Recycling our ideas about problem-solving
President Rice is outside in our parking lot helping with the school wide recycling project as I sit in the classroom trying to figure out what to write for this blog! President Rice's effort resonates with me as I reflect on the shift that is happening in our classroom with our previous paper problem. How has our attempt to cut down on wasting paper affected the children? Since moving the art supplies out of the message area, the children have embraced communicating with their friends and teachers instead of cutting the papers into little pieces! The message area is now used to write messages! I've noticed children who I haven't seen in the message area writing notes!LB-N was so excited about the note he wrote to me that he called me over to tell me I had mail. Although I know he is able to write his name and copy words, he found both my stamp and his to make the note readable. He even took the time to decorate the message by gluing on the pink plastic circle.
SF drew me a picture, wrote her name and found my stamp so I knew the note was for me.
NW wrote a message to his parents, adding stickers before asking for help in placing it in the parent mailbox.
I watched as RP copied the words, 'mom' and 'I love you' from our index cards to his note to his mother. He placed the pencil on each printed letter until he came to the one he needed to write, intentionally copying each letter on his card.
SF drew me a picture, wrote her name and found my stamp so I knew the note was for me. 
NW wrote a message to his parents, adding stickers before asking for help in placing it in the parent mailbox. 
I watched as RP copied the words, 'mom' and 'I love you' from our index cards to his note to his mother. He placed the pencil on each printed letter until he came to the one he needed to write, intentionally copying each letter on his card.SC copied the name of her friends off their mailbox and wrote her own name before placing her message in the correct box.
Our mini-atelier has found new life as well. LS, JM and DG found hibiscus and ginger flowers in the yard and asked Ms. Jayna if they could draw them. We are excited that the girls chose to use cray-pas instead of the familiar paint to represent their flowers, an indication that they are willing to experiment with different materials!
The children are showing that they understand one of the purposes for writing a message and the general format: the note needs to say who it is for, express the idea, and who it is from. They know they can either write their name or use the appropriate stamp. The note needs to be readable by the receiver. The note needs to be placed where the receiver can find it. And finally, the note has a message - most of the time the intention of their note is to communicate "I like you, you are my friend!"
If you have a moment before you leave in the morning, take time to leave your child a note. Or help your child write a message to their friends or teachers. If they write one to Mrs. Hussey or President Rice, we'll deliver it personally!
Our mini-atelier has found new life as well. LS, JM and DG found hibiscus and ginger flowers in the yard and asked Ms. Jayna if they could draw them. We are excited that the girls chose to use cray-pas instead of the familiar paint to represent their flowers, an indication that they are willing to experiment with different materials!
JD brought in a paper bag puppet to share with the class. The initial reaction of the children was to try to make their own puppet. We were hoping that they would write stories to act out but the interest was short-lived. Although we put out paper bags and collage materials, after the first day, no one wanted to make a puppet. Was it that the finished product was not as exciting as other puppets they have played with? Was it because this group of children would rather pretend to BE the character themselves than to animate an object - their favorite choice at work time IS dramatic play! Would the children be interested in creating costumes for themselves?
SC, IA, KP and SF continue to explore cutting little snippets of paper and ribbon; this time the pieces were to be used to decorate a cake. The little pieces are kept in the mini-atelier and hopefully will be shared with those interested in collaging with it. We watched as the children also tried to cut fabric pieces to add to the mix. I'm hoping they will develop an interest in the fabric, as sewing is one of my passions! Maybe make those costumes we referred to earlier!
Speaking of fabric, we watched as LB-N, RP and SP in the loft as they threw fabric over their backs, covering their heads to represent ocean waves crashing over them. I'm wondering where this new interest will take these children and what caused the shift in their play from Legos and Transformers to the creative dance-like ocean play that attracted many of their classmates to join in.
SC, IA, KP and SF continue to explore cutting little snippets of paper and ribbon; this time the pieces were to be used to decorate a cake. The little pieces are kept in the mini-atelier and hopefully will be shared with those interested in collaging with it. We watched as the children also tried to cut fabric pieces to add to the mix. I'm hoping they will develop an interest in the fabric, as sewing is one of my passions! Maybe make those costumes we referred to earlier!
Speaking of fabric, we watched as LB-N, RP and SP in the loft as they threw fabric over their backs, covering their heads to represent ocean waves crashing over them. I'm wondering where this new interest will take these children and what caused the shift in their play from Legos and Transformers to the creative dance-like ocean play that attracted many of their classmates to join in.
I'm glad that as teachers, we took the route of finding productive solutions, offering provocations for the children to think, problem solve and create instead of taking away the paper and scissors, which would have made a bigger frustration for everyone.
So what does this all have to do with President Rice? I'm proud to announce that our paper waste is not so outrageous any more. The children are more careful and thoughtful with their usage of paper. The 'paper snippers' seem to have moved on to more creative uses for their snips and we don't find as many piles of wasted paper. Go green! So as President Rice takes time to do his part to help the school recycling project, we will continue to help the children take care of our classroom and planet. It's never to early to start raising conciousness in our children.
So what does this all have to do with President Rice? I'm proud to announce that our paper waste is not so outrageous any more. The children are more careful and thoughtful with their usage of paper. The 'paper snippers' seem to have moved on to more creative uses for their snips and we don't find as many piles of wasted paper. Go green! So as President Rice takes time to do his part to help the school recycling project, we will continue to help the children take care of our classroom and planet. It's never to early to start raising conciousness in our children.
Posted on September 28, 2008 10:44 AM | Permalink