This has been a wonderful day of discovery, imagining and surprises. It began with Xan's Show & Share. He brought a toy we decided to call "The Marble Maze". It has two round knobs to control vertical and horizontal movement. A marble is placed at the beginning and the player(s) must control the maze plate by moving the knobs. Yes this sounds easy, but did I mention there are numerous holes for the marble to fall through and end the game? This marvelous game of dexterity, eye-hand coordination and planning ahead caught the children's attention immediately. We had to pull it out again later in the day so everyone could have ample playing time. I guess I know what I'll be buying the class!
Wednesday is Buddy Day and I had planned for the two classes to make marshmallow snowmen. Since I forgot the marshmallows a new plan was devised. I recently purchased "Listen to the Wind" which is a child's version of the story of "Dr. Greg and the Three Cups of Tea". By the way, ask your child what a dzo is. The illustrations are actually collages of fabric, handmade paper, fur and tissue paper. Eric Carle distinctive illustrations are also created with tissue paper in a collage style. When my eye spied my new book the wheels began to turn and a new cooperative craft was born.
I read the story to both classes and then showed them the illustrations. Next I showed some illustrations from several Eric Carle books and then explained they would create a picture with their buddy. I pulled tissue paper, feathers, ribbon, foam shapes, glue and crazy scissors. What happened? Well first I saw some discussion between buddies and then some negotiation to reach a mutually satisfying idea. Next they had to settle on materials. I expected all of this.
I didn't expect to see the problem solving and the respect paid by the older children to the ideas of the younger children. This project evolved into an intense session between idea people and make-it-happen people. The work continued through recess without the children noticing. No one finished which we did expect but the quality of work produced today left me in awe. Our Early Learners don't have the benefit of Cherry's art lessons but Kim's class has had her for several years and the experience showed in their approach and knowledge of how to put different mediums together. I can't wait to see what happens next week.
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