What Are Wheels Like?
1/25/2019
This we we investigated basic questions about wheels; what is a wheel, what are the parts of a wheel, and what are wheels like? We spent group time experimenting with balls and wheels to test out their differences and then made a venn diagram of what we learned. Participating in a group activity and modeling how to express and quantify learning through play helps students process their own learning later in centers and at home. It teaches critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and establishes learning and play as the same thing. As we broke wheels down to the basics we learned new vocabulary to describe the parts of a wheel: rim, hub, axle, spokes, and tire. We practiced making wheels with these different parts using tinker toys and paper and brad fasteners. We also examined lots of real wheels to see these different parts, including skateboards and car and motorcycle toys. The students have been eager to ask and investigate deeper questions as we learn the basics. In our center play there have been many individual experiments with force, speed, and movement as they interact with our new wheels center and additions to the block center. Brown Bag All this week we enjoyed picnics in the gym listening to fellow students perform at the Brown Bag Concert series. This is a wonderful time of community and allows our early childhood program to be integrated with the older classes. This event is full of encouragement and camaraderie. It is one of my favorites at PNA. Working in our wheel center to fix and build wheels!
Beginning Our Wheel Study
1/19/2019
This week marked the beginning of our Wheels study. As we explored this topic, we talked about what we knew about wheels and what we wanted to learn as we investigate wheels. Our study of Wheels will provide a meaningful way for our Explores to further expand their skills in mathematics, literacy, the arts, and technology. This study will also provide an exciting way for us to learn physical science and social studies concepts. One way we investigated wheels this week was by using paint and wheeled vehicles. In our morning meetings the students were very interested in wheels made for different terrain: snow wheels, sand wheels, mud wheels, fast and slow wheels. Using paint allowed us to make tracks, see the different treads.and make hypotheses about what a tire might be made for driving in. As we ran the cars through the paint we talked about what type of tire tracks the cars were making, how the tracks changed with speed and direction, and we compared the patterns of different vehicles' tracks. This week we also searched through magazines to find examples of wheels. This activity not only strengthened our fine motor skills, it also encouraged our pre literacy skills. Sifting through magazines, deciding what information to pay attention to and interpreting what information the images and letters where conveying are all important skills to building strong reading foundations. Making a collage of wheels from magazines caused us ask what makes a wheel a wheel? Our Explorers needed to use independent thinking and research skills as they flipped through pages. Open ended activities that encourage questions give students ownership over what they are studying, As a class we found that wheels are much more than tires on cars. Our collage has bikes, ferris wheels, planes, RVs, wheel chairs, wooden toys, snow machines, and more. Highlights from the Week
Friendship in the New Year
1/10/2019
This first week back we spent a lot of time catching up (I loved hearing all their stories about winter break) and talking about friendship. It was wonderful to see all our Explores again and watch them reuniting with each other. I am excited about this next semester; I think we will be able to explore our study topics even deeper and continue to expand our learning outside of the classroom. I am so glad to be at PNA where even the Early Childhood Program is fully integrated into the school's vision of creating exceptional learners. To be included in Project Based Learning and standards based report cards allows me, as a teacher, to provide our Explorers with a classroom environment that both prepares them for kindergarten and engages their curiosity and creativity. We are going to have a great rest of the year! Highlights from the Week We spent this week getting back into our routine and talking about friendship. We talked about how to be good friends, how we are all unique, and that our differences help make us better friends. We made a friendship graph where we charted our different heights, hair and eye color, and favorite colors. We were able to talk about how we are the same and different, and all fun friends! This will tie into our Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration later in the month.
To end our discussion, we made "Friendship Fruit Salad." Each student added a different fruit to make one delicious snack. We talked about how the fruits all looked different, but were still fruits. Much like how we are all different, but still all friends. And together we make a beautiful rainbow, just like our fruit salad! |
Anna RamseyArchives
April 2021
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