Space Explorers

We've been exploring space the last week or so, as a transition to learning more about day and night, and weather next month. This theme has really sparked a lot of dramatic and cooperative play, and it has been great to watch the students work and play together in this way.

Adventure in Space

We have loved using a song/story by Greg and Steve called An Adventure in Space to imagine what it might be like to go on a space adventure. One student informed me that the astronauts are lying down when the rocket launches, so now everyone does that when we go through the story. :) 

Rocket Launching

I put out this cardboard rocket (inspired by the Fun in Pre-K1 blog), and there have been a lot of rocket launches happening since. My morning class started making "adjustments" as one student called them, and the rocket evolved into having a control center with various buttons and loose parts over time. I love watching the kids engage in the evolution of their ideas, and was more than happy to support this process as much as I could. I ended up making some adjustments of my own as well, since the box I used didn't stay upright as well as I had hoped, so we were all working together to bring their play to life. 

Space Art

I set out chalk pastels and black paper as an invitation to draw something in space. This resulted in some wonderful free explorations of lines, circles, blending colors, and even some word writing. 

Sensory Play

Flying Rockets

We used a template from Buggy and Buddy  to try out our own flying rockets.

The kids also used these for dramatic play around the classroom. 

Space Puzzles

These were used both for working together to build the puzzle, and as a backdrop for more dramatic play. :) 

Earth and the Parachute

My classes LOVE the parachute this year, so I'm always looking for ways to change it up. We used my blow-up globe for a few songs, as we thought about how the earth is one of the planets "floating" in space. 

 The energy and interest during this topic has been really fun!

Next our focus will be on the moon and the night sky

In the Night Sky

To explore the night sky we have been...

Counting Stars

Catching Stars

Recently I attended a math workshop where I was reminded that it is important for students to both

-have the chance to freely explore materials and make their own discoveries/connections 

-AND to be offered challenges that inspire new uses for materials and lead to new connections

So, I've been trying to more consciously apply that principle in our activities, and this bin is a great example of that. After the students had a chance to play and explore with the stars in the water bin, I provided a new challenge on a different day

Fishing for Stars

(Inspired by How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers)

I added paper clips to the stars and made simple magnetic fishing poles. 

This added a new purpose to the play, with an additional fine motor challenge. 

 I also added a math objectives as well by designating certain cups for different jobs: Classifying the stars by size or counting the stars as you caught them. (The counting cup is not pictured)

Starry Skies and Constellations 

Star stickers and wet chalk on dark paper

The Shapes of the Moon

(Inspired by Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle)

We've also thought a little bit about being awake and asleep at night, thinking about animals that stay awake and how we go to sleep...usually. :)  One game that is always a favorite for this topic is called Hoot Owl Hoot- a great collaborative game. 

Clouds + Rain

This month we have been exploring weather.

The first topic we focused on was clouds, which naturally lends itself to talking about rain as well.

Puffy Paint Cloud Art

We started this process with some fine motor work: straw cutting

Then we spread the puffy paint (shaving cream + glue)

And let it rain with our cut up straws.

 As a note: Although the puffy paint does contain glue, the straws didn't stick very well in this mixture once it dried. Extra glue might be needed to keep this look as a finished product. :)

Clouds Sensory Bin

Just cotton balls and blue rice

 After we'd had some time to explore this sensory bin, we used it to create our own rain bottles or rain sticks. I've tried DIY rainsticks before, and this has probably been my favorite. It's simple enough for the kids to put together completely on their own, and I love the visual of the clouds and the rain. 

(Inspiration found here)

We read a fun non-fiction book called Shapes in the Sky, and used styrofoam "clouds" for counting and making shapes.

 We also explored how the wind blows the clouds around. :)