Color Pouring

In Room 1 we experimented with color pouring. The children took turns pouring paint onto a block and watched what happened to the colors as they mixed. The class has also enjoyed using the kitchen area that we recently added to our classroom. The children acted out making various meals for each other as well as kitchen clean up such as washing dishes. The children showed us the progress they have made in writing their names as well by signing a farewell card for Ms. Dana.

Building and Storytelling

The children continue to build new structures each day.   Garages for cars, train stations, secret hideouts for the turtles, castles for the superheroes, flying cars, homes for people… The list goes on.   With each building their structures get more complex and they run out of the material they started with.   They problem solve by bringing in other building materials when the blocks run out.

As their building develops so does their storytelling.   They tell stories with each other about the trains, cars, animals… blocks and Legos continue to be a favorite material to use for storytelling.   Stories are emerging with magnet characters of the billy goats and Goldilocks.   The children are combining these favorite characters to tell their own versions of the stories.   We have started to explore intentional painting of our stories and telling stories in sand and snow!

Studio News

Gilliatte:

Students in Jessie’s class constructed cats out of clay and some began to paint their cats, as a part of their ongoing exploration of cats in their classroom.

Students in Juliana’s class added to their bottle cap city by constructing people out of clay.  We also began to install the city in the studio so we can add to it while keeping it safe and protected.

 

We went to the IMA with Bryan’s and Jessie’s classes to look at examples of masks and pottery in preparation for our studio work next week.

 

Lab:

In Kyle’s class we learned how artists, like Chris Raschka, use gesture drawings to quickly sketch what they see around them.  We used a drawing mannequin or figure to practice gesture drawings, then observed what we saw around us to make gesture drawings.  We went back and added details to our gesture drawings by using watercolors.

 

In Marcy’s class, we explored primary colors and the ways in which they combine to form new colors.  We also continued constructing a color wheel using materials from the Remida.

 

We went to the IMA to learn how to make mobiles from recycled materials.

 

Thompson:

In Kissiey’s and Brandi’s classes, we learned how to use plaster to make our own masks.  Students also explored light using flexible LED light strips connected to a dial that allowed them to manipulate the color and pulsing of the lights.

 

We went to the IMA to learn about the visual rhythms present in artwork from the continent of Africa.  We took a closer look at weaving and the image of a crocodile that appeared in a lot of the pieces we observed.

Studio News

Gilliatte:

Students from Kathryn’s class worked on a wire quilt, with each child designing a square using colored wire bent into different shapes.

Students in Jessie’s class constructed cats out of clay, as a part of their ongoing exploration of cats in their classroom.

Students in Juliana’s class added to their bottle cap city by constructing different buildings out of wire.

 

Lab:

In Kyle’s class we learned how artists often make their own colors, and experimented with making our own.

 

In Marcy’s class, we explored primary colors and the ways in which they combine to form new colors.  We also began constructing a color wheel using materials from the Remida.

 

We went to the IMA to learn how to make mobiles from recycled materials.

 

Thompson:

In Kissiey’s class, we learned how to use plaster to make our own masks.  Students also explored light using flexible LED light strips connected to a dial that allowed them to manipulate the color and pulsing of the lights.

 

In Lauren’s class, we read Lizi Boyd’s Flashlight and explored how light and color help up to tell stories.

Playing with Color and Light

In the studio at the Thompson building, we have been exploring color and light as a part of our Story Workshop.  This week, I set up a series of provocations for the children to allow them to see how color and light can help us to tell stories.  The provocations included a box set up with flexible LED strips connected to a dial, which the children could manipulate to change the colors, a light table with color mixing paddles, mirrors with gemstones, black paper with oil pastels and colored pencils, and wooden collage pieces.

 

What can you make with felt?

We use many materials in the daily life of our room. Sometimes we like to use some of these materials to make new and interesting things. This day the children were given felt and some interesting materials to create with.

“I made a number house.” Camila  (hers is the one with the purplish background)

“Look Miss Laura, I made a house” Ruby (Hers is the one with the bluish background)

“I making a square.” Carlo (he is the child working one the white felt)

Building Materials and Machines

In room 2 we are still continuing our exploring with building. We are learning about building with different materials and the different machines that help build things like houses and tall office buildings. We continue to read books, look at pictures and videos learning how things are put together. We are having exciting time learning and exploring how things are built and will continue to understand as much as needed and build our own houses, and tall buildings.

Cats

Recently in Room 1, the children have been pretending to be cats while playing in the home living area. Some of our friends have been cooking for the cats while others pretend to be the cats. During meeting, we created a web of all the information we knew about cats. Last week, we went on an adventure to the Lawrence Library and picked up a variety books about cats.

What do you know about cats?

They growl at dogs. – Da’Ron

They eat rainbow cat food. – Maddie

Cats can do anything they want. – David

Recycled Materials and Clay

The children of room 3 have been continuing on with our building investigations, exploring recycled materials and clay! A lot of the children had never experienced clay and were given the chance to try it out using their hands and feet! We have also been very interested in music as we often dance, play instruments, and sing. We have also had people from our wonderful community volunteering their time to be with the children. Actors from the Civic Theatre, college students, and Ms. Jeanne, our yoga instructor have been wonderful assets to our learning! Thank you all.

Aspiring Artists

We have many aspiring artists in room 112!  The children have been experimenting with a variety of materials to use in their painting.  Acrylic paint, wet chalk, and glue with food coloring are some interesting ways to create beautiful works of art!  We will soon begin an artist study of Chris Raschka.