Shapes and Sizes

As part of observing the growth of our amaryllis plant, we added a little measurement into some of our playdough shape explorations as well. Here we are thinking about the sizes of different shapes that we are creating. 

There's something so engaging about making marks in the playdough.

Both of these friends even made sweet little faces. :)

Opportunities for exploring shape and size came up in other kinds of play as well.

Shapes from our Math Bags

 We are building up a great collection from all of our math bag items! Last week I gathered up some of the items, and set them out as an invitation to look for and create different shapes. It inspired some great shape work and creative exploring. 

Black and White (+Penguins...)

We wrapped up our winter study during the last week of January by exploring the colors black and white along with penguins.

Drawing lines in the Writing Tray

Creating and Playing Black and White Patterns on the Piano Keys

Painting with Black and White

Several children discovered they could make gray!

White Sand at the Light Table with Loose Parts

We also did some other penguin activities along with two of our favorite penguin books.

Book Love: Two Favorite Penguin Books

There are a lot of fun books out there about penguins, probably because they are such fun animals to learn about. This year, we spent most of our time with these two favorites.

A Penguin Story was a new book for me this year, but I instantly loved it and it's potential for connecting learning activities. It's part of what inspired our additional exploration of black and white while we thought about penguins. In the story, one penguin is determined to find a different color other than the black, white, and blue that makes up his world. I love that this book is imaginative, and yet brings in some informational aspects as well that you could explore further. For example, my students were really interested in the scientists- what they lived in and why they dressed a certain way. What a great opportunity for talking about what it might really be like to study penguins in Antarctica!

Extension Ideas: We created some artwork inspired by the penguins search for color. First we made penguins out of black paper and puffy paint, and then mounted them to blue paper.

Then later we created something colorful for the penguins to find, using a watercolor and salt process.

We also enjoyed a black, white, and blue sensory bin, made from ice, snow, and water beads.

Another favorite book that I love for both talking about penguins and about friendship is Penguin and Pinecone.  I've highlighted this book before with a different connection activity.

Extension Ideas: This year, I set out a table with some loose parts inspired by the book, including pinecones, yarn, rocks, and little pine trees. There were a lot of warmly wrapped pinecones and trees by the end of the day. :)