Egg-cited for Easter

Using crayons and a careful hand, the children made their marks on hard boiled eggs. 

We mixed up the dye baths using food colouring, water, and a spoonful of vinegar. Many of the children experimented with trying one or more dye colours, expressing their wonder at what would happen. 

The children were invited to dip their eggs by themselves. Our counter is dyed a rainbow of colours as evidence, but it was a small price to pay for independence. 

A lovely rainbow of colours!

PS:

A few children were over zealous while showing off their eggs, and some of the eggs broke. (We ate those!) But it prompted us to consider how we are to get them home. We issued a challenge- create an egg carrier that will get the cargo home in one piece. Check back soon for our creations!

Grab bag

Some scenes of our learning this week. 

Observing and anticipating

The children were offered a provocation of a pot of tulips, some coloured paper, and some magnifying glasses.

We asked them to observe and predict what colour the tulips will be. 

The first day, it was difficult to determine what colour was coming through. Only the most observant of scientists were able to pose a hypothesis.

Today, it was easier with the flower buds beginning to show a vibrant purple. 

And we got a little silly with the tools as well!!

Here are some of the guesses. Taya predicted purple, and drew a thermometer to indicate the flowers need warmth. She also added sun and rain to represent the other needs of a flower. 

Jaydyn: "I think they are going to be purple."

The tulips have brought a lovely taste of spring to our classroom. Ask your child what other signs of spring there are!

Enjoying and then Modifying the Race Track

Hope everyone had a wonderful March Break 

It is exciting to come back refreshed and eager to explore a warmer season.  It also sparked a follow - up piece about the activities around the Race Track.  

Once dry, the children emerged with cars in hand to give it a try.

Shouts of glee like " I made it over the Lava Pit" and " that jump was awesome" could be heard as the cars zoomed around the track propelled by the quickly moving children.  They had worked together to create something that many could enjoy and they did.

 After a time of racing Taya identified a need to add in a Start and Finish Line and went right to work to put that in place.

 Evan exclaimed " I won" as his car sped over the line.

                                       
It was soon noticed that some children could not reach over the side of the track so ideas generated and Ross and Austin thought that it could be cut down to make it shorter.
                                      

                                   

With some cars falling into the hot lava, the boys decided a bridge over the Volcano would be a safe thing to build.  They set to work.  Austin held up the cut piece of cardboard and showed that it was just the right size to do the job.  Glue was attempted first but the discovery that it did not stick right away made Ross, Nick, Ethan and Austin move onto tape rather quickly.  

                                      

With the bridge set in place and the other adjustments made, the cars are free to safely race with the children as their drivers and their limitless imaginations the boundaries. 

Tropical fun!

Even if you don't go to a tropical beach this March Break, you can still have some fun!

We started the day with a hula lesson and a dance party. 

Our artists made some necklaces and leis. You can see Jadyn working on her pineapple hat!

We explored some tropical fruits and made kabobs to enjoy later. 

What tropical party would be complete without coconut bowling??

Our snacks were delicious and beautiful. 

We worked off the calories with some limbo. 

Finally, we finished off the party with a group hug for Mrs Young on her last day. 

Wherever you are this March Break, I hope you are safe, happy, and having fun!

321 Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, it is Race Track Mania

A few cars and a desire to find a place to race them set up an opportunity for the children to be creative thinkers and to work collaboratively in a team effort.  Changes were needed when the children had generated more ideas than the space would allow.

Plans for the Race Track began to be made, each with their own perspective.

With a list of important features to be included like ramps, lanes, zig zag road, sharp turns, bumps and hills and a start and finish line the constructing began.  Paper mache was the material that helped things stay strong and sturdy.  It was the foundation and due to the enthusiastic workers took a long time to dry.

 Once dry then the painting could begin with the crucial Lava Pit being red and the ramps to jump over it being black.

 Of course the Lava Pit would not be awesome without an erupting volcano, says Evan.  Rylee took up the task of creating it for him.

 Perfect, it is glued down and the bubbling lava is inside, using red streamers of course.

 The finishing touches of paint are being carefully added and then..... stay tuned for our next steps.

This process has been many things but most of all it has been a shared learning experience that the children have worked hard on together and have enjoyed incorporating many of the ideas that were seen as important by themselves and their peers. The collaborative work and level of respect for each person's contribution was indeed something to marvel at.