Boat trip day success!

Our Friday boat trip adventure was a huge success.
First we all went over to the world map and decided where we were going to sail.
Africa, China, Sweden, Ohio, New Zealand, and "a blue place" were the destinations of the day.
Tickets were made, necessary items packed, and we headed outside for our morning circle time.
Each child had the opportunity to describe the things they brought and why they would be helpful on a boat trip. I then walked over towards the boats and called everyone individually.
"I am looking for a Charlie Harp. Charlie Harp, you may now board your boat." He handed me his ticket, and he was off....
The children played out many different scenarios with all of their equipment and props and had many happy hours of fun.
We also made little wooden boats, painted them, and floated different types of boats in water as well.
Thanks to everyone for bringing in so many extra things to help us create a lively and enriching boating experience!
A special thanks also to Shane Minor for installing our new tree swing on Friday! The children were captivated by the men hanging from the tall tree and of course loved swinging for the rest of the day!!

Boats

We made boats today and discussed many different types including a schooner, sloop, dory, rowboat, skiff, kayak, scow, houseboat, and a tugboat. Each child picked out their favorite and we drew big pictures with chalk, designed our own with flat wooden blocks, and then glued one on paper. We measured the shapes and talked about the benefits and purpose of each kind of boat. It was fun seeing the children work together and independently on these projects of the day!

Thanks!!

Thanks to Banon, Ulysses, and Meredith for bringing such wonderful and delicious veggies from their garden for us to enjoy and for the lacing cards!! The lacing cards are a new interest for many of the children as they learn to string beads, cards, and finger knit and the ocean/sea creatures theme is perfect as we move into our new learning and play adventures this week.
Thank you also to everyone who has brought in old magazines...these help a lot with cutting, pasting, collage projects, and more!
We were so happy about the change in weather today and are looking forward to cooler days ahead.
It was fun having Roman come to play with us today and the children were excited to have him join in our day.

Playing

This week we have been following many of the children's ideas for play.
Wonderful houses, forts, and cities have been built, a little teddy bear playground, lots of water activities including observing the effects of magnets, and even a bit of wishful winter longing complete with blankets and scarves. I think there is a definite sense of the extreme heat as we imagine a variety of ways to deal with it.
Thanks to Charlie and his mom for bringing in lots of paper, puzzles, and books for our classroom and a delicious cantaloupe from the farmer's market yesterday. It is so wonderful to see the children get excited about fresh fruits and vegetables! This was the best and sweetest melon and we could smell it all around the room even before we cut into it. You would have thought we were opening a new toy by the gleeful sounds from everyone when we sliced it and passed it around.

Friday will be a Fairy Fun Day as we search for fairies outside, play games, and have a special tea party to celebrate Genevieve's 3rd birthday.

Next week we will be moving into our new theme of boats, oceans, and sea life.