A Special Week

Our final full week of the summer found us exploring and learning about Japan. We are fortunate to have two families from Japan in our classroom. They were able to provide us with stories, pictures, and games native to their culture. It enabled us to experience Japan on a slightly more personal basis.

We were able to see pictures of Yuri and her sister in Kimonos. A Kimono is a traditional Japanese dress that girls wear on a special event, such as the New Year. We also looked at a picture of Kenshin on Children’s Day, May 5th, in Japan. They provided us with a picture of the beautiful Himeji Castle and of Kinkakuji (Golden Temple), which is one of the most famous temples in Japan, and of the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji.

We were able to play an origami sumo wrestling game, made by Kenshin’s mother. The students really enjoyed tapping the corner of the game to make the paper wrestlers move, trying to make their opponent fall from the board first. We were able to see many examples of origami, such as a cat, a dog, a frog, and a heart.

This week was a true learning experience as we were able to incorporate real pictures, real games, real stories, and real people into our education! We would like to give a special thank you to both Kenshin and Yuri’s family.

Educational Activity for Home

If you are looking for an interesting activity to do at home with your child to enhance their education then try: Flyswatter Painting. Yes, flyswatter painting. The children in Big Bird Buddies thoroughly enjoyed this unique activity composed of a simple household object and some paint.

Brief Description:
Pour different color paints on separate paper plates. This will provide your child with optimal choices. Supply your child with a piece of paper and a flyswatter. The flyswatter becomes the paintbrush and the artwork relies on their imagination.
-Some suggestions you might make to encourage thinking include:
* Ask questions about the colors your child chooses to use.
* Help your child recognize how the colors change as they overlap or mix. Are they making a new color? Are they getting darker? Are they getting lighter? To strengthen the chance of color changes supply only primary colors and either black or white for your child to paint with.
* Encourage your child to find multiple ways to use the flyswatter as a painting device (ex. Swatting paint on the paper, pushing paint around the paper, pressing it to make a definite flyswatter shape: like a stamp).
* Explore whether or not the pattern is effected if the flyswatter is used more quickly. More slowly?

Key Developmental Indicators that correspond with this activity:
Communication and Language: Listening and Responding
Creative Representation: Exploring Building and Art Materials
Social Relations: Playing with Others
Movement: Moving Parts of the Body, Moving with Objects
Time: Experiencing Fast and Slow

Enjoy,

Ms. Jolene

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.
Chinese proverb

Exploring The Outback

Our travel plans last week took us down under to Australia- the only country that occupies an entire continent.

During the week we explored The Outback of Australia by decorating our own boomerangs. We also created our own version of a Dideridoo, which is a wooden tubular musical instrument used by native Australians.

Our cooking project was an Australian treat called Banana Pops. To make this yummy treat we took half a banana and rolled it in honey and coconut. After freezing it overnight we were able to eat them!

We also discussed that Australia is known for having beautiful beaches along its coast. Since we could not go to the beach we tried our best to bring it to us! First we used sand to decorate some tropical fish. We planned an exciting field trip to Nixon Pool. However, the weather did not cooperate and our trip was postponed. Luckily, we did get a chance to play in the sprinkler on water play day, here at ABC Academy.

This week, we have ventured off to Germany. A highlight for the week: we will be making our own handmade pretzels and pinwheels!

Ice Cream Social

Everyone in Magic Kingdom has been keeping themselves very busy this past week planning both a fair project and an Ice Cream Social! We are excited to say that our Ice Cream Social, which was scheduled for today, was everything our sweet little teeth could have dreamt of. We had several choices for toppings, including syrups: chocolate, strawberry, or caramel, as well as sprinkles and cool whip. Thank you to all of the parents who contributed to our collection of goodies, it helped our event run smoothly and taste delicious!

Last week, during our water play day, the children began collecting new classroom pets… small rocks and woodchips. What creative imaginations we have in our room! The children made homes for our new pets using buckets and carried them around, everywhere they went.

This week we are hoping that the weather cooperates and stays warm as we look forward to our next water play day, on Friday the 31st.

Smell the Roses

As an adult, I am forced to admit that I often overlook and take for granted the beautiful simplicities of life. This week the children taught me something extremely important; take time to smell the roses… or weeds, whichever you have handy.

During outside time on Wednesday, Gabbi walked up to me with little white weeds in her hand. She put them up to her nose and breathed in their fragrance. Did they have a fragrance, you ask. To a child’s intricate imagination, of course they did. Judging by her smile, it was fresh and wonderful. "For you," she told me and added, "they need water." As we walked inside to place a handful of little weeds, which strongly resembled flowers into a cup of water, I was reminded of how special the little things in life truly are.

The problem? If you’re not looking for these little gifts, they could pass by unnoticed. Therefore, I am taking this opportunity to encourage you, all of you, to take time to smell the roses… or weeds, whichever you have handy!

Until Next Time,
Ms. Jolene

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

-- Albert Einstein