Building Skills

The Catbirds' continue to construct buildings that are increasingly complex and fanciful. Today, we added in some new blocks that we borrowed from the Owls, and the creativity exploded.

It is not only the buildings that have grown more complex, so has the dramatic play. Friends are engaging in larger groups, with more complicated scenarios that last over a series of days. The levels of negotiation, cooperation, conflict resolution and problem solving is truly impressive, as the Catbirds develop their cognitive and social skills.

We sang our way to Music rehearsal (we are having them often, but keeping the sessions brief, which seems to work for our friends).

Back in the room, we had a delicious snack of oranges, bananas, blackberries, graham crackers and cheese. Then we gathered for Morning Meeting.

We read, Jacob Had a Little Overcoat, which is the story of a man who is able to continuously make something new out of something old and worn out. It got many thumbs up.

Then, we introduced the Catbirds to some new things in our classroom. First, were two  pairs of earmuffs that block sound. These are fascinating to watch the kids use these. Some friends like taking a "sound break," and just having some quiet in what is often a loud space. Others use them for dramatic play, and some like to experiment with loud and quiet. Some friends just think they look cool.

Next, we introduced friends to a new tool that we are pretty excited about. It is an app for our ipad that will allow friends to put entries into their own portfolios. Carol explained it to the group, and everyone was eager to get started. You will be hearing more about it in the months to come.

Then it was Choice Time. Friends were so involved and invested in everything that was going on in the room, that we decided to stay in today (except for a brief race around the outdoor classroom and a number of high-speed errands around school.

In the middle of Choice Time, Lily's dad stopped by to play us some songs on our keyboard (he is an accomplished musician, and we asked if he would come play sometimes, so friends could here our keyboard make some different kinds of sounds. He play several requests and we sang along. He has promised to come play with us again soon.