I saw a lot of smiles and heard a lot of laughter this week. I heard old school jokes being shared, funny stories being told, amusing noises coming from the depth of their bodies and gibberish that evoked crazy laughter. I am learning each day from these smart and engaging young children but one of the things I am learning most is how to sit back, relax and enjoy their humorous selves!
In honour of the numerous coyote scat piles that have been seen and stepped on, the Eagles wrote this poem. Let’s title it, An Ode to Scat.
A Coyote scat we don’t wish on a hat. (Damian)
Put some scat on a hat and they don’t like it. (Ezra)
Mat, so I put a coyote scat and then a hat. (Ty)
Are the coyote scat put on a hat on a truck. (Nathan)
Mat on a hat and a tree and a coyote scat on a tree. (Andy)
Coyote scat on an egg. (Ella)
Cat on a coyote scat. (Nell)
The coyote ate a leaf and he turned into a cat. (Nicole)
A coyote on a tree eat a bird (Kaya)
We wonder if the children will make more rhymes this coming week- brainstorming some ways to support this interest.
Kaya, Hannah and Alison wrap play dough with grasses. They are enjoying combining two different mediums. This kind of experimentation is so important to the creative process.
Ty watches Misuzu tune her ukulele. We are all eager to sing along with her.
Ashton patiently waits for his turn while Miles pours sand from pot to pot, sometimes with the funnel and sometimes without. Pouring is not only good for fine motor control but also provides a sensory experience as fingertips collect grains of sand.
Kate lays out a provocation in the studio based on the white rocks found a couple of weeks ago on the pathway. Nathan is making a house, with a door. Kate offers a gnome to be used in the structure.
Ayleen soothes Yohan as he sits by a log. She does not use words, but rather softly strokes his head, back and hand. A kind, gentle act.
Avery is learning how to manipulate the clay. She is thinking about adding other elements to her clay mound.
The Owls are learning how to play Duck, Duck, Goose.
While doing small group work, we run into Miles and Ty’s older siblings, gardening with their own schools with the Richmond Schoolyard Society. This is Quinn.
This is Ava.
Chloe, our Langara College practicum student, brings in a typewriter. The children are fascinated and learn how to find the letters of their name and punch the key hard enough to make a mark. Everyone wants a turn, including me!
Lorraine is making clay balls, experimenting with different sizes. Is she planning on using them for something or are they ‘just’ balls?
Cyrus and Owen are playing catch with a bean bag. This requires a lot of control so they don’t have to leave their hoop. They work very hard to hit their mark!
Cyrus makes a desk and a computer. He says ” I am working at my computer, doing work.” Notice he is typing on the keyboard.
The photo is nothing special but as Ken and Tyler walked along the side of the driveway, I could not help but marvel at how much they have learned to in 2 months; knowing they must walk on the grass to be safe from cars, these two very small children are ever so capable!
KIngston makes up his own obstacle course and runs through with speed and ease.
On Saturday we offered a weaving class in the barn for our Nature School families and the children who attend our school age Beyond 4 Walls programs. The class was facilitated by Marina Szijarto, a local weaver and artist who specializes in community engagement artistic projects. Her own work is truly beautiful and her ability to teach others, no matter their age, is a gift to us all.It was absolutely magical to see an intergenerational group enjoy using weeds from Terra Nova and Richmond to make art. In these photos, you will see ivy, willow and bullrush leaves.
‘Till the next post,
Emily