KD Explores Symmetry

                                                     Symmetry in Kitah Daled

Something is symmetrical when it looks the same on both sides. Symmetry creates balance, and balance in design creates harmony, order, and aesthetically pleasing results. It is found everywhere in nature, and is probably why we find it to be so beautiful. Children tend to instinctively look for order and balance in their world, often arranging toys and belongings in rows or patterns. Learning about symmetry builds on this instinct whilst helping children learn to sort and classify, and recognize and form patterns.

 Kitah Daled explored symmetry on Chanukah using a dreidel shape. Folding the dreidel in half, they added paint on one side of the dreidel using squeeze paint bottles, which are great for building fine motor skills, to create the design of their choice. Then pressing the two sides together, the paint transferred to the other side of the dreidel.

    After opening it up, they saw the designs they made, symmetrical, on both sides of the dreidel!  This “wow” moment brought on much excitement and the students excitedly shared their thoughts with their classmates:

“It looks like a butterfly!” Lia said.  

“Look at mine!” said Aliza.

“I chose to use orange,” mentioned Jake.

“I used two blues,” said Dovid.

“I really liked that!” said Ellis.

“Woah!” said Benjamin.

    They loved it so much they wanted to continue doing it, and when the dreidels ran out, we used regular paper to continue the symmetry.

Since this activity was such a hit, and IJP’s Reggio-inspired philosophy follows the interests of the students, the Morahs are infusing symmetry in this year's art, social-emotional and pre-writing curriculums. Look out for our next project: symmetry self-portraits!

Outdoor Safespace

In Kitah Daled Extended Day, we noticed the need for an outdoor safe space. Sometimes friends would have a disagreement, become upset, and need some alone time. Other times friends would simply want a quiet place to go and look at books. 

Morah Jessica brought in large sheet of pinky-orange acrylic with holes in it. This became one of the walls of our space.

Our first task was to build a sort-of frame around the edges of the acrylic sheet. Mr. James, our wonderful handyman donated some scrap wood for us to achieve this.

Morah Jessica drilled the holes and our Kitah Daled builders, along with some friends from Kitah Bet, attached the wood and acrylic together using a screw driver, wood screws, and washers.

We discovered that we would need brackets for mounting our new wall and keeping super sturdy.

Again, Morah Jessica drilled the holes and the children applied the screws along the bottom of the acrylic wall.

We decided a shower curtain would be the best option for the last wall. It could also act as a door.

The children chose a fun color curtain and Morah Rena ordered it along with a rod and mounts.

Kitah Bet helped Morah Jessica mount the curtain rod.

Then they helped test out the new enclosed space.

The sheer curtain gives the children a bit of privacy.

Most importantly, it also allows Morahs to keep friends safe!

The children love their new cozy outdoor space!

 

Fiber Arts in Kitah Bet

 This year, Kitah Bet has been exploring fabric. We first introduced them to this material in a curtain making provocation. The children selected scraps of fabric and ripped it into ribbons. The Morahs then helped tie the strips together and then attached it to a long cord mounted across the wall.

The children then were presented with a wire, fabric, and clay provocation. The children made wire tree sculptures with a clay base. They decorated the wire branches with fabric scrap “leaves” and pom-pom “flowers.” These sculptures decorated the table at an event for their families.

This week, The children were presented with a roll of mesh fencing. First we put on work gloves to protect our hands from any pokey wires. Safety first!

         

They unrolled the material.  

The children explored the mesh by pressing it. Can we make it flat?

They manipulated the mesh by wrapping it around themselves then bending and pressing on it.

They discover that they can go under it. 

                  “It's a cave!”

  

   

The children started placing some of their animal friends in the “cave.”

With the metal armature now sculpted, it was time for some fabric adornment.

We offered the children fabric of various colors and textures. 

Morah asks, “What color is a cave?”

The children suggest black, brown, grey. 

We then select yarns, felt, and scarves in these colors from our fabric bin.

Rosie cuts some fabric for the cave.

Victoria adds some black felted “rocks” to the structure using wire.

          Results after Kitah Bet's first session working on their fiber sculpture.