tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22077473881175164412023-11-16T08:50:38.554-06:00Brick by Brickthoughts on helping young children learn and growScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comBlogger962125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-71716159346507409152019-09-21T10:47:00.001-05:002019-09-21T10:47:18.021-05:00Favorite Things: Carpet SpotsI have a brand-new favorite thing - these carpet spots. I bought these from Amazon. (Note: I get nothing from promoting these. I just loved them and am sharing them with you.)<br />
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I bought them with only a vague idea of how I would use them. Well...they were on sale...and I had a gift card...and the rest is preschool teacher history. I just got them.<br />
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These have a rough texture on the bottom - like rough part of Velcro. They stick to the carpet. (Boy do they stick to the carpet!)<br />
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I scattered them on the floor in my music room. The 4s had music this week and, as they came in, I told them to stand on a circle. We used the spots throughout music time. They stood on them and sat on them. I called different colors to move or answer a question. When it was time to go, I called colors to line up.<br />
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I had to pick up the spots because someone was using the room later in the day. They adhered to the carpet so well, it took me about 10 minutes to pull all of them off the floor. (Well, maybe not that long but close!) Next day, they went right back down and are still there...waiting for the 3s on Monday.<br />
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I've been thinking about different configurations or games we could play with these spots. I'm excited about my splurge purchase - in fact they have already become some of my favorite classroom things.<br />
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But you don't need to purchase spots. Use paper squares or circles (taped to the floor or with Velcro attached to the back). Or an old Twister mat. Or just tape pieces. Explore how you could use "spots" on the floor for movement, music, and learning games.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-34324319283080421012019-08-30T16:07:00.003-05:002019-08-30T16:07:36.073-05:00Cardboard and Blocks Equal Building Possibilities <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most of my groups of kids love to use blocks. Often we will put out blocks with little or nothing else. The kids enjoy creating in different ways with the blocks.<div>
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However, I try to add different materials - just to stimulate more thinking and encourage kids to expand their ideas. Of course, recycled materials make great construction materials. This time, we added cardboard pieces (from boxes) and cardboard tubes.</div>
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As is my practice, I put out the items with little direction beyond: "You can use these with the blocks if you choose."</div>
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We tried various arrangements of cardboard, blocks, and tubes.</div>
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We created structures and playgrounds.</div>
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And we even incorporated other items into our structures.</div>
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These materials are great for the classroom. You can use whatever you have on hand. If you have large pieces of cardboard or long tubes, cut them smaller or shorter. If they get torn or damaged, just toss them. (Or better yet, find a way to use them in sculptures or murals in the art center!)</div>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-23317326752178367992019-08-08T14:14:00.001-05:002019-08-08T14:14:53.432-05:003 (plus) Ways to Use Binder ClipsI love shopping in the teacher stores (both online and brick-and-mortar). I always find lots of resources I'd love to have. However, my budget does not allow me to buy all (or even most) of the things I see. <div>
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Also, because of cost and storage, I need things that multi-task. I like those specialty educational resources but many times I'm limited in how I can use them. A great item that is inexpensive and can be used in lots of ways is the binder clip. Here are three ways we have used binder clips in our room.</div>
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<b>Game Pieces</b> - Use binder clips to make stand-up game pieces. This one uses a picture card. But you could use anything that could clip in the binder clip. Use photographs of your kids. Use index cards on which kids have printed their names or drawn pictures. Use letters or shapes from bulletin board sets. You can use anything. Clip it in the binder clip and stand on the table or gameboard. </div>
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Or stick a colored sticker on the binder clip or buy a set of colored binder clips and use the clips themselves for game pieces.</div>
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Additional task: Use these stand-up cards for graphing. Ask a question or display items for kids to choose. They can place their clip (with picture, name, or whatever) under their choice.</div>
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<b>Book Binding</b> - Use binder clips to attach pages together in a homemade book. Kids could draw pictures and/or write words on sheets of paper or cards. Clip the pages together and turn the pages. </div>
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This book is made from food labels. Cut labels from boxes or cans and tape the labels onto index cards. Clip the cards together. (Use logos that are familiar to kids. They can "read" this book because it uses environmental print, print they recognize.)</div>
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Additional perk: These books are easily changed. When kids master the environmental print words or when your emphasis changes, file these cards and bind new ones for a new book.</div>
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<b>Homemade Clipboard</b> - Use a piece of cardboard and a binder clip to make a homemade clipboard. Stack paper and align with the cardboard. Clip on the binder clip. Kids now have a portable "desk" to write or draw. I like this because I can change the orientation of the clip. I can move it to the side and use the paper in a horizontal format instead of always using vertical or fighting the clip on the side (like on a clipboard). </div>
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Additional perk: If space is tight, use these to reduce the number of tables in your room. Kids can sit on the floor and work in small groups as needed.</div>
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One of my favorite places to find items to repurpose is the office supply store (or the office supply section of your favorite discount store). Head to your favorite office supply spot and stock up on binder clips. Here are a few other quick ideas:</div>
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<li>Use the binder clips as counters or other manipulatives. </li>
<li>Add the clips to an activity that allows kids to practice pinching to open the clips, such as clipping onto the sides of a box. (Great for fine motor development) </li>
<li>Hang the clips on pushpins to make easily changeable wall displays. </li>
<li>Or just clip papers together, as the binder clips were designed to do. (Maybe office dramatic play!)</li>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-35596307824427591602019-07-31T12:06:00.001-05:002019-07-31T12:06:27.733-05:00Bubble Wrap and Paint When you think of bubble wrap, what uses do you think about? Packing materials for fragile items? Stress relief as you pop it? A fun item to add to a texture board? All are good uses. But we apply the rule "you can paint with almost anything" and use bubble wrap for painting! (And that may relieve stress, too.) I've used bubble wrap in two ways for painting.
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<b>ACTIVITY 1 - Stamping/printing with bubble wrap</b><br />
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Wrap blocks or small boxes with bubble wrap. Tape the wrap into place. Pour paint into a shallow pan. Dip the wrapped block in the paint. And stamp or smear away!<br />
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A hint: Fold a paper towel to put in the pan. Dampen the towel with water before adding the paint on top. The paper towel creates a "stamp pad" effect. If you do not add a little water to the towel before adding paint, the bubble wrap may stick to the towel and pull it out of the pan. (Trust me; it's true!)<br />
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<b>ACTIVITY 2 - Painting with a brush on bubble wrap</b><br />
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Tape a piece of bubble wrap (about 8 by 10 inches) to the table or easel. Kids can dip a brush in paint and paint right on the bubble wrap. The textured surface gives a different experience than painting on smooth paper. Make a print to preserve the child's design. Pressing a piece of paper on top of the painted bubble wrap and carefully pulling it off. The design will transfer to the paper.<br />
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Bubble wrap is a fun way to explore and expand your painting horizons!<br />
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<br />Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-28027752053399596472019-07-23T14:08:00.001-05:002019-07-23T14:10:32.484-05:00Easy and Versatile Feel BoxWhen I think about teaching resources, I like easy ideas...and ideas that are little cost. I like things that can be used in different ways or for different types of activities. That's why I love this feel box.<br />
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You need an oatmeal box and a large NEW men's athletic sock. Slide the sock over the oatmeal box - and the feel box is ready. Put in anything that you want kids to feel--small toys, nature items, magnet shapes, anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyPtFkvQ_xv1JTZYhmP2Auvhmthne6qcjIcKiX5xl_AwlFuxTzyo28I9Q1-00yPQTeRvHHgeZJyenLg6ZZakRE7EqppytMxOgdSUa_I-6U2xybEXpRK9Op8vt5iM09-zZtAIhpXwWBzfX/s1600/100_0539_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyPtFkvQ_xv1JTZYhmP2Auvhmthne6qcjIcKiX5xl_AwlFuxTzyo28I9Q1-00yPQTeRvHHgeZJyenLg6ZZakRE7EqppytMxOgdSUa_I-6U2xybEXpRK9Op8vt5iM09-zZtAIhpXwWBzfX/s320/100_0539_2.JPG" title="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" width="320" /></a></div>
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The box is recycled and the sock can be purchased at the dollar store. The items that go in the box are things you already have. Easy. Little cost. </div>
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Kids reach in through the sock and feel the items. They can easily pull them out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuFgdfMU8WXP9bhOmcOM8RZwuMgPRHeIzPY-WMntF7-f74_hUpqnhKG1hxbYgzZx0hn8BumMBTVXQgFVpMi0dZ5PehVUbvoPZpXhuYxTET0SxWojMVfTq3XgIwINQUuRk_gPhYd3IwIkN/s1600/100_0552_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuFgdfMU8WXP9bhOmcOM8RZwuMgPRHeIzPY-WMntF7-f74_hUpqnhKG1hxbYgzZx0hn8BumMBTVXQgFVpMi0dZ5PehVUbvoPZpXhuYxTET0SxWojMVfTq3XgIwINQUuRk_gPhYd3IwIkN/s320/100_0552_2.JPG" title="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" width="293" /></a></div>
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This is a great activity for all ages of kids. I've used it with one-year-old toddlers and kindergartners. With younger kids, I just put in 1 or 2 items. With kindergartners, put in several items and lay similar items beside the box. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJabLDldjC-sjEJa5klqppL3qFOwHrbh6D4ZKhmJLRex-ZLn1u_6K6Qk7_vw_f9TJkq6nuVbSw74If95oSA7vZBpDW-RLJx9ARQQg_nQXLe1sY0L90sxtMuqvEyk6EpNmtUzo6ncYs8rp/s1600/100_0540_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJabLDldjC-sjEJa5klqppL3qFOwHrbh6D4ZKhmJLRex-ZLn1u_6K6Qk7_vw_f9TJkq6nuVbSw74If95oSA7vZBpDW-RLJx9ARQQg_nQXLe1sY0L90sxtMuqvEyk6EpNmtUzo6ncYs8rp/s320/100_0540_2.JPG" title="Oatmeal Feel Box (Brick by Brick)" width="320" /></a></div>
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They can feel one of the items they can see and then find items that feel the same inside the box. </div>
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Another advantage - no peeking! Kids cannot see inside the box, even when they reach inside it.</div>
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This box can be used in games in circle time. You can add it to any center, depending on what is inside it. Use it in small groups to feel letters or shapes. Place something inside to develop thinking and reasoning skills - guess what it is by the clues you get from its shape, size, and texture.<br />
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When you're done, you can store it as is, or pull off the sock and drop it in the box for storage.</div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-88199519051831327732019-07-16T14:24:00.001-05:002019-07-16T14:24:53.190-05:00Add Straws to the Block CenterBlock accessories can be expensive. But a trip to the dollar store or grocery store can yield materials to supplement your block center at little cost. One day in the grocery store, I saw packets of neon straws. I tossed a pack into my cart and took them to my classroom. I didn't have a plan for the straws. I thought my great thinkers in the classroom could figure something out.<br />
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I put the straws in the blocks center. My group likes to build and I want to give them some different things to work with. We were talking about wells, so I also added a couple of small buckets with yarn attached. (In the past, kids have built wells and pretended to scoop out water.)<br />
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A couple of boys decided to use the straws as "water." They stuffed the straws into the buckets and transported them across the center. They dumped the "water" onto the picture of the well, I think to fill it up. The boys worked at this for a while.<br />
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Meanwhile, in another part of the center, one of my builders was at work creating a large structure.<br />
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After the others left, the builder completed his building and began to scoop and play with the straws.<br />
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Then he decided to incorporate the straws in his structure.<br />
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I love how each straw is strategically placed. He worked really hard to find just the right spot for each one.<br />
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Sometimes I'll put things out and they will be ignored. Sometimes the kids do things that I expect. And sometimes I get a block structure filled with straws. And if I put these same materials out with a different group of kids, I'll get a different result.<br />
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Repurposing and recycling materials for the classroom is great for the budget. It's great for creative thinking. And it's just fun!Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-29641742311775435402019-07-03T13:07:00.001-05:002019-07-03T13:07:28.485-05:00Let's Learn TogetherI love to learn new stuff. Going to conferences...reading books...talking with other teachers...watching videos...listening to podcasts. These are all ways I learn and probably you, too.<br />
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<a href="https://www.theteachingtribe.com/soartosuccesssummit/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvvDYCmUinrDScVDlmWQ0gLW3VV1ydZkEK8dUm1CES5EPtlifG8Bks3JYpbNZhzL7u_xkl90uxEFLM1ggCzmXwpXrfM6iF0Tn38WlLMXA65xInh5uPgte9op1REzVbw0fwHpylCVd5rA/s320/2019-S2S-square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm excited about a week-long opportunity to learn. The second <a href="https://www.theteachingtribe.com/soartosuccesssummit/" target="_blank">Soar to Success Summit</a> is July 15-19. It's online learning with people who know about teaching young kids. Full disclosure: I'm on the list this year! It was great fun making the video and talking about teaching kids. Here's a clip.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u2ejZkB9Ba0" width="560"></iframe>
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What I like best about these videos are the hands-on, practical stuff. I love to learn all kinds of things but the best things are the ones that I can put into practice in the classroom immediately.<br />
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Use this summit to brush up on skills, get new ideas, or take a running start at the new year.<br />
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<a href="https://www.theteachingtribe.com/soartosuccesssummit/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM0e1o7Lokrgbdb1jUrSvrt7VxtSHGxhZ2bjMtES4rKkrydnpB9kLqC4M-oqtJ04BYkMHAuOzPVX_TpBdRSurk9OvsINuE6-m8jlH0V8nYMJ2DZr0xjiS_y4gNwxajCXqtyShFhlTKWc/s400/Scott+04+-+Instagram.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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And, in celebration of the summit--and because I missed it, too--I'm going to resume posting here on a weekly (or so) basis. First up are posts with recycle, repurpose, and reuse ideas for teaching.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-37105304367841835272018-05-29T16:27:00.003-05:002018-05-29T16:27:31.562-05:00Build with Rolled Newspaper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo6bU2iSh8l7iiMr459IqK9wOIkCocH_wMWB0O35R-MfFdMS96F-TSSNKauM4tftzOcJcRfjtz-L-xw8cc6QTNPh19WB5Sd8zDglAzpmeJifdLKxfW9vf-aFXsZAkI5_jWkcEazXVEl8/s1600/newspaper+rolls+%2528Brick+by+Brick%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Build with Newspaper Rolls (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo6bU2iSh8l7iiMr459IqK9wOIkCocH_wMWB0O35R-MfFdMS96F-TSSNKauM4tftzOcJcRfjtz-L-xw8cc6QTNPh19WB5Sd8zDglAzpmeJifdLKxfW9vf-aFXsZAkI5_jWkcEazXVEl8/s400/newspaper+rolls+%2528Brick+by+Brick%2529.jpg" title="Build with Newspaper Rolls (Brick by Brick)" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have kids who love the blocks center - who love to build and construct and explore how to make things. Sometimes it's a challenge to find things that are different or that push them to explore in different ways. I'm always on the lookout for another way to bring different or expanded play into our building area.<br /><br />Another one of my favorite things to do is repurpose materials, especially materials that were destined to be trashed. This activity reuses newspapers and challenges kids to build in new ways. If you are looking for a fun STEM exploration, this may be just what you need.<br /><br /><br />Take newspapers. Roll a few sheets together. Tape closed. Build.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQ5qiOH3wt7zYpCmOizHy_dSCnhRdkef3qRFxPLgRbFjJAvM9oAPi-0gruBn1pZrZK4eyBjjHyCdze2-A4qd0xEIbAybs0cZ-K1uCkyVDAbbJLJiQh6T-5-FiLyOQipkMu9T7TPmGeo/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZQ5qiOH3wt7zYpCmOizHy_dSCnhRdkef3qRFxPLgRbFjJAvM9oAPi-0gruBn1pZrZK4eyBjjHyCdze2-A4qd0xEIbAybs0cZ-K1uCkyVDAbbJLJiQh6T-5-FiLyOQipkMu9T7TPmGeo/s320/IMG_2665.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUNsuigljVWSGNsZ1IYFdxFc6_F7Jcw8HH0W_Lysx05C95beAGA0cWHLi_dprdnW8VIr9RzxnTadSfMK6cvuT5OZTLBZX6hfsLQ43GAZtWUOfDrhv0y97hbadpl_ZIBkq8gjhzb4LieQ/s1600/IMG_2669_2.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUNsuigljVWSGNsZ1IYFdxFc6_F7Jcw8HH0W_Lysx05C95beAGA0cWHLi_dprdnW8VIr9RzxnTadSfMK6cvuT5OZTLBZX6hfsLQ43GAZtWUOfDrhv0y97hbadpl_ZIBkq8gjhzb4LieQ/s320/IMG_2669_2.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Encourage kids to experiment with different ways to build. As you can see above, I put a few out in a configuration to invite kids to try this activity. But soon they launched into their own ideas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg3ns6aNJ-fVClyb-p1ZK0YWiJSd2MBkKBC8ufBc-6QxuxldbGmObq8_gnRUynb_dFWZmWE5s5DJr2EYfuIZDoJ9eaVmUBAbaGHUtg2SYUw8ULROJ3cayRsriadfG9szsNDWe_MgPe0s/s1600/IMG_2596_2.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg3ns6aNJ-fVClyb-p1ZK0YWiJSd2MBkKBC8ufBc-6QxuxldbGmObq8_gnRUynb_dFWZmWE5s5DJr2EYfuIZDoJ9eaVmUBAbaGHUtg2SYUw8ULROJ3cayRsriadfG9szsNDWe_MgPe0s/s320/IMG_2596_2.JPG" /></a></div>
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When exploring with a new or unusual material, kids will get ideas that do not work. Or they will encounter new and different problems that need solving. I try to ask questions to help them think about the issue and consider new solutions. For example: "What could we do to help the rolls stand up?"<br /><br /><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VrK8Cfr8fdrJ0OAOgD1NysNVNk2zYEfbGQl-XA5FneZy4ZaYr8hr1e3SVF2Zu9TLuwvYio7OIAreR2-sCWVWxn8gUGwU6SC3vo-MOsnW2ENb_W381GNYpNHWQFGGDnOehsSEw-iAAPo/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VrK8Cfr8fdrJ0OAOgD1NysNVNk2zYEfbGQl-XA5FneZy4ZaYr8hr1e3SVF2Zu9TLuwvYio7OIAreR2-sCWVWxn8gUGwU6SC3vo-MOsnW2ENb_W381GNYpNHWQFGGDnOehsSEw-iAAPo/s320/IMG_2677.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />So we moved from the carpet to the tile area (his idea).<br /><br /></div>
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Another one: "The ends are rolling out. What could we do to stop that?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5_alGT4JztmpLAwyyvdph6lZApLmgErgf4_ZiVts2VvtsFV7QWEJdlFLm8UDyc3UKmqxfiqMMYvbE1Jqw_6dfR9Y5Jpo_FMwAvoCCDY-IotdrcrD1y73mmieOc9cbId0Wmhut2DqlPY/s1600/IMG_2694.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5_alGT4JztmpLAwyyvdph6lZApLmgErgf4_ZiVts2VvtsFV7QWEJdlFLm8UDyc3UKmqxfiqMMYvbE1Jqw_6dfR9Y5Jpo_FMwAvoCCDY-IotdrcrD1y73mmieOc9cbId0Wmhut2DqlPY/s320/IMG_2694.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />She found some things in the room to help her create a more stable end to her structure.<br /><br /><br /><b>Some variations:</b><br /><br />Add tape and scissors. Kids can make more stable and permanent structures by attaching the rolls together.<br /><br />Use pages from an old atlas, catalogues, or magazines instead of newspaper pages.<br /><br />Roll the newspaper on a diagonal to make longer rolls with tapered edges.<br /><br /><br /><br />(Check out my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rscottwiley/dollar-store-and-dumpster-ideas/">Dollar Store and Dumpster Pinterest Board</a> for more repurpose/reuse ideas!)<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1863px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1863px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-4987729460268944212018-05-21T12:36:00.001-05:002018-05-21T12:36:24.270-05:00A Little Autonomy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiKYrwueLQ026gB0h2bxZPpKBBtoodmqz62ab1nyBSssBBGvFF2pEaTGBOs04VwEP29djzTpSMid6SOl_SPk7_2wnBR-QsaTkTvWxmJr4NRqVBFQegylfLjTTAimS2iPkuovjg5Q1lrY/s1600/bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiKYrwueLQ026gB0h2bxZPpKBBtoodmqz62ab1nyBSssBBGvFF2pEaTGBOs04VwEP29djzTpSMid6SOl_SPk7_2wnBR-QsaTkTvWxmJr4NRqVBFQegylfLjTTAimS2iPkuovjg5Q1lrY/s1600/bowl.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <i>If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?</i></td></tr>
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I've been reading the book <i>If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?</i> by Alan Alda (yes that one). It's a book about communication, mainly his exploration of how to help scientists communicate their ideas more clearly with non-scientists. It's a great book about communication in general and I found many things that triggered my thinking as I thought about communicating with young children.<br />
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But the above quote definitely caught me. Play is all about giving the children some autonomy...and allowing them the joy of discovery. How can you give kids some autonomy, some say in what they are doing and learning? How can you give some independence? How can you recapture your own joy of discover?Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-2776285312943532282018-05-18T15:00:00.001-05:002018-05-18T15:01:05.151-05:00Inspiration from the Blogosphere: Art Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love art with preschoolers. Paint or crayons or stickers all give opportunities for young children to show their ideas and just explore "stuff" in new and different ways. A couple of years ago we did an <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/search?q=art+camp" target="_blank">art camp</a> with some kids at our church. We're doing it again this year. As I plan and think about that, I also try to capture new or unusual ideas for us to try.<br />
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Here are a few ideas from around the blogosphere, some new and some not, that I'm thinking about.<br />
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<a href="https://tinkerlab.com/looping-twisties-through-paper/" target="_blank">Sculptures with chenille stems and paper shapes (TinkerLab)</a><br />
I like the possibilities that this holds. And, if I give the hole punches to my kids, I see even more possibilities.<br />
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<a href="http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com/2011/05/paper-plate-stencils.html" target="_blank">Paper Plate Stencils (Little Learning for Two)</a><br />
We have used plastic stencils with colored pencils and pens. I like the idea of creating our own shapes - and maybe using paint instead of writing items.<br />
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<a href="https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/ping-pong-shooter-painting.html" target="_blank">Ball Shooter Painting (Fantastic Fun & Learning)</a><br />
We've painted with balls in a variety of ways but we've never launched them at the canvas before!<br />
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<a href="https://picklebums.com/straw-mosaic-art/" target="_blank">Straw Mosaic Art (Picklebums)</a><br />
I like the dimensional quality to these creations.<br />
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<a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/tape-resist-i-love-you-paintings-gifts/" target="_blank">Tape Resist Paintings (Pre-K Pages)</a><br />
Our new favorite art media are <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2018/05/paint-sticks-new-favorite.html" target="_blank">tempera paint sticks</a>. I like the idea of using them here with tape to create resist art.<br />
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We will definitely repeat some of our previous ideas. (But probably no <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2017/01/string-and-paint.html" target="_blank">string painting</a>!) As we refine our camp, I'll give you an update.<br />
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What are your favorite art experiences with preschoolers and kindergartners?<br />
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If you want to see other ideas I have collected, check out my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rscottwiley/art-ideas/" target="_blank">Art Ideas Pinterest Board</a>.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-869938116803534282018-05-17T12:56:00.000-05:002018-05-17T12:56:08.193-05:00Thinking Beyond Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Preschoolers are very self-focused. That's just who they are. They see the world from their own perspective and struggle with seeing it from the viewpoint of others. As they get older, they develop more understanding of others and empathy with them. It's always exciting to see young children thinking about others and the ideas and preferences beyond their own.<br />
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Recently we were making cards for our mothers (or someone else). We had markers and stickers, just your regular preschool art materials. Of course, as preschoolers work, I talk with them.<br />
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As always seems the case in these circumstances, we began to talk about colors. I made a comment about a color someone was using. And then comments about colors began to zoom around the table. One boy talked about a color he liked. "I like that color, too," I commented.<br />
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Another boy said, "I like all the colors. Except yellow."<br />
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"Really," I said. "Why don't you like yellow?" He shrugged and kept drawing.<br />
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"Sometimes yellow is hard to use," I said. "It doesn't always show up when we draw with it."<br />
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Another child patiently explained to me how to make yellow show up on the paper. (You mark with it over and over in the same place.) Our conversation moved on to other things.<br />
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I walked around the table, looking at the things that the children were doing, as we finished our cards. I came back to the first boy and looked at the rainbow he drew. "Wow," I said, "you used all the colors in your rainbow." I pointed at a line. "You used yellow, too, even though you don't like it."<br />
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He looked up at me and replied in his most patient voice. "My mom likes yellow."<br />
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I had to smile. "Oh, I see. Your mother likes yellow so you used it on your drawing. That's very smart to think about who will get your card and use things she likes."<br />
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I love to see my kids grow. I love that my friend thought about what his mother would like and used that on his card for her instead of what he would like. Letting kids explore their own ideas helps them develop in their own natural ways - and show you that growth through their work and play.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-80815932720418147392018-05-16T10:33:00.001-05:002018-05-16T10:35:34.423-05:00How You Ask<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think that communication is one of the key things in the classroom. The words I say (and they say), the tone of the room, the way the room is set up - all of these are means of communication. And, as <a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/" target="_blank">Vanessa at Pre-K Pages</a> often says, "All behavior is communication." The children communicate through what they do and how they act or react. If they are antsy, they are telling me something. I must just listen.<br />
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I am often surprised by the way I sometimes hear communication with preschoolers. Sometimes voices are harsh and commanding. Sometimes the only things said are orders. Sometimes the voices are more sing-songy and baby-ish. At one time or another, I have done all of these communications.<br />
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Over the years, I've learned that how you ask or say things is as important as what you actually say. I never (now) ask, "Would you like to clean up?" Well, I don't unless the child can choose not to clean up. (Never offer a choice unless it's a real choice.) I give some context or explanation when making a request. "I need your help. Please do this...." If there's no choice, I just state what needs to happen. "Please put the blocks in the blue bin and the cars in the small bin."<br />
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When our table needs cleaning after art or play dough, I often say, "Will you help me? Could you wash the table with this wet cloth?" Now, I am offering a choice and the child could say no. If the child does, I tell him what I want him to do instead (Go sit in group time or whatever) and ask someone else to help.<br />
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But I've discovered that more often than not, young kids want to help and want to do things for their adults.<br />
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Communication is about respect, about expectation, and about relationship. That doesn't happen overnight. It takes consistency and patience. But the payoff is a great classroom community where everyone contributes.<br />
<br />Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-33835750447216003692018-05-14T17:03:00.000-05:002018-05-14T17:03:07.076-05:00Paint Sticks: A New Favorite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My wife is the perfect match for me. We have taught together in early childhood classrooms in our church for a while. Now she even buys things for our classroom without my asking - or without even telling me until the box arrives. Recently she purchased some paint sticks - tempera paint in a "lipstick" type format. (We bought them from Amazon.)<br />
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We have been using them for the past couple of weeks...and I'm sold. I always like for kids to have similar experiences with different types of media. So we use (at various times and sometimes at the same time) crayons, markers, colored pencils, gel pens, chalk. We've even used charcoal pencils and pastels. While the drawing is a similar activity, each medium gives a different type of experience because the lines are different and the way the marks interact with the paper is different.<br />
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These tempera paint sticks are fun and easy to use. The colors are vibrant. And my girls enjoyed the ones that had glitter in them. (As you know, the only way I use glitter is encased in something else!)<br />
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The paint isn't wet like using regular tempera on a brush. Make a line and the color stays in place without running or smudging. Of course, if you rub, it may smudge a little. But overall it's very clean to use.<br />
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If you like to make wide swaths of color - like my kids - then the surface does stay tacky for a while. That means that if you press your arm on it or another piece of paper on it, it will stick. But you can carefully peel it off with no mess. (Well, maybe you'll have to wash your arm a little.)<br />
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Since my kids like to draw right on the edge of the paper, they got lines of the paint on the table. But it washed off quickly and easily with a wet paper towel. (And, yes, I enlisted some kids to do that, too.)<br />
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I'm glad we have added these paint sticks to our art collection. They are definitely keepers.<br />
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And, after we used them for the first time, I saw this post about using them for <a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/tape-resist-i-love-you-paintings-gifts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tape resist pictures (from Pre-K Pages)</a>.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-39259673087296745332018-05-12T13:15:00.002-05:002018-05-12T13:15:36.601-05:00The Moment You've Been Given<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdwlY8YieE7m7AlWIbKckSzqOKXloHBO9i0O-Uls1SxPBQenW7pJktDbmubILj18daPaZzGs1nnkpaTOjsFH4zS3nXSmTZNDNfbUr-imyVq0kGY_8xpy5A13pyLkhXCU1Ex4dWFUtOo8/s1600/blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Focus quote (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdwlY8YieE7m7AlWIbKckSzqOKXloHBO9i0O-Uls1SxPBQenW7pJktDbmubILj18daPaZzGs1nnkpaTOjsFH4zS3nXSmTZNDNfbUr-imyVq0kGY_8xpy5A13pyLkhXCU1Ex4dWFUtOo8/s1600/blocks.jpg" title="Focus on moment (Brick by Brick)" /></a></div>
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I read this quote regarding our day to day lives and our work. But I think it really applies to teaching preschoolers. Too often we get caught up in what we are trying to teach or communicate or do. Or we get focused on what we want to help children build or discover for their future lives. We forget to focus no the now, to be present in the moment and truly experience that moment with children.<br />
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Who they are and who you are will not be the same later in the day or tomorrow. The moment will be different - not necessarily better or worse but different. Experience each moment fully without getting hung up on what's next.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-69093113272942656302018-05-09T08:30:00.000-05:002018-05-09T08:30:02.364-05:00What If Thinking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I was playing a game with a group of 4 year olds. We had cards with animal pictures. We were sorting into three groups - those with fur, those with feathers, and those without fur or feathers. Why were we doing this?<br />
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Well, my primary reason was that it was the first activity of the session and I needed something to do as kids arrived. Children could easily join this activity while it was in progress. I could quickly explain what was going on, and kids were immediately engaged in something when they arrived so they wouldn’t be left to their own devices.<br />
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We were doing this because our focus for this year is the world God made and thinking about animals relates to that overall focus.<br />
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We were sorting animals because grouping things into sets is a good math skill. And thinking about similarities and differences is good foundational thinking for literacy comprehension and science/social studies thinking later on.<br />
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And we were doing it because it’s a fun thing to do together, building community and camaraderie.<br />
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As we were going through the activity, I heard myself asking questions, not preplanned questions just spontaneous ones. The questions started off helping clarify thinking as kids sorted: “Does a bear have feathers?” Then the questions sharpened a little as some differences of opinion came up: “Does a zebra have fur? What is on the outside of a zebra’s body? Is that smooth hair a kind of fur?”<br />
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When things came to these types of fine distinctions, I let the child who drew the card decide. A cow has a hide but is that fur? Does the cow picture go in the fur column or the neither column? In the spirit of compromise, we decided to put the card between the two columns.<br />
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This seemingly simple sorting activity began to generate some higher level thinking skills, some refinement to the this, this, or this nature of what we were doing.<br />
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I began to ask other questions as we went along: “If a fish had feathers, would it be able to swim under the water easily?” The kids giggled at the thought of a feathered fish. But they thought about and talked about what might happen if there were feathers on a trout.<br />
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After we sorted all the cards, the kids wanted to go again. This time we sorted into two groups: “I would want one” and “I would not want one.” A more subjective sort. The child drawing the card would decide if he would want one of those animals living at his house or not. I didn’t really ask questions (except would you want one of these or not) but I did narrate as we played. “He would not want a lizard. She would want a cat.”<br />
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But thinking was still going on. When a boy placed the cow in “would not” column, I said, “He would not want a cow.” A girl spoke up: “But if you lived on a farm….” <br />
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“Yes,” I said, “if you lived on a farm, you may want a cow. But if you live in a regular house it would be difficult to have a cow there.”<br />
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I’ve seen this type of activity in worksheet format. Students draw lines or print words to sort categories. I’ve even seen where the items are cut out and glued into the appropriate space. Is it the same activity? Would the same type of learning and thinking occur?<br />
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It could. After all, most of the thinking occurred as a result of our conversation not the activity itself. Those conversations could still take place while kids are doing a worksheet. But in playing our game, the focus was on one animal at a time and everyone was thinking about the same one at the same time. In worksheets, even in directed practice, some kids are thinking about the current one, others are lagging behind, and still others are racing to be done. The same dynamic would not be in play.<br />
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I can see how play - the game - leads to better thinking and learning than the worksheet. But the most important factor is engagement. Teachers and kids working together, thinking together, talking together. Often there is too little of this in the classroom.</div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-72279080241050095462018-05-08T08:30:00.000-05:002018-05-08T08:30:00.193-05:00Play Is Better With "With"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I sat beside the block center, talking with a friend as she was beginning to build. We were talking about various things, both about what she was doing and about what had been happening in her life.<br />
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She placed various blocks, one on another, without a particular plan. She would place one and rearrange slightly and then place another. She put a triangle block on top of another and we watched it slide down the incline.<br />
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"That block just slid down the other one," I said. (I often narrate what I see, allowing the child to pick up the conversation if she chooses.) She nodded.<br />
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Then she knocked down what she was doing and looked up at me. "Would you build a park with me?" she asked.<br />
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"You can build it," I said, "and I will watch you."<br />
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<i>STOP. Freeze the frame. Go back and read her question and my response again. What did she ask? What did I say?</i><br />
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Okay, let's start back up. I let those words filter through my brain quickly.<br />
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"I'll be glad to build with you," I said. I moved to the floor as she beamed up at me.<br />
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Now my first response was okay. I think it's important for children to do their own work and I will often say that they need to do things for themselves. I do not draw pictures for children or make things for them. I want to see their ideas and not my own - and they can work to produce what they want as well.<br />
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But in this case, my friend didn't want me to do something for her. She wanted me to do something WITH her. We had not interacted much lately and this building together was a way for us to has a social experience. I randomly stacked a few blocks as she built a slide and a swing. Then the swing morphed into the front gate. It wasn't long until she moved to play with a friend in our home center.<br />
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But I remembered that playing WITH someone is better - especially when you are 5 or 6 - than playing alone. Playing is as much a social learning time as any other learning time.<br />
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Besides, who doesn't enjoy cooperative block building. I need more of that in my life.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-47598137600978811952018-03-30T13:39:00.002-05:002018-03-30T13:39:56.034-05:00Throughts and Reflections on My Blog's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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March is my blog's birthday. Nine years ago I began posting thoughts here about play and preschoolers and learning. (I guess I can still claim 9 years even though I've had a break for the past few months - well, I'm claiming it anyway!)<br />
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I have written here about play and the ways that we have played for 9 years. In those years, I have learned some things and changed my mind about some things. I've found allies and ran into some critics.
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I have taught preschoolers in <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-i-learned-at-art-camp.html" target="_blank">art camp</a> and in choir, taught kindergartners at church, taught first and second graders in public school.
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I have talked with professors and other teachers in a variety of settings. I have listened to administrators and thought leaders and politicians. I have read blogs and books and tweets.
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As I think back through those nine years and all those interactions, I have a few reflections.</div>
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<li>Preschoolers and older kids play and will continue to play and learn through play. On their own, children play. And they learn and try and fail and help one another and experiment and grow in their knowledge and skills. They will do this without the intervention or in spite of the intervention of adults. Children play because that is what they have been designed to do.</li>
<li>Lots of things that adults do and impose on children in the name of education are not helpful and could be harmful. Even well-intentioned adults make some less-than-helpful choices. This usually happens when adults focus on things other than the children and their development.</li>
<li>There are lots of good ways to be an effective teacher, an engaging educator. Some of those ways are right in my ballpark and some are not. But someone who doesn’t do things exactly my way isn’t necessarily a "less good" (or "more good") teacher.</li>
<li>In most cases, we should strive for <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2015/09/balancing-act.html" target="_blank">balance</a>. When looking at things like technology, literacy, independent learning, projects, crafts, or whatever, often the best course is a middle one. We should choose things <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2015/12/teaching-with-intention-final-thoughts.html" target="_blank">intentionally</a> and purposefully.</li>
<li>We do best when we listen to the children. Listen to what they are telling us by their behavior. If they are wiggling and squirming and shouting, they may be telling us that what we’re asking of them isn’t appropriate for this group of kids. We are doing something too long or too complicated or too uninteresting (from their viewpoints). Listening to the behavior tells us it’s time to adjust.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>We should also listen to the children through conversation and talking with them. Children are looking for adults to listen to what they say. I can learn what fears are troubling them, what family situations are going on, what interests may be a key to further learning…if I just listen to the words coming out of their mouths. I love to have conversations with children. I ask questions or just say, “tell me about it.” And they will and do.</li>
<li>Speak a kind word. Look for a teachable moment when a child is helping a friend or exploring an idea. Notice. Tell the child that you notice. Children often hear lots of things they are not doing right or well. Help them discover their successes.</li>
<li>We all know exactly what to do….until that one child comes along to explode our pet theory. Every time I have things all figured out, I get a class that helps me discover new and uncharted areas.</li>
<li>A group of children think that the adult in their world is more important than any other celebrity. (Just see one outside the classroom and you'll know what I mean!)</li>
<li><a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2011/04/no-labels.html" target="_blank">Grace</a> goes a long way. Yes, we will all mess up or have a bad day. But after you deal with it, it’s over. The Vegas rule is usually the best one - what happens here stays here. And what happened yesterday stays in yesterday. Today is a new day to engage with one another and start fresh. (If there's a persistent problem, take steps to address it. Otherwise, every day is a new day.)</li>
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Nothing profound. Nothing revolutionary. And maybe nothing that you didn't already know long ago. But these things help me think about how I approach the classroom and how I interact with young children. </div>
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I plan to be here, blogging about these and other playing/learning topics for a while yet. And remember the most important thing: <b>Playing = Learning</b> (for children and adults) Go out and play today!</div>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-52364670396151512672017-11-02T08:33:00.000-05:002017-11-02T08:33:05.039-05:00What's the Focus <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUzkqKOI4IShq8eV11LCV1W_r7fdsR81fB_NvHLaxTfkAozbp8P37bswhMiBnaleX0Xrw5FsLMf7u9HZ55eeR9GKBqKuGWaytTgTOX58XmU_u4W2X4u33dLZc_Pqyhkng4TXl4W9Ek4w/s1600/need+now+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Purposeful Play Quote (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUzkqKOI4IShq8eV11LCV1W_r7fdsR81fB_NvHLaxTfkAozbp8P37bswhMiBnaleX0Xrw5FsLMf7u9HZ55eeR9GKBqKuGWaytTgTOX58XmU_u4W2X4u33dLZc_Pqyhkng4TXl4W9Ek4w/s1600/need+now+quote.jpg" title="Purposeful Play Quote (Brick by Brick)" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <i>Purposeful Play</i></td></tr>
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I watched a child carefully select the bricks she needed to complete her house. Then I watched her create landscape for the yard. She's executing a plan, expressing ideas, engineering her vision, developing spatial skills. This is what she needs now.<br />
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What kids at this age need most is time and space to explore their world.<br />
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*<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2017/09/reading-and-reflecting-purposeful-play.html" target="_blank">reflections on Purposeful Play</a>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-40013650639825014592017-10-26T10:49:00.000-05:002017-10-26T10:49:18.147-05:00Keeping Play in Balance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8qWWiI1XuXDffeX4u1HdQ8wq5WGWH0RP6CezONC62oUO4XdFxPwUo_snxoUKfOJizfsYzZg347vz0rLZoz-lC7_QJo1GhjriWl1oGol-eb0PThUX_wJI0IjZ0U-ShQXQXaGPqBgvcdM/s1600/reading+purposeful+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8qWWiI1XuXDffeX4u1HdQ8wq5WGWH0RP6CezONC62oUO4XdFxPwUo_snxoUKfOJizfsYzZg347vz0rLZoz-lC7_QJo1GhjriWl1oGol-eb0PThUX_wJI0IjZ0U-ShQXQXaGPqBgvcdM/s1600/reading+purposeful+play.jpg" /></a></div>
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This fall I'm reading <i>Purposeful Play</i> by Mraz, Porcelli, and Tyler. </div>
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<b>Chapter 2 - Balanced Play: How It Makes Kids' Lives Better</b></div>
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"For children, play is the furnace in which much of their brain development is forged."<br />
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This chapter covered a lot of material that I was already familiar with. What I like about this book is that it covers topics succinctly and pulls ideas from different sources in an easily understandable way. The authors cover different types of play and different stages of play - and while I have read about these types of ideas before, I enjoyed reading the treatment of them in this book. Let's look at some of those ideas.</div>
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As discussed in other books, the authors stress that play can be just about anything. Different individuals - children and adults - will see different things as play. What it comes down to is the motivation behind the activity. Was the activity self-chosen? Is the activity enjoyable (to the individual)? Can the activity be adapted at the will of the individual? If it fits these types of characteristics, the activity is play for the child or adult.</div>
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There are different kinds of play - and a child should have a balance of the different kinds. Kids explore different kinds of concepts and develop in different ways through fantasy/imaginative play, constructive play, games with rules, and rough-and-tumble play. (Check out more about different kinds of play, according to <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/11/minimally-invasive-education.html" target="_blank">Peter Gray</a> and <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/05/playing-to-become-part-of-society.html" target="_blank">David Elkind</a>.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81nuOqi2qHrjtI8YpW01rWBGAxF-y8P4Mazpd63kCkeH5aF7WLFeKcV9e5BgU2mTvf2YvmwGoknir8w0rto08CsDGbbW-JtvZegI4478m7wAIbgXI7j9DRNvYW65fk_7iuyzsefsDCEo/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81nuOqi2qHrjtI8YpW01rWBGAxF-y8P4Mazpd63kCkeH5aF7WLFeKcV9e5BgU2mTvf2YvmwGoknir8w0rto08CsDGbbW-JtvZegI4478m7wAIbgXI7j9DRNvYW65fk_7iuyzsefsDCEo/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really liked the different stages of play. This discussion made my think about the play continuum in terms of what is the child doing in relation to other children. </div>
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<li>Unoccupied behavior - watching others when something catches his interest but otherwise unengaged</li>
<li>Onlooker - deliberately watching others' play and perhaps asking questions about it</li>
<li>Solitary play - playing alone and totally absorbed in what he's doing; no interaction with others</li>
<li>Parallel play - playing with same materials as another child but doing his own play; may talk about what he's doing with others</li>
<li>Associative play - playing with others with same materials or in same activity; talk together about what they are doing but no planning; playing together but not working together</li>
<li>Cooperative play - playing together on common activity/project, forgoing individual goals for the group's goal</li>
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Seeing play as a continuum between individual action and group action is a new insight for me. And makes a lot of sense.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojcjPTBIwCkND96b49q4PXsWMMLEuygOYz_sLuafRyps2SyzlG0N6xjq7LYqsL3E7vVJW4uWFAWnR43FXdrgxZC6uGIHLjvkSN-3h8hXjG0fCPebfkzn4_V1-vTGkN6sWqjvWC2VXo84/s1600/punching+holes+kindergarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojcjPTBIwCkND96b49q4PXsWMMLEuygOYz_sLuafRyps2SyzlG0N6xjq7LYqsL3E7vVJW4uWFAWnR43FXdrgxZC6uGIHLjvkSN-3h8hXjG0fCPebfkzn4_V1-vTGkN6sWqjvWC2VXo84/s320/punching+holes+kindergarten.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are three key quotes from this chapter that I want to remember:</div>
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<ol>
<li>"There is often such a desire in schools to focus on what children need next that we forget what children need now." (I've said <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/08/dont-miss-present.html" target="_blank">something similar.</a>..so I naturally agree!)</li>
<li>"In all stages of play, children are refining what it means to create, innovate, explore, and develop into incredible human beings." (Play is key to development in all areas.)</li>
<li>"Play allows children the means and the method to learn and adapt to a changing world." (Play is the natural way that children learn about the world.)</li>
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Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-49102270964483757812017-10-23T19:23:00.003-05:002017-10-23T19:23:39.664-05:00Negative Space Collages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJKFOGt6AXY0qNWJV6_8TY2_tfcYT0Vh4cbAuVJ9iTlajlLvPouX4KX8I8sPumoeuv-OXKZ6x6_mv_lX1sPv5XIHtPx7gotrv60dT-O7g4Zu_obsX9piCaplKESLg5n3Pw7CsLiG5f8E/s1600/negative+space+collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJKFOGt6AXY0qNWJV6_8TY2_tfcYT0Vh4cbAuVJ9iTlajlLvPouX4KX8I8sPumoeuv-OXKZ6x6_mv_lX1sPv5XIHtPx7gotrv60dT-O7g4Zu_obsX9piCaplKESLg5n3Pw7CsLiG5f8E/s400/negative+space+collages.jpg" title="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" width="400" /></a></div>
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This activity is one we did in Vacation Bible School. The theme was a space theme so our exploration was similarly themed. But the "space" in this title doesn't refer to that theme but the space in the paper.<br />
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We cut moon shaped holes in paper. This space should be shaped in whatever way you choose. It could reflect another theme or just be a random shape...even just a wavy hole. Cut clear contact plastic to the appropriate size and cover the hole. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahDUGgtMlLMHGbvp_dd1vCfYgaa1-8t3K_TKA22H9U7OZDWC52EFLUe6WyorHquGNPSQ6dHaDc7ERFKvQGIn_pCL11fI6OvBa2RRsCsevcZ8JDwbsNgyJ9n8BdrHXZMUuLcLCgjvS1WM/s1600/moon+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahDUGgtMlLMHGbvp_dd1vCfYgaa1-8t3K_TKA22H9U7OZDWC52EFLUe6WyorHquGNPSQ6dHaDc7ERFKvQGIn_pCL11fI6OvBa2RRsCsevcZ8JDwbsNgyJ9n8BdrHXZMUuLcLCgjvS1WM/s320/moon+collage.jpg" title="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" width="215" /></a></div>
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Provide paper shapes for the children to place on the sticky paper. We had stars--some were cut from sparkly paper and some from just plain white paper. Children arranged stars as they chose in the opening on the paper.</div>
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Our children enjoyed exploring this different type of collage. Some covered the space fully while others arranged a few stars and were satisfied with the work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu07xzIg2g2BQ_0-lmDXBsS57xbVeCTqD7IzNouTMZLSvMpKX1K1PKDkVrv9Swr4_kx8cDp2zsSVHRjNLmgcw5FdgVrhxHNL6IlZvITPA2rKmygXsxBHJCsxcsJMfSjdL4P5Mvl0-wlo/s1600/negative+space+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu07xzIg2g2BQ_0-lmDXBsS57xbVeCTqD7IzNouTMZLSvMpKX1K1PKDkVrv9Swr4_kx8cDp2zsSVHRjNLmgcw5FdgVrhxHNL6IlZvITPA2rKmygXsxBHJCsxcsJMfSjdL4P5Mvl0-wlo/s320/negative+space+collage.jpg" title="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" width="320" /></a></div>
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When a child completed his collage, we placed another piece of clear sticky paper over the opening, sealing in the stars and covering all sticky areas.</div>
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We cut our shapes with scissors, freehand. But using a die cut machine or other cutter would speed up the preparation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpOV_DpykVoJHSFAxKKEL_pdZNPGQ8ExlK5nBcPCnDIZgbL80uD6OKCyHLC8CCbrfgglbSk4jU2yVjdpsgpAyXxOEPy2FMmkAf1w8jek-DEEThSWhaZO9c1_Y4X95mELdqZMTT-a4ef8/s1600/moon+collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpOV_DpykVoJHSFAxKKEL_pdZNPGQ8ExlK5nBcPCnDIZgbL80uD6OKCyHLC8CCbrfgglbSk4jU2yVjdpsgpAyXxOEPy2FMmkAf1w8jek-DEEThSWhaZO9c1_Y4X95mELdqZMTT-a4ef8/s320/moon+collages.jpg" title="Negative Space Collages (Brick by Brick)" width="320" /></a></div>
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Try this different type of collage, mixing up the hole shapes and the paper that is used to fill it in.</div>
Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-80940473324454604132017-10-20T14:04:00.001-05:002017-10-20T14:04:27.445-05:00Inspiration from the Blogosphere: Making Marks on the Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Preschoolers are interested in writing. They see adults writing things and are intrigued by these marks on the page. They play with writing, drawing lines and squiggles. They draw pictures to show their own ideas and what they are thinking. And, in addition, all those play experiences that develop their fine motor skills help prepare their hands and fingers for writing.<br />
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Below are some inspirations related to writing and pre-writing. Remember <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2017/10/play-writing.html" target="_blank">play = writing</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://teachpreschool.org/2017/09/17/best-diy-easel-ever/" target="_blank">Best DIY Easel Ever</a> (Teach Preschool)<br />
One of the ways that preschoolers love to make marks on the page is through painting. Deborah at Teach Preschool has a great DIY easel. Since I love repurposing things, I really liked this idea. And four kids can paint at once. If you don't have space for free-standing easel (or don't even have one), try this great idea from Deborah.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j2njFQx9vsap6zDr-eK0zx85f857b0JT0b3ObqhhAYiRdDysBhQLZhfTe2JKP8aRS4qNJSF2ClCX7wNtFNlS06AHD6XOa2SUWl1jSe0kfZQz3mmSiFSsCzAMJc-8psd4W4rds9f4Ny4/s1600/IMG_4469_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j2njFQx9vsap6zDr-eK0zx85f857b0JT0b3ObqhhAYiRdDysBhQLZhfTe2JKP8aRS4qNJSF2ClCX7wNtFNlS06AHD6XOa2SUWl1jSe0kfZQz3mmSiFSsCzAMJc-8psd4W4rds9f4Ny4/s320/IMG_4469_2.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have painted with feathers.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/sensory-tray-writing-center/" target="_blank">Sensory Writing Tray</a> (Pre-K Pages)<br />
I love to use writing trays. This post is a great look at the basics of a writing tray. You can use colored sand or salt, add scents (like lavender) to increase the sensory experience, provide cards with letters or shapes to copy, or just allow kids to explore with writing in the tray. In addition to using fingers, we've added watercolor brushes to write with. Kids can use the brush end or the handle end to write.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sunnydayfamily.com/2017/02/make-your-own-book-for-kids.html" target="_blank">Make Your Own Book</a> (Sunny Day Family)<br />
Some of my kids have loved making their own books. (Some of them just love using the <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2012/07/stapler-adventures.html" target="_blank">stapler</a>!) We usually just have blank paper, the stapler, and writing items. But Laura has created some templates for book pages. I like the "official" look of these pages and some budding authors would love to use these as a guide for writing and drawing their own books.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL_yjW_oYQRib6t_O8Nus1HBV0qr0ZMyZtvV09Eu3hYcKOmZvmKt34xB6aUa-d9_5qHsYAWiWPxkc_QL00F7wJx55wRSIbiW0VOsh3emG34q2-fBMVvVrX_6b64WOT-bs4dQ3viMgZSA/s1600/making+books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL_yjW_oYQRib6t_O8Nus1HBV0qr0ZMyZtvV09Eu3hYcKOmZvmKt34xB6aUa-d9_5qHsYAWiWPxkc_QL00F7wJx55wRSIbiW0VOsh3emG34q2-fBMVvVrX_6b64WOT-bs4dQ3viMgZSA/s1600/making+books.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes we have blank books in the writing center.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2011/07/dry-erase-mazes.html" target="_blank">Dry Erase Board Mazes</a> (No Time for Flash Cards)<br />
I stumbled upon this older post and immediately was intrigued. First of all, more repurposing with the CD cases. (I have some lying around.) I love the working on a maze and easily erasing a misstep along the way. And I thought it would be fun to take turns drawing a maze - on a dry erase board - and asking a friend to solve it. In either case, kids would be practicing making marks in a more controlled way. (And, if you don't have CD cases, use frames with clear glass or even a sheet protector clipped to a clipboard.)<br />
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<a href="https://teachingmama.org/fluffy-pumpkin-spice-slime/" target="_blank">Fluffy Pumpkin Spice Slime</a> (Teaching Mama)<br />
Building those small muscles of the hand and fingers is a great pre-writing activity. Anything that allows manipulation and squeezing and using the fingers can build fine motor skills. Angela posted this recipe for fun smelling slime and I really want to make some.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfJ2D2DHmXKyHFohZ2so7k0qzBukko5rkBUypFOVdtsIi31QyHNjWDiwAnAoll_csqa3doCzk6FfrV-XD8CHvVUPjzb1_VNaOWEM_4MP1DSTgQXw3fZdlBDB0fpuXjGqOhM6mojEtVo/s1600/galaxy+slime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfJ2D2DHmXKyHFohZ2so7k0qzBukko5rkBUypFOVdtsIi31QyHNjWDiwAnAoll_csqa3doCzk6FfrV-XD8CHvVUPjzb1_VNaOWEM_4MP1DSTgQXw3fZdlBDB0fpuXjGqOhM6mojEtVo/s320/galaxy+slime.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have made and used galaxy slime!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://busytoddler.com/2017/10/pom-pom-grab-and-drop/" target="_blank">Pom Pom Grab and Drop</a> (Busy Toddler)<br />
Moving thing with tongs is another great fine motor activity. Susie posted this activity...and I immediately began thinking about what other things we could move with tongs. Maybe my foam cubes or wide collection of plastic lids? Maybe magnet letters? Of course, pom-poms are great, too.<br />
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<a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/dollar-store-writing-center/" target="_blank">Dollar Store Writing Center</a> (Pre-K Pages)<br />
And check out this post I wrote for Vanessa and Pre-K Pages. You can create a writing center for your kids with items from a dollar store. Mix and match the items you'd like to have for your center. And encourage kids to make marks on a page...playing with writing. (More about <a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2011/05/favorite-things-writing-center.html" target="_blank">our writing center</a>.)<br />
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<br />Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-27233171729171519602017-10-18T13:06:00.000-05:002017-10-18T13:06:10.136-05:00Play = Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqPICU1H3kAK57BB6ay3mLWTEqQoD4q7IGO9KYzbn0Sx92dmIdvv3yVQve0Ko5LycbmyWjCSjE1Z-P4fNoARLTpEtl2902tXNo0t9rHQ9-QiIhGYeAF1Xp1K-_vHu6G4a3LANBsWJyA8/s1600/play+equals+writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Play equals writing (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqPICU1H3kAK57BB6ay3mLWTEqQoD4q7IGO9KYzbn0Sx92dmIdvv3yVQve0Ko5LycbmyWjCSjE1Z-P4fNoARLTpEtl2902tXNo0t9rHQ9-QiIhGYeAF1Xp1K-_vHu6G4a3LANBsWJyA8/s1600/play+equals+writing.jpg" title="Play equals writing (Brick by Brick)" /></a></div>
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Making meaningful marks on paper</div>
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Communicating your own ideas</div>
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Making plans, organizing thoughts, telling what you know</div>
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Check out these posts:</div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2017/05/its-our-plan.html" target="_blank">It's Our Plan</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2011/05/favorite-things-writing-center.html" target="_blank">Writing Center</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/03/writing-to-communicate.html" target="_blank">Writing to Communicate</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2011/04/favorite-things-dry-erase-boards.html" target="_blank">Dry Erase Boards</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/02/favorite-things-white-boards-again.html" target="_blank">White Boards Again</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/02/im-making-my-own-map.html" target="_blank">I'm Making My Own Map</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2016/01/purposeful-writing.html" target="_blank">Purposeful Writing</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2015/12/writing-with-bamboo-pens.html" target="_blank">Writing with Bamboo Pens</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2015/11/painting-with-oil.html" target="_blank">Painting with Oil</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2012/04/drawing-together.html" target="_blank">Drawing Together</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2011/01/clipboards-in-blocks-center.html" target="_blank">Clipboards in the Blocks Center</a></div>
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<a href="http://scottsbricks.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-like-wot-evr-this-is.html" target="_blank">I Like Wot evr this is</a></div>
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<br />Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-748223180765762982017-10-04T21:54:00.003-05:002017-10-04T21:54:59.777-05:00Deepest Thinking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaygrwJDWHkeEi0NxVkGvp55Os-xQmmSPXs_dWxxD6Hl9IHLy_GHA1tW1psdMy1n8m8SGGpSwZNGppsxmiFkiKB1bkFmz2sDrGO3zer7TAXmPSnxSTFdZMW4mUNNPprZJ16vkwiFSOd-o/s1600/deepest+thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Deepest Thinking quote (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaygrwJDWHkeEi0NxVkGvp55Os-xQmmSPXs_dWxxD6Hl9IHLy_GHA1tW1psdMy1n8m8SGGpSwZNGppsxmiFkiKB1bkFmz2sDrGO3zer7TAXmPSnxSTFdZMW4mUNNPprZJ16vkwiFSOd-o/s1600/deepest+thinking.jpg" title="Deepest Thinking quote (Brick by Brick)" /></a></div>
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I love talking with preschoolers. They make me think. They make me see things in different ways. They make me laugh. They encourage me to look at the world and enjoy it.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-26821512003754560282017-09-28T12:40:00.002-05:002017-09-28T12:40:49.889-05:00My Teaching NowWarning: Reflection ahead. Thoughts may be smaller (or larger) than they appear.<br />
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I love teaching. I love watching boys and girls think and play and explore. I enjoy talking with them and just listening to them. But lately I'm wondering about my teaching.<br />
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I like to find different types of materials. I like trying new things. But lately it seems that I've just been sticking with "regular" stuff and not bringing lots of different new things into the classroom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHDboRzG1_HC0jvtyVfYEb-ShiXu8htaOEEQFOYzGdLRrFD5YN1Mo06oDo5emcqrHoqDpctHiJ1WKG13FcqNX7VMAt2uTBoQYn058rnrBR0OhwlFNJ6CuVThNv0lXd5Y4O8C4Q8AlwLE/s1600/IMG_3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHDboRzG1_HC0jvtyVfYEb-ShiXu8htaOEEQFOYzGdLRrFD5YN1Mo06oDo5emcqrHoqDpctHiJ1WKG13FcqNX7VMAt2uTBoQYn058rnrBR0OhwlFNJ6CuVThNv0lXd5Y4O8C4Q8AlwLE/s320/IMG_3939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In my church class, things have changed over the past few years. A couple of years ago, we had about 10 or so children coming regularly. This group liked to do different things and were interested in anything new or different that appeared in our room.<br />
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Last year we had about 5 or so children who came regularly. This group liked to play and explore. They REALLY liked blocks and building. Oh, and cars. They liked cars. They didn't do much art. They would play games or work puzzles from time to time - and liked new games when I brought them in. They liked new ideas...sometimes. And other times they ignored what I had put out and built towers to knock down or jump over.<br />
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This year we have fewer than 5 children who come regularly. And all of those haven't been there on the same week - we have just a portion each time. This group likes using the dishes and setting the table and feeding the dolls. They enjoy blocks or a game or art from time to time. But I'm still learning about them and their interests.<br />
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I've been judging my teaching. I don't bring a lot of extra stuff to the room. We haven't done anything really "cool" or different or unusual. Does that make me not as good...or even an almost bad teacher??<br />
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As I reflect here, thinking about what I'm doing and how I'm feeling, I think it's just part of developing as a teacher. I'm working to understand a new group of kids. I have fewer kids so I don't need as many different things to make sure everyone has choices and things to do. And maybe it's a time for me to think more about my teaching...to cocoon until my next big new burst of teaching insight and practice.<br />
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Whatever it is, I want to enjoy the season I'm in now and work to move to wherever this journey takes me next. And I'm going to stop comparing myself to other teachers and to my past self. Embrace today and push for tomorrow.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2207747388117516441.post-81725510305280680322017-09-26T08:01:00.000-05:002017-09-26T08:01:03.319-05:00Play Isn't Just a Luxury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcTTcuCZP7L4LqwU1aEd3Vt5wHIHY158EbPfo7g3nUf64ZSan8SbZa6WJSL_s3KMh3-DwvtaQIR4DNoK5UwgMIpCPwx5WiSGeThI25x2J-Z5O4g_2wpJnN4DGvM2X-mFOXD17MuFD_WE/s1600/reading+purposeful+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reading Purposeful Play (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcTTcuCZP7L4LqwU1aEd3Vt5wHIHY158EbPfo7g3nUf64ZSan8SbZa6WJSL_s3KMh3-DwvtaQIR4DNoK5UwgMIpCPwx5WiSGeThI25x2J-Z5O4g_2wpJnN4DGvM2X-mFOXD17MuFD_WE/s640/reading+purposeful+play.jpg" title="Reading Purposeful Play (Brick by Brick)" width="640" /></a></div>
I have started reading a new book - <i>Purposeful Play</i> by Kristine Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler. <a href="https://www.pre-kpages.com/" target="_blank">Vanessa at Pre-K Pages</a> put me onto this book - and by the title it seems like just the book I need to be reading. So, let's get started!<br />
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<div class="p1">
<b>Chapter 1 - Play Isn't a Luxury. It's a Necessity.</b></div>
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This first chapter made me nod throughout. Let's start with this quote:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="p1">
"There is an argument in the world that suggests that play can happen only when work is done, yet children show us time and time again that play is the way they work."</div>
</blockquote>
In their support of play, the authors show that play supports Common Core standards or any other standards that need to be addressed. Play is the child's own method of instruction - the way that children teach themselves. Teachers can use this child-directed method to teach all kinds of concepts and meet standards.<br />
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Rigor is another current educational focus. The authors say that play fits right into rigor...the true meaning of rigor, that is. "Because play is safe and familiar, children feel free to take risks and try on new learning." Children will push their learning to the edges of their ability, rigorously trying to master what they are doing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT-vDqiT4OizXM2MdLaN2XFX3s4c0vwBtWvYQtTacmG9xBcnZ7xZn4JZ0v5ZPkkSw3plOfAXXiwaJ1qeLh-R40NbYVaDMYgHwY6QA8NW_lVnCQFlwuh7aykseVsspSz0-pXidaZRc8yk/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Exploring Shape Patterns (Brick by Brick)" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT-vDqiT4OizXM2MdLaN2XFX3s4c0vwBtWvYQtTacmG9xBcnZ7xZn4JZ0v5ZPkkSw3plOfAXXiwaJ1qeLh-R40NbYVaDMYgHwY6QA8NW_lVnCQFlwuh7aykseVsspSz0-pXidaZRc8yk/s320/IMG_4697.JPG" title="Exploring Shape Patterns (Brick by Brick)" width="239" /></a></div>
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Another great quote:<br />
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<div class="p1">
"The thinking that occurs in play fits the definition of work (active engagement toward achieving a goal) and often provides impetus to continue working long after the official 'play' time is done."</div>
</blockquote>
I see more focus when children are exploring what they have chosen to pursue. The freedom to try and fail and try again encourage kids to push their ideas. Play allows children of different abilities and strengths to be successful...and to learn from others.<br />
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I've watched kids try something, observe others ideas, and attempt new things without any intervention or comment from me. I've heard kids use a wide range of words to express their thinking. Play is truly work - and rigorous work at that.<br />
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And that's just the first chapter of this book. I'm excited about reading further and learning more about how play helps children learn deeply.<br />
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<br />Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11397525011462974857noreply@blogger.com