Using 'Real' Objects In Learning

Using 'real' objects in the learning environment adds so much interest for the children. They show respect for the delicate items, awe for the items usually deemed "off limits", and excitement in using the things usually saved for adults. Here are some of the 'real' objects we have used in our learning recently.

 

 ~Pouring lentils using glass cups and metal gravy boats.~

~Everyone tries walking in grown-up heels.~

~Tiny Shells, Small & Large Rocks, Dried Moss, all in glass jars on the science table.~

~Hammers & Nails to practice the 'real work' of hammering in the yard.~

Outdoor Time

So much learning happens even outside of the classroom.

 

~Motion and Balance~

 ~Risk Taking~

 ~Group Interactions and Cooperative Play~

 ~Sharing and Communication~

~Real Work~

~Sharing~

 ~Learning Through the Senses & Nature~

 

In January

In January we learned about and explored...

 

ICE

 ~frozen water balloons~

 ~purple ice treasures~

 

PURPLE & BLUE

 

 ~printing with purple using various objects~

~discovering patters in our prints~

 ~blue sensory tubs~

~blue water beads~

 ~sorting blue and purple objects~

~blue dough with shells~

 

MAGNETS

 

~testing various types of magnets at the science table~





Blocks

Blocks have always lined the shelves of our school. Natural tree blocks, small cube blocks, blocks that connect together, and other small space saving blocks that work in a smaller size classroom. Our new school has so much open building space that it screamed for the large wooden block sets I remember from my childhood. And who could resist a few cardboard blocks nearly as big as a preschooler? The creative juices started flowing the second those blocks appeared and thankfully haven't stopped since.

Taking ownership of our blocks through constructing large cardboard ones and unpacking our new wooden ones. Our four year olds did some amazing problem solving and spent two days folding and securing each one of the big blocks.

Testing out the blocks along the way. There is so much power and pride in making something as big as oneself!

And the wall of a fort....

 A castle for the knights...

 And the kids from the school age program, at 7 and 9 years old their creations get elaborate. Even big kids need some block time.

 

Gingerbread Party 2012

The holidays wouldn't have been complete without frosted graham crackers covered in every kind of treat imaginable. In the week before Christmas, we celebrated with our annual Gingerbread Party!   Using small milk cartons as the base, children and parents added treats to make their own gingerbread house.

Thanks to the parents who filled our bowls with candy, from chocolate, to marshmallows and lollipops! Families worked their way through the candy buffet and snacked on some yummy, healthier alternatives as well.

Did I mention the lollipops?

The completed houses were temporarily left to set . . .

. . .as the children were eager to play outside and expend some energy on the playground.

Thank you to all who came and participated! Until next year . . .

Meadowlark's New Home

 It's official! Meadowlark now calls the building at the corner of Mansfield and Fairview "home"!

After months of renovating and preparing the school, last week we opened the doors to our new space.

As the children become accustomed to our new environment, we have tried to keep as much consistency across the program as possible. The children are playing and getting acquainted with the toys . . .

Children at Play with Miss Allyson

. . . and taking in the new view.

Parent Meeting in the School-age Room

We look forward to getting everyone back into the rhythm of things in our new school before we break for the holidays. 

Meadowlark Open House

On Saturday, December 1st, we held an Open House in our new facility! Joined by enrolled families, past and present, as well as community members, we welcomed all into our new school space.

 

Every room was set up using the same Waldorf principles that we follow in our current school rooms.

Many choices are made to create a more homelike atmosphere: 

• The furniture and toys are predominately wood rather than a more institutional plastic.
• Art hangs on the wall. Just as we decorate our homes to be aesthetically pleasing, we have decorated the school with art to create a beautiful environment for the children.

The Entryway

 

 

Our entryway is more than a place to hang your hat. It also serves as a transitional space in which children can ease into the activity of the classroom and spend a few extra quiet minutes with their parents if they choose.

The Art Studio

A room dedicated to the development of the children's creative expression. It is our intention that the art studio be used as a resource room of sorts in which the children will find materials (e.g., scissors, paint, chalk etc.) to express their ideas and enrich their play. 

The School Room

 

The main school space is organized in play areas such as reading, building, pretend play, and a manipulative area. The children have the freedom to choose activities that are of interest to them.

We have also expanded our program by adding an after-school room and infant room (pictures to come).

Thanks to all who stopped by to check out our new space. We are looking forward to officially moving in and will keep you posted when we finally do.

Catching Up

Its been a long while since our blog has been updated. So long that I gasped when I realized that the last entry was from nearly 10 months ago. So much has happened over that time that I will only attempt an mini update and instead apologize profusely for lack of attention to this blog. I'm going to just dive right in here, so fasten your belts!

February 2012 ended and we sprung right into spring with lots of water color painting, egg dying, seed planting, and of course the annual school picnic.

 

We also expanded our family and welcomed baby boy number 3!

 

The end of the 2011-2012 school year was celebrated with our very first Meadowlark Preschool graduation ceremony. We were so happy to congratulate our three graduates and wished them well in their transition into Kindergarten.

Summer arrived and we enjoyed our long sunny days at school, camp style. There were trips to the Cerra Vista Park, water play under the whale and sprinklers, and special sports classes each day with our summer helper Ms. Allyson. But the biggest event of the summer was signing the lease on what would be our very own school building!

This fall we welcomed so many new families and a wonderful group of new students. As our school continues to grow, the wonderful aspects of our program components remain the same.

Creative and imaginative play.

Friendship and learning through interactions with others.

 Age appropriate curriculum, hands on learning, and respecting the natural wonder of childhood.

 

As a parent I love staying informed on the happenings in my child's life. As an educator I love sharing moments with others and looking back over things I've done. My hope is that this blog fills both of those passions not only for myself but for others that join in on the journey.

A wonderful and talented parent has offered her help in keeping this space current and filled with beautiful pictures and words. I am forever grateful for the help and excited to see this blog continue during, what undoubtedly will be, an amazing school year full of new opportunity and exciting change.