Muscota New School Blog

10/21/07

Notes from the classroom of
The Animals

Somehow I feel like this is the first newsletter that I have written this year, though I know it is already the third. The reason this one feels so special is because it is the first one I am using photos of the children doing work. The first piece of our curriculum that I would like to explain in this excitement of color is our Choice Time. Choice Time is a time of the day in which the children get to explore their own interests first hand in various areas of the classroom.

Choice time started in the beginning of the year simply; there were only three areas open. Children could write/draw, listen to/read a book or observe the class pet. Gradually more areas of the classroom opened to the children as explanations, procedures and rules could be taken in. Geo-Blocks were first experimented on in small scale atop the table before blocks were towering or spreading about the Block Area. Many of the children have moved from table-top construction to grander constructions in the Block Area; however, many children continue to explore the versatile and more minute scale of the Geo-blocks. Whole cities have spread across the many areas of the classroom.

All of the children have had the opportunity to explore the Geo-blocks and continually more children are finding their way into the Block Area. As their awareness of themselves as architects, city planners and creators increases I am excited to see what worlds they will create.

Geo-blocks were first used during our Math Workshop. Several manipulatives are explored daily. Another manipulative used during Math Workshop is Snap Cubes. Children have also chose to continue their exploration of this material during Choice Time. To the right is a photo of the creation of a giraffe. This has led to the beginnings of the creation of a zoo, which is starting to be displayed in our display boxes affixed to the walls. These display boxes will serve as a museum for the children’s work during Choice Time.

Special projects often take place during Choice Time. We will do many science experiments, experiments with various artsy materials and cook. Our first foray into cooking was a tried and true kindergarten slam-dunk; Nina directed the children in Pla-dooh creation. Here is the first day when the children made green. They have also made purple and yellow. As was hinted by our last homework assignment there are many fun days of cooking ahead…these will hopefully culminate in a small feast nearing the end of November. I will keep you all posted.

Games are often played during Choice Time. A chess master comes in every week to instruct the children on the complex, though oddly finite game of chess. The children also play board games, cards and various other games that will make it in to our repertoire.

Painting [during Choice Time] has opened this past week and several children begun exploration of their first wet medium in kindergarten.

Next newsletter I will be exploring Math Workshop, but i will leave you with the latest song we have been singing; I Know an Old Lady. I Know and Old Lady.
Click on the colored title to access the words to this great song.

All the best, and see you soon,
Christopher

P.S. If you click on a photo, a larger image will appear.