery Table Art Circle time included books about movements in nature. Some topics included rain, clouds, and bugs! After reading about each piece of nature we looked for them on our playground. Indiana Foundations ELA.3.3 Explore a book ELA.4.5 React to a story or event There was a storm in our discovery table! It was filled with water, strainers, and cups for the children to manipulate as they pleased. When water was poured through our large strainers, it simulated rain. Indiana Foundations FA.1.64 Focus on motions and movements P.2.5 Develop increased control over their body parts We decorated a branch using our fine and gross motor skills both inside and outside of the classroom. Children used critical thinking to figure out how to manipulate the art piece. Indiana Foundations FA.1.50 Delight in touch and feel of materials rather than what is being produced SE.1.81 Work together as a team toward a common goal FA.1.67 Use different colors, surface textures, and shapes to create form and meaning As we read about elements in nature we would look for them outside. After reading the book, Little Cloud, we looked for clouds in the sky. Ben (34 months) observed the toy fish we had in the table. He used the cups to pick up the fish. He then poured the water in a strainer. Ben noticed the water disappeared through the holes, but the fish did not. Matthieu (33 month) worked on his fine motor skills on the first day of art. He tore tape into small pieces and wrapped them around the branch. We had Circle Time outside if the weather was nice. This allowed us to physically be a part of nature while we read and sang about it. Reese (35 months) explored our rain cloud. She poured water in the large strainer hanging above the table. Once it was full of water she watched it rain into our table. Amelia (16 months) grabbed the paintbrush and painted the branch yellow. She focused her attention on the smaller pieces of the branch. She had to use very gentile touches so she would not break the branch. Movement in Nature April 14-18, 2014 Mariel Weidman - Triangle Classroom Mrs. Liggett worked with Sloane (10 months) at the discovery table. She poured the water onto her hands. Sloane reacted by facing her palm up towarddsthe water, and with splashing. Children will explore the movement of nature with hands on experiments using their senses. Reese (35 months) painted the branch while it was hanging up outside. She figured out she needed to hold the branch still with her left arm while she painted with her right hand. Dramatic Play We had a fishing boat set out for dramatic play. There were fishing poles for the children to use as well. Indiana Foundations SE.1.40 Enjoy simple pretend play FA.1.44 Engage in cooperative pretend play with another child Science and Math Gross Motor We had a worm habitat in our classroom for science and math. The children could interact with and observe the worms. They even were able to take one home over night! Indiana Foundations M.4.1 Notice objects and purposely move and manipulate different objects ELA.7.5 Actively attend to things and adult is showing Our class went on a bug hunt! Each day we added a different element or technique to look for the bugs. For example, we used magnifying glasses and shovels on different days of the week. Indiana Foundations P.3.2 Crawl, creep on knees P.1.9 Enjoy movement activities Veronika (30 months) sat in the boat and waited to catch a fish. She grabbed the fishing pole andheldit in our pretend water. Veronika (30 months) observed a worm while it was in Mrs. Liggett’s hand. She displayed curiosity while watching it wiggle. After watching for a while she held the worm in her own hand. She smiled when it began to wiggle again. Sloane (10 months) crawled in the grass during our first bug hunt. She used her fingers and toes to explore the feeling of the grass and see what was in it. Sloane (10 months) sat in the boat while it was inside of our classroom. She rocked back and forth making the boat sway up and down. Leo (19 months) caught a fish! He felt the textures on the fins and the pointy nose. He continued to carry his catch around the playground. Anika (26 months) dug her finger in the dirt to find a worm. Once she found one she picked it up using her index finger and thumb. Sam (43 months) used a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the bugs. He got on his hands and knees to get an even better view.