Stunt Pilot in KDH

A while back Emmett came in and told us that his grandparents were coming to town. He continued, telling us that his grandfather flies a plane. That certainly piqued our interest. Airplanes are always an interest in preschool. We spoke to Emmett's mom, Dania and set a date for Emmett's Ama and Daiday to visit us on their next visit, the day after our Thanksgiving Feast.

Daiday and Ama came in with a large bag that was full. With what?? We sat down, looked and listened. Daiday told us that he is a stunt pilot. He performs all sorts of unusual moves with his plane. First we were shown pictures of the plane with Emmett and his cousin sitting in it. We saw the gear that Daiday wears when he flies. Then Daiday showed us videos of the stunts he performs. Daiday held up a toy airplane. He explained how the different parts affect the ability to do the stunts. Blowing across a piece of paper we watched how lower air pressure caused the paper to rise - the Bernoulli principle used in flying. 

Finally Daiday and Ama gave each of us our very own plane to use outside AND another one to take home!

So that's why they had so much to carry into our classroom.

We went outside and flew our planes!!!

Thank you to Ama and Daiday for your interesting, well planned and generous visit!!!

Class Thank You card

Morah Ruth

Monday morning in KDH

As a Reggio inspired classroom we fill our centers with materials to support child directed learning. We also are open to unexpected opportunities. This past Monday morning was a paradigm of what can be accomplished with this approach.  

The children came in and noticed paint, cardboard, lucite and magnets out on the table. What could we do with that? First we experimented to see if the magnets would attract and repel through the lucite and cardboard to move around bolts and bottle caps.  That worked so we taped on paper and put the bolts with paint on the paper on the lucite and cardboard. We tried to moved the bolts and caps and spread the paint. That did not work so well, so we tried paper plates. Voila! Magnetic art. One of the children remarked that magnets are all about attraction.

Parents and children were still trickling in. Gabi came in with his mother holding a large book.They asked if they could be surprise readers. Hurray! We all sat down to hear about Gabi's upcoming trip to Chile, a visit to his grandparents. It is summertime in the southern hemisphere now. Chile has the most sleeping volcanoes in the world. Chile is a long country with deserts in the north. Gabi will be in the center of the country, in Santiago. The boy in the book traveled across Chile.

After a few minutes of reading, we all returned to our play and work around the room. Emmett, Logan, Shayan and Avraham Chaim built ABC letters with the large blocks. Emmett invited us over to see the letters. Literacy and cooperative play.

Suddenly, we heard Harper call out excitedly from the dramatic play area, "I made an experiment!" Harper held up a silver tray and was reflecting sunlight from it onto the ceiling. Harper gave the tray to the other children to try the experiment too. Science and sharing!

Sorting with manipulatives - math skills

                                       

At the table next to the magnetic painting, Rafi and Eli Lipskier drew a picture of two people. They called over all their classmates to choose a picture and sign their names next to the people
. Name recognition and fine motor activities.

A Monday morning in IJP filled with love, learning and laughter, initiated by the children.
Come in and play with us!

KDH Morahs

Costume Capers in Extended Day

The children continue to create costumes in Extended Day.

Making their own costumes allows them to take ownership and enhance their dramatic play.

This type of play allows the children to practice their social-emotional skills, build fine motor skills, problem solve, and further their creativity.

They are able to see their creations through from start to finish.

This builds confidence and independence.

Morah Estee gave us a large box.

The children wanted to make it into a play house.

They decorated the inside and outside with Sharpie drawings.

 We cut a door on one end and hung fabric on the other side to create an entrance and an exit.

The children have been including the playhouse in their dramatic play. They dress up and bring materials inside.

During outside time, we have started to hang up the wood pieces that the children painted on Yard day.

The children are adding them to the wooden collage on the playground fence.

Hammering nails builds muscle and gross motor skills.

Recently we have introduced the costumes during outside play.

The children are able to use them in a new environment. It's so exciting to see this thread continue! We will keep you updated.

Menorah Making in Kitah Alef

The children in Kitah Alef were proud to have a part in the making of their very own Chanukah menorahs. They were made out of salt dough, an easy recipe made from the basic household ingredients flour, salt and water.

When the dough was shaped into logs the children each had a turn to shake on some glitter.

 Then we used a sharpie to carefully poke holes in a straight line.    

                 The next step was to bake the menorah in the oven until it was firm.

Once they were cool we painted our menorahs with sparkly blue and silver paint!

          We hope you will enjoy lighting the menorah with your child. 

Happy Chanukah from KA!