Busy Start to the School Year

We have had a very busy start to the school year!  As we enter our second month of school we are noticing the children are beginning to adjust and have become more comfortable exploring all areas of the classroom.  They are starting to show us what interests they have and in turn we are planning explorations which follow their thinking.  We have been working hard to introduce many new materials to the children and have found they really enjoy the art and sensory materials.  We really like to make messes!  We are also noticing interests in light, textures, colors and shapes.  As the children begin to develop relationships which each other, learning groups will begin to form as well.  So far we are noticing big ideas which touch on all areas curriculum areas.  Ms. McInchak is exploring capacity and movement of materials in the sand and water table.  Ms. Steele has been exploring different properties and characteristics of materials (for example last week the children explored with real and pretend natural material).   Below are some pictures of different materials we have been exploring.  We are curious to know what the children are exploring with at home too!

As the season of Fall gets into full swing we will be exploring more with fall colors for painting, different fall natural materials (like pumpkins for example) and take walks outside to observe the changes taking place on the playground.  We have already explored some gourds with the children and are eager to see what they know about pumpkins.  They have also been talking about the changes in the leaves on our trees.  We have been spending some time in the garden (the children very much enjoy this space) and have noticed some of the plants dying off, as the weather turns colder.  We will continue to discuss these changes with the children throughout the season.