Aleph Academy

The students continued their clay exploration today.  Our soon-to-be classmate, Quentin, commented that the clay felt soft and cold.  He also thought it was both smooth and rough.  Everti much preferred to use the dry clay instead of the moist batch and commented that it was easier to hold.  Sheva was the first student to make a ball out of the clay and her friends all followed suit.  She also delighted herself by figuring out how to make a coil of clay by rubbing it between her palms.  It was amazing to see the younger students take such interest in the medium and I expect their skills will improve tremendously throughout the next several weeks.

Carey

Visual Arts Standard

2.PK.4 Identify color, shape and texture through art experiences.

Sheva made a clay coil.

Everti makes a clay ball.

Anna experiments with clay.

Anna and Everti having fun in the dramtic play area.

Yonatan makes a ramp.

Joshua and Ethan pretend the log is an oven.

We worked on fine motor and writing this morning.  Ruby and Marley’s mom, Skye, donated some stickers and note paper that the students used to make interesting compositions.  The materials provided great fine motor skill practice.  The students peeled and placed stickers, cut paper and glued various objects onto the note cards.  Matilda and Natasha went a step further by writing their names and other words on the cards.

Carey

Writing Standard

5.PK.2 Experiment with wring tools and materials to communicate.

Ethan practices his fine motor skills.

Sheva makes "cookies" for her friends.

Clay and Water Exploration

Clay and Water Exploration

Shadow Tracing

Everti and Ann love the Magna Tiles.

The students explored clay with water today in small groups.  First we discussed the texture of clay when it is only slightly damp.  Then the children were given sponges and water.  They were free to add as much or as little water as they pleased.  Watching the discovery process was delightful.  Some students really enjoyed the new “mushy, gloopy, slimey” texture, while others preferred the feeling of the dry clay.  As they manipulated the wet clay, most students came to the realization that too much water made the clay hard to shape.  We then discussed the importance of getting to know your medium before tackling an art project.

Carey

Visual Arts

2.PK.4 Identify color, shape and texture through art experiences.

The students draw their soon-to-be sculptures.

We officially began our sculpture project today.  The students thumbed through books about sculptures for ideas and eagerly shared their project interests.  The ideas we came up with today are as follows:

* Find our own clay to use- Marley

* Use recyclables-Ruby

*Make a clay pot or a bowl-Sheva

*Use plastic bottles-Ethan and Dovid

*Make clay blocks with letters on them-Sheva

*Make sculptures in the sandbox-Zoe

*Create clay dolls-Marley and Ruby

After we listed their ideas, the students drew pictures of the sculptures they plan to make.  Since clay was the predominant medium of choice we will further explore the substance later this week. The children are very excited about the sculpture project and I cannot wait to see their final products.

Carey

Art Standard

1.PK.3 Use a variety of media, techniques and processes in art activities that are of the child’s creation without a model.

Decorating our classroom drums.

Matilda's Castle

Natasha and Ruby draw Julianna and Susan.

The students loved today's story "Two Bad Ants."

The students named the fish today.  The bigger, orange fish is Julianna and the smaller, white fish is Susan.  The children made a list of their favorite names and then voted.  We also decorated a few of the drums in the music center, created block towers/castles and several of the students spent the morning drawing.

Carey

Science Standard

8.PK.1 Investigate animals and their offspring.

8.PK.2 Explore and identify a variety of animals and plants.

Yonatanm, Marley and Anna play the drums.

The Band

Outdoor Fun

Moshe and Joshua

Max, Zoe and Ethan

Channa and Natasha

Rochel and Yonatan

Shaina, Dovid and Ruby

Matilda, Marley and Bassie

Our day began with music.  Yonatan initiated the morning theme by banging on the table.  There happened to be an empty box on the table which we flipped upside down and turned into a drum.  Marley and Anna soon joined us at the table and the three made all sorts of drum beats.  Ms. Roberta then set out some coffee cans for more drum exploration.  After a short while, several students were sitting on the floor making wonderful sounds with the music center provocations.

We also began a Reading Buddy Program today.  The elementary students came to our classroom for story time and read to the students in small groups.  All of the students really enjoyed the activity and we plan to make it a weekly occurrence.

Carey

Music and Movement Standard

2.PK.2 Participate in a rhythm instrument band.

The Baby Graph

Planting Potates

Planting Potates

Your children helped make my special day even more amazing.  While I was at my 20 week ultrasound Ms. Roberta and Morah Avery helped the students make a “Is it a boy or girl” graph.  Apparently the children really got into the process.  They polled the elementary class and other staff members and used it as an opportunity to practice their counting skills.  In the end the graph was an accurate prediction.  Nine thought it was a boy, eight guessed a girl and one student thought I was having twins.  The student’s enthusiasm when I walked in the classroom door was incredible.  Their excitement made my day. Thanks for having such great children!

Carey

Data Analysis Standard

5.PK.1 Identify and sort data.