Aleph Academy

Our special "tree doctor" guest,Natasha's grandmother Molly, and the students.

We had some special guests visit our classroom today.  This morning, Ms. Karen brought in her son’s frogs.  The children enjoyed watching them throughout the day and giggled with delight every time the frogs emerged from their hiding spots.  In the afternoon, Natasha’s grandmother, Molly, shared her tree expertise. Molly is a “tree doctor” and read the book Marcie the Marvelous Tree. It is a wonderful, true story about a special tree that is in need of adoption.  The book highlights some basic tree knowledge while incorporating other values such as environmental awareness, individuality, social activism and tolerance. The children then participated in a discussion about trees.  I’m confidante their interest in trees will increase and we will be talking about them in the future.

Carey

Life Science Standards

6.PK.1 Identify humans, animals, and plants.

Painting their clay dolls.

Drawing spiders.

Ruby and the yarn spider web.

Checking out spider photos.

The student’s art enthusiasm from yesterday’s water color exploration carried over into today. The art theme of the day began when the students eagerly asked if they could paint the clay dolls they made last Friday.  They then incorporated art into their newly rekindled interest in spiders.  After looking at pictures of spiders in the insect manuals (donated by Skye and Josh) they drew spiders and created a web out of yarn.  Their artistic minds once again emerged when we discussed how they wanted to incorporate more money into the classroom store. They unanimously voted to create more art items to sell.  Finally, the students spent most of their outdoor discovery time creating sculptures out of recycled materials.  I must say, seeing such a revitalization student enthusiasm for art was a wonderful way to return to the classroom after a day off.

Carey

Creative Thinking Standard

3.PK.1 Combine objects in a variety of ways.

Visual Arts 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.

Bassie demonstrates how to shape clay around wire.

Ethan shapes his clay person's head.

We had an unexpected art instructor today.  Bassie, from the elementary class, visited our room and shared a clay animation video she made with the students.  Then she showed them how to make their own “claymation” dolls using wire and clay.  Bassie did a fabulous job explaining the process in easy to remember steps and the students eagerly participated in the lesson.  After the Thanksgiving break, Bassie is going to return to the classroom and help the students paint their clay people.  The student’s interest in the process was deep so I’m excited to see where this may end up.  A class clay animation movie?

I also wanted to let everyone know I will not be at school on Monday.  I’ve taken the day off in order to spend time with my sister and her family who are visiting from Chicagoland.  See you all on Tuesday!

Carey

Visual Arts Standard

3.PK. Recognize various art forms (e.g. photographs, statues, paintings and drawings.)

Since we had so few students today, I changed up the curriculum.  Instead of planting seeds, the students decided to make jewelry to sell in the classroom store.  All of the students spent a great deal of time manipulating wire and beads.  Yonatan and Sheva’s fine motor skills were impressive and the other students all demonstrated their problem solving abilities when faced with challenges.  Working with the same wire can become challenging.  It often kinks making it extremely difficult to manuvere  beads into place.  Watching the students overcome these challenges was incredible.  It boosted their self confidence while further fostering a love of art.

Carey

Creative Thinking Standard

Jewelry Making

Dovid makes some rings for his mommy.

The happy jewelers.

2.PK.3 Demonstrate persistence by trying again when faced with challenges.

The students spent most of the morning experimenting with color.  We now have lovely liquid water colors and used them to make beautiful coffee filter discs.  These will soon adorn our classroom.

In the early afternoon, we had a rich discussion about living and non-living things.  The students were able to point to and name several living and non-living things in the classroom.  This conversation lead us to place a plant in the center of our lunch table.  Ruby questioned what the plant would look like in the spring and the students shared their predictions. Next time you are in the classroom, please take time to view the chart/documentation we made during this discussion.

Carey

Visual Arts Standard

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

Scientific Inquiry  Standards

21.PK.1a Observe their world.

21.PK.1b Ask questions about their world.

Crushing materials for our fall project.

Dress up clothes were introduced to the classroom yesterday and they have turned into this weeks favorite provocation.  So far the students have enjoyed using them in their creative play and I’m interested to see if they integrate the outfits in the store.  We also began the final phase of our fall project.  At morning recess the students crushed leaves for the mosaics.  In the afternoon they used the natural materials to create dimension and add detail to their drawings.

Carey

Creative Thinking Standards

2.PK.2a Demonstrate the ability to delay gratification to complete a larger task.