http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:05:19 -1000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss


]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2008/02/building_community.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2008/02/building_community.php Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:05:19 -1000

]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2008/01/one_day_in_november_the.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2008/01/one_day_in_november_the.php Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:12:27 -1000 minds in making connections to other sensory encounters and experiences. As the children explore with paint and make their mark on paper and themselves, they build a relationship with the paint that they will be able to call upon when trying to express themselves in the future. In other words, they are developing their own language with paint!  A language that becomes the child's development of his/her own self-expression.  

Over the past month or so, we have shared with you the children’s strong and, at times, intense interest in painting. In observing their work, it is as if the paint has a strong hold or is speaking to their inward being. It is exciting to observe the children discover the the magic of creating a new color and exploring paint's slippery, forgiving texture.
 
We wanted to share the joy of what the children are experiencing at school with you, so we framed a provocation that was process-centered and process-driven rather than a traditional product-driven activity. The plastic bag of paints was one way to share that with you. 

We purposely said that we didn't want the finished product. We wanted the emphasis to be on the exploration of experiencing the change that was captured by the colors coming together, allowing you to observe your child as he/she felt the paint between their fingers, or having you watch as the child’s hand and paint made contact on the white paper erasing away the whiteness of the page.  In observing the children’s dance with the paint, it is as if
they are BECOMING one with the paint in many different ways.

The most powerful things that spoke to us when reading your responses were:
1) The children knew that 'something' would happen when the paint was mixed - not neccessarily that a certain color would be created. This is where the children are at; they don't care about the final product (color). They do enjoy the 'magic' of  changing the color and that they created it.
2) Many children continued painting beyond the paper. The children rubbed the paint up their arms and on their bodies. We wonder why the children enjoy doing this so much, both at home and at school.
3) The children used many different ways to make marks on the paint on the paper. These are the beginning stages of literacy being made visible.
4) The children are developing a vocabulary to express what they are doing with the material and how it feels.
5) The children are relating painting to other experiences, either from home or school, helping them make sense of their world.

If you're interested in reading all the parent responses and seeing the photographs that were shared about the paint extension at home, the binder will be on the shelf by the couch.

Your responses to our questions allowed us see to what this experience held for you and your child. Thank you for sharing this experience with us and for taking the time to play with your child!









 
]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/11/texture_and_movement_extension.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/11/texture_and_movement_extension.php Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:16:38 -1000 Thanks to all who attended our first Parent Night. Click on the blue link to read a summary of our evening. For insight into the 4's class experience with clay, read Ms. Leslie's blog entitled The Power Of Children's Work: Looking In. Hope to see you all at our next one!

Parent evening_Oct. 15_2007.pdf

]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/10/parent_night_experience_in_cla.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/10/parent_night_experience_in_cla.php Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:03:29 -1000
]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/10/patience_and_understanding.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/10/patience_and_understanding.php Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:23:15 -1000 http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/09/community_building_91014.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/09/community_building_91014.php Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:20:42 -1000

]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/09/an_encounter_of_the_mind_and_h.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/09/an_encounter_of_the_mind_and_h.php Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:42:40 -1000 The first two weeks have flown by! The children are getting to know each other and the teachers. They are busy exploring the classroom and the outdoors. Some children are having their first experience away from home, while others have been in a daycare setting since they were 3 months old! We are all learning about each other and how we fit into this new community of children, parents, and teachers. http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/08/welcome_to_the_3s_journey.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/08/welcome_to_the_3s_journey.php Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:25:37 -1000 The last week of school went by so fast -- the teachers are still recovering! http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/06/aloha.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/06/aloha.php Mon, 11 Jun 2007 07:08:43 -1000 Amazingly, all but one child made it back to school after the fun camping weekend. We aren't sure who had more fun, the children or the adults! We know many families plan to go camping over the summer. Wish we could figure out how to get rid of those centipedes! http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/52125.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/52125.php Thu, 24 May 2007 20:30:07 -1000 ]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/51519.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/51519.php Sat, 19 May 2007 17:20:51 -1000 Thursday was the big day; the girls decided to wear their party dresses to show that they were the hostesses of the event. The group served pizza and cake first, because everyone knows that cake is the best part of a party. We were then treated to a variety of games,including tossing a ball at a unicorn picture that the girls created. The party ended by breaking open the beautiful five-legged pinata that took weeks for the girls to make! Thank you, Ms. Leigh, for showing us how much learning can take place while having fun! And to the Party Planners for collaborating, being persistent, being determined, and putting together a great party for everyone! (More pictures are posted in our gallery.)]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/57511.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/57511.php Sun, 13 May 2007 19:28:53 -1000 After the visit, we enjoyed a snack in front of the aquarium. Aunty Karen started collecting pine cones to give to Ms. Jordan for use in the atelier. Soon the children were scurrying around, finding other little treasures to share in the atelier! ]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/aquarium_to_may_day_celebratio.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/aquarium_to_may_day_celebratio.php Sun, 06 May 2007 09:52:21 -1000 The Unicorn Game and Letters Home The excitement for the party is growing as the Party Planners finalize the details for the party. On Monday, April 9, the group glued their unicorn picture onto cardboard and found shapes they wanted to cut out of the cardboard. The cut-out shapes will be the holes for the balls to go through for their game. As the Party Planners searched the classroom for different-shaped materials, they needed to keep in mind the size of the ball. When they found their materials, they placed them on the unicorn picture, making sure not to touch the unicorn itself. They then traced their shapes so that Ms. Leigh could cut them out with a sharp blade.]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/party_planners_its_almost_part.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/05/party_planners_its_almost_part.php Tue, 01 May 2007 14:23:23 -1000 ]]> http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/04/42328.php http://midpac.edu/elementary/PC/2007/04/42328.php Golden Owls have been updated. Please take a moment to read about our busy week. Thanks! Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:24:59 -1000