AFC MAGNOLIA AM

 The block area has been very popular lately due to all the construction happen and use of tools.  Somehow our pretend tools have managed to disappear.  So we asked the children, "How can you create your own tools?"  Using cardboard, scissors,  and a hot glue gun a small group began conversing on ideas.    "I'm making a saw.  See!" H made several tools. P made a sawhammer or is it a hammersaw? I'm going to make a hammer. What does your hammer do?- Ms Erin C- It can do everything. It can make you an ice sculpture. It can make you some ice cream.   It lives at an ice cream stand. M worked for almost 45 minutes cutting, gluing, sharing, constructing.  Although he did not use many words, I could see his idea coming to life and was mindful not to interpret his thought process.  At first I wondered why he sat and cut pieces into smaller pieces over and over again.  After several minutes, he quietly said, "Glue please."  He ...

Our art studio was hopping today as children continued their work creating sculptures with wire, model magic, and tiles. Their works of art were created by: twisting pulling rolling EG - You were wondering how you can layer pieces on top to create sculptures. KH was "inspiring" you to add details to the side.  KH, the entire time you rolled and rolled and rolled. You meticulously rolled balls all different shapes and sizes. However, you weren't sure what you were going to do with all these little balls. You asked to save them for next time. I can't wait to see what you will do next and how your work will continue to inspire others.  PW, you were on a mission today to create many different mazes. At first you created different ways for them to escape, like stairs and hallways, but then you spent lots of time creating an important detail: the dead end.  "A dead end is important." "In a maze, a dead end is a wall." "A maze can be really far away....

Even though it was cold, we still were able to go to the Forest and explore! As we walked around and observed them we saw: Friendship Heavy Work Determination Kindness Planning Observant Silliness Creativity Peace

On our light table we invited children to explore a winterscape with arctic animals and different blocks that could be used as ice. What was interesting was that all the animals were living amongst each other in this cold part of the land. Shelter was a big emphasis within their play and animals needed a special place to stay safe from the cold weather.  TM - Polar bear and penguins are in here PW - Can I come inside? Knock, knock TM - This is my ice house, you can't come in!  PW - *boom, boom*    Brooke - Tell me more about what you made TM - Well, this is not a cave. It is a snow hotel where the animals are living. The coyote can can come in.  DN - Where is his mommy and daddy? He is so sad *sad howls* TM - C'mon coyote, come into my hotel.  DN - I can't, I lost my mommy and daddy. I'm too sad.  TM - The polar bear will take care of him.  TM - The animals can't move out, they are sleeping DN - *woof woof woof* TM - C'mon in MP - Wolf, come here ...