Classroom and Curriculum update

Well it has been quite some time since we have updated (Sorry!  We have been so busy learning).  The children had a great fall semester and explored many wonderful topics.  They have really started to develop their different roles in the classroom and are really finding their place in the classroom community.  We have such an awesome group of learners, with great ideas, who work so well together in the classroom.

During the Fall we covered many different topics.  Ms. Huff explored painting extensively with the children.  They used many different materials and types of paint to create beautiful works of art.  They children worked on many collaborative pieces throughout the semester.  We are hoping to continue their collaborations, as well as working on individual pieces.  To build on their painting projects, we have started to introduce some different art techniques.  This week our focus has been on sketching and creating lines.  We are eager to see how these skills translate to the art work of the children.  As they begin to develop stronger fine motor skills, we are beginning to see more details emerging in their work.

We also began a study on the classroom bullfrogs.  The children have been eager to hear the sounds of the bullfrogs and explore their movement.  We have watched many videos, observed the bullfrogs in the classroom, and even tested out flippers like the frogs have on their feet.  Sadly, we lost both of our bullfrogs over the long break.  The children have not noticed the loss too much (especially with all the other creatures in the room).  We are hoping to introduce some tadpoles to the children and begin the cycle over again.  We have watched a few videos involving tadpoles and the children have been able to recognize the differences between baby and full grown frogs.  We are eager to continue these explorations, as the children still have a strong interest.  They have been wearing the flippers all over the classroom, and other parts of the building.

With new faces in the classroom (two new inters, a new strategies students and new staff members), we are eager to introduce some new topics to the children.  We can not wait to see where the new semester takes us, and what ideas the children bring to the table.  Here are a few pictures from the first few days back to school.  The children have really gotten down to business and have been busy exploring!  Please look forward to more frequent updates.  We like to keep everyone posted about what happens in the classroom!