Mulch/Wood Week July 1 st -3 rd 2013 Steffanie Gardner Triangle Classroom Summer 2013 FCFC 465 Practicum The week of July 1 st -3 rd was a week dedicated to exploring wood and mulch in our environment and how it pertains to the children’s world. Monday for gross motor the children collected things made from wood found around the classroom to use for art later in the day where they would stick the wood to contact paper. Lucas collected the pieces when he arrived at school by using his fingers to pick the pieces up and putting them in his bucket. When we went outside Tinsley (29) picked up the pieces and stuck them to contact paper to display in our classroom, Tinsley did this art with the other children in the classroom. On Tuesday the children used various colors of watercolor to paint a large piece of wood. Ella (24), Marlowe (27), Myla (31), and Lucas (34) used paint brushes and dipped them in the bowl of paint and then moved the brush side to side on the wood. On Wednesday the children used the chalk to draw on the piece of wood from Tuesday. The children used one hand in a fist to draw on the wood. SE.5.14 Work together as a team toward a common goal P.5.2 Isolates one or two fingers. ELA.5.1 Grasp tools. During circle time during wood week we read books that had to do with wood like: Sticks, Who Lives In A Tree, and Mighty Crane. We also sang “Johnny Hammers” & “The Construction Worker Song”. During the songs the children would use their hammer to pretend to pound nails. The children were asked to bring something from home made of wood. Sam (34) brought a wooden tractor. Also, I put squirrels around the classroom to go with the animals who live in trees theme. ELA.2.36 Watch and listen to a story to completion or for ten or more minutes. M.1.1 Repeat a movement like a clap. FA.1.15 Learn to sing other songs. In the discovery table on Monday there was shaving cream and watercolor and the children mixed the watercolor in using wooden popsicle sticks. Myla (31), Sam (34), Lucas (34), and Marlowe (27) played in the shaving cream by using there fingers and hands. On Tuesday the children had paper and scissors to work with to practice cutting skills. Lucas (34) tried to learn where to place his fingers so he could cut the paper. Marlowe, Soo-ah (28), and Tinsley (29) practiced putting stickers on paper on Wednesday. ELA.5.1 Grasp tools. FA.1.50 Delight in touch and feel of materials rather than what is being produced For gross motor the children did activities dealing with wood. On Monday the children went on a nature walk to see if they could find things made of wood. On Tuesday the children walked along the wooden balance beam and tree stumps to practice their balance. Marlowe (27) walked with aid across the beam and stumps by putting one foot in front of the other and balancing on opposite foot. On Wednesday the children did yoga outside where they followed instructions and moved their bodies to match the poses. Tinsley (29) and Lucas (34) listened and did as I did and asked.. P.2.3 Demonstrates stability and balance in upright position with assistance P.2.10 Apply movement concepts to specific movement situations (e.g., bend knees to soften the landing). P.3.13 Perform stability skills alone and/or with a partner P.1.9 Enjoy movement activities For science we worked with wooden blocks by practicing patterns and stacking. On Monday and Tuesday we had a pile of blocks to stack. Monday was all wooden rectangle blocks. Marlowe (27) took the blocks and used her hands to stack the blocks one on top of the other in a way that they did not tumble. Tuesday the children had irregular shapes and sized blocks to stack. Wednesday the children put blocks in a pattern to match pattern shown. Sam (34) finished the pattern shown. M.5.11 Identify when objects are similar SC.1.56 Sort things by characteristics For dramatic play the children dressed up as construction workers and used construction toys. Soo-ah (28) wore a hat to pretend she was working. Marlowe (27) used a hammer and pounded on the play kitchen because she said it was broken. Sam (34) used the measuring tape to measure things around classroom. ELA.4.24 Pretend to do something or be someone. FA.1.18 Express self through dramatic play.