Keeping on keeping on...

We have been chugging along with our programme lately, enjoying all the gym/indoor days that February gives us. We are always trying to improve our indoor spaces and make them more creative and fun while we wait for our yard to thaw out!

(not so patiently) Waiting for March,

Miss Karen

Guess who got gak?

The cornstarch in the water table didn't go as planned but, as always, we roll with it!

*idea alert* Turkey basters are a great idea at the water table

Train tracks are getting laid across the carpet

Zooming around the gym with Miss Celina

Random shots of the new setups

As we've mentioned before, we change the classroom setup every 2 weeks to allow for different learning experiences while still incorporating their interests. Monday was the big changeover and seeing their faces when they get a look at the room is always priceless!

Miss Karen

Rolling out the ever present playdough

Valentine's Day gluey art

Trains!

Fairies at the art easel?

Packing material treasure hunt

Let's write!

A classroom without costumes is a barren wasteland!

Emergent curriculum at its finest

So I had planned to use magnet blocks at a table with no extras. I wanted the children to use their imaginations to create buildings and towers. Over at a the next table we had a few puzzles out, one with people dressed up as various city workers. All it took was one child to bring one puzzle piece over and suddenly we had all the children wanting to have people at the magnet table. So I got them to put the puzzle pieces back where they belonged and took out some Little People city figures and they had the best time! When we follow the play lead of the children, we are using emergent curriculum to its fullest extent. And it doubles the lifetime of a setup, especially when it's their idea!

Miss Karen

Dance floor setup

The puzzle pieces that inspired the day

The policeman going home after a long day

Making a triangle tower

The construction dude gets a building made around him

Police station

Tent

Apartment

Moving house

Hey, what a feeling... when you're dancing on the ceiling!

Look! It's the Burj Khalifa!

How's this for flexible?

Last Friday was a PD Day and Winners Day camp had booked the gym. Unfortunately, our big back yard was a skating rink and we needed it as well. So instead of spending an extra hour in our classroom, Miss Heidi wondered if we could set up the main hall for gross motor play. Once we got the okay from Ellen, it was a go for big fun in the hall. What a new and fun place to play at school! Being a teacher is nothing short of a roller coaster ride most days...

Miss Karen

Bouncy castle in the Main Hall? Yes, please!

Block play

Trampoline

Roly Bowl

As always, running is always popular

Looks like it'll be gym time for a while...

Good thing we love it! When the yard gets icy and the snow gets rock hard, we find ourselves in the gym. There is so much to do there from climbing our climber, to cruising in plasma cars. And sometimes when we've been in that windowless gym for a while, we take out our special bouncy castle! We are so fortunate to have this resource available to us to get our gross motor play and wiggles out during the day. Lucky us!

Miss Karen

Row row row your boat!

Great day for a bounce

Shoes for sale

High fives for a job well done!

Winter can be gorgeous, too!

Despite the freezing temperatures of the last few weeks, we can get a few gem-like days. You may still need to bundle up but the Ministry guidelines say that if it's "warmer" than -18C then it's out we go. As Canadians, we should take the colder weather as a challenge. And if I say that enough, maybe I'll believe it hahahaha!

That said, this day was sunny and pleasant and even though it was colder than I personally like, We really had a great time in our snowy yard. Check us out!

Snow angels are always a popular activity

Are we teachers or pack mules? Some days we can't tell!

The slide is even more slidey when it gets cold

It's a great opportunity to chat when you're face to face in a toboggan

And as always, please remember to take your little one to the bathroom before coming outside. It just makes for a more fun play experience when we can stay out as long as possible!

Miss Karen

Welcome 2018

Here's hoping you all had a lovely, restful holiday with friends and family. All the teachers are energized, back and ready to go with creative ideas to amaze and educate. Here are just a few of the fun things we have going on in our classroom at the beginning of the year. As always, stay tuned for a new blog post every Wednesday to see our 3s in action!

Miss Karen

I see you!

Reading with Miss Jaya is always fun

Dinosaurs? Yes please!

We have a few amateur geologists here

Fancy a cuppa?

As always, paint is always on the menu

Our writing centre will become a staple of the new year

Taking a Picture Walk (independent "reading")

Macaroni and tweezers