" Today was FABULOUS!! "

When I have a moment to sit down and collect my thoughts, I will be posting about the additional wonderful things I learned during my Reggio training. For now, I'd like to share with you the note from Mama Tanya and the story she shared about her day at the casa. =)

Muchas Gracias Mamita, for helping out today.
==

I have TONS of photos, and will go through them tonight.

The girls played in the sandbox for a while. Lauren made applesauce, Sophia made a cake and Mia boated…like her Pawpaw. Then we went inside and pulled out all the musical instruments and made beautiful music together until Austin arrived. Alex was hungry, so Sophia sweetly held his bottle the whole time he ate…such a helper. Then we popped in the CD and pulled out the Djembe! They were so excited! Mia started playing, and she was saying ‘bass..tone…tone’ then all the others got into it. I showed them where to find the bass and were to find the tone. Mia and I also sung Fanga until the others just jumped in and sang along. I hadn’t expected to teach them the lyrics to Fanga. It was delightful. :)

Then out for painting. Mia finished up her bat while the others opted for water colors…then crayons, so we just flipped their papers over and kept going. I brought out the little pumpkins and gourds. We talked about their different colors and shapes, then read the pumpkin book…forgot the title. I pulled out the modeling clay and set to work on making a pretty good rendition on a pumpkin. I doled out everyone’s piece of clay. Lauren ran and got the rolling pins. They shaped and sculpted for quite a while, then made their little pumpkins….stems and all. I think they were pretty darn good. Oh, I went back and read the list of activities for the day and read that we were supposed to make SMALL sculptures….here’s hoping they were small enough…not sure as we used all the clay. :)

They had a lot of free time to do as they pleased. Sophia, Lauren and Austin went around and around the picnic table a gazillion times. Austin tired and joined Mia at the patio table. They played peek-a-boo with each other under the table for a while. Tooooo cute. Back indoors for lunch then more free play. We listened to José Luis Orozco’s music all morning, even during lunch. The kids were eating then all of a sudden they all broke into Pio Pio y La Araña Pequeñita.

More free play after lunch. Sophia, Austin and Lauren played with the cars and buses…the bus is having front wheel problems L Mia was totally into the little mother doll with the baby and little cradle. Then they all switched…books, music, manipulatives. I really enjoyed watching them totally engrossed with whatever activity they were involved in, then they would move on to something else. Very happily sharing objects and space.

Lauren, Austin and Sophia went down for their naps without a problem. Mia stayed downstairs with me. While waiting for Mr. Mike, Mia went back to the little mother and baby. I could watch her for hours.

Thank you for the opportunity to be involved with Casa T in such a present way. I truly enjoyed the whole day…the children were fabulous and easy. They made me laugh and sit in wonder….they are all such different and special people. You’ve got a good thing going there at Casa T!

Besos y mucho cariño

Tanya

Notes from the Sub

While I was at the Reggio workshop today, Andrea (Mama to Colton) came in and ran things at the house. It was SO strange to leave the children (including my own) with someone else in my place, but I felt very confident knowing the kiddies were in great hands. What was especially comforting was, that Mama Andrea knows all the children, and they know her, so me leaving, was very easy for us all. I thought perhaps Sophia would be clingy or cry as I left. Nope. Even Lulu didn't seem to notice I was heading out. They were all so excited about their visitors today!

I have much to share about what I learned today, and am excited about additional ideas I will implementing and adding to my program, and especially happy about the alliance I have with the owner of the Olive Tree.

What a wonderful and beautiful little school this is going to be! And a great option for S. and Central Austin families. I have Part II of the training on Thursday, but for now, I'll leave the parents with the notes from our 'sub' today. And she even managed to take a few pics. ;)

Andrea, thank you for coming in.

*The beautiful tree in their playground.


All went quite well today! Seemed everyone was on best behavior…er…except for my son who needed reminding of the rules at Casa T. I am sure that was partly due to Mama being the “teacher” today! No accidents but we did have some splashing around the potty and some paint mess so those towels are on top of the washing machine.

Everyone ate well and Sophia opted to eat some of Colton’s quesadillas so that is why her lunch looks barely touched.

I only got Lauren, Colton and Austin to reach in the pumpkin once and then they refused. Austin said it was too messy and Lauren said it was yucky…lol. They did enjoy rinsing the seeds in the strainer and tossing them with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon before baking.

I read the “Pumpkin Time” book immediately prior to our Pumpkin exploration which was a nice segue as they seemed excited to see the seeds inside. I wanted to capture some pics but then for the first time ever I had low batteries and so just got a few!

Austin put eyes on his bat and then while working on starting Gwen’s Colton added some of his own artwork to her paper so she may need a do-over! The white painting on black paper is Lauren’s picture of Austin’s ghost that he told us all about today.

All in all Colton and I enjoyed ourselves.
Andrea


Photos by Andrea H.

Corn, Cornhusk Dolls, (and Binoculars too!), and Love Chants

Highlights of our Day

To go along with these week's theme of corn, we did several things using it. A few days ago, I shucked fresh corn and put the husks aside. When the children arrived this week, we soaked the husks to make them soft, and then we made cornhusk dolls. They were much easier than I thought they'd be and it was something the kiddies got excited about.



We have a head (with hair), arms, and hands, just need a torso, legs and feet.


All finished!





Fine Motor
We also removed the kernels from the Indian corn cob.

Practical Life (and more Fine Motor)

Next, we used the kernels for some additional fine motor fun with a transfer activity. The children used the spoon to transfer the kernels from one bowl to fill the other bowl. They also practiced pouring back and forth.



Sensory
Damon discovered the geometric puzzle cabinet today and played with the circle tray.


The children finally finished their bird binoculars from last week. These projects take time, so instead of rushing, we take our time, and get them done as we can. =)



Music



I love, love, LOVE Ella Jenkins' Call-and-Response rhythmic group singing! It's very similar to the djembe class I took this summer and the children and I have been singing and drumming along to these two songs in particular, both lead by a young 12 y/o girl. Take a moment to listen...

Love Chant from North Africa.

http://muzetunes.com/playback.asx?c=TPkZIUT52ay_Usslikl0pCoH81b2PRPV0l0NaWbYj_A=&f=B

Chant from West Africa

http://muzetunes.com/playback.asx?c=TPkZIUT52ay_Usslikl0pFpkCL81czPl7viY2VJoxOM=&f=B



Take note of Lulu's hair. Yes, she is shaking her head THAT hard to the rhythm.

Can you see why I love my job?



Other glimpses from this week...

The children have been playing with this botany flower puzzle. It's designed to help illustrate the different parts of a flower and for children ages 3-6. Got it so they could use it down the road, but already, they're intrigued and are doing quite well with it!

Carousel, Little Folks, and Sprouts

Highlights of Our Day

Imaginative Play
What we spent a good amount of time doing yesterday. Are these little people adorable?







Art
Working on Bird Binoculars


Culinary
We made homemade pizza.
Today's toppings were zucchini, black olives, and hints of rocotta cheese.







Evidence of growth in our Fall Garden as seen by our young naturalist, Lulu.


Gross Motor
Playing chase with their puppies.



My favorite shot of the day below.
Damon loves his Bobee (sp?) as much as Sophia loves Puppy.



We also jammed to some Beatles music today, inspired by Damon's cool shirt.

Learning, Learning, and more Learning

I often feel like I'm back in school with all the early childhood books and articles I bury my nose into. Continuing Education is how I like to think of it. So I'm very excited about having been invited to be a participant in a Reggio training workshop at the end of October. I will be out on a Tuesday and Thursday, the 28th and 30th, and have two gracious mamas who have offered to come in and run the fort! Andrea (Colton's mama) will be coming in on Tuesday the 28th, and Mama Tanya will come in on the 30th. They will carry on the fun activities I have planned for that day. Sophia's Papa will be taking a half day and coming home to relieve the mamas after the kids go down for nap.

This is a terrific opportunity for me as there are no Reggian schools in the Austin area and the owner of the about-to-be-opened preschool in S. Austin has extended to the offer for me to attend the training. Everything I've learned about Reggio, has been from books, so it will be wonderful to see examples and speak to a live trainer on various topics. The timing can't be better as we're in the beginning stages of emergent art with the children. This is totally worth the time (and the cost).

And I look forward to sharing what I learn when I return...

Love,
Andrea

Cornhusks!

I have plenty, so no need for anybody to bring any after all! =)

Off to go shuck.

Bird Binoculars, Azul el Pescado, and Visitors!

Wrapping up the week with some photos.

Art
Painting the rolls which will become our bird binoculars.









Austin helping clean up.



Culinary
The children helped make treats for their pet dogs. And the only one that tried licking the spoon was my daughter. Go figure.







Ok, so did ANY of your pets eat the treats we made? The mix ended up having WAY more flour than the recipe called for, but I promise, my feelers won't be hurt if EVEN your pooch didn't eat them! ;()

I don't think I've given a proper introduction to our school pet.

Meet Azul (name given by Domi).



I rescued him at a dinner banquet in which he was the centerpiece at our table. He's already grown and his color is beautiful now. The kids enjoy feeding him and watching him.

Ita comes to visit
We had a treat yesterday. Mia brought her Ita to come visit the casa for a while. Ita (short for Abuelita), was visiting from McAllen. It was wonderful meeting you Ita. And now I know where Mama Tanya gets her warm fuzzy hugs from.





Practical Life
Putting on shoes and getting ready to go home.

Materials for remainder of October

Next week, our focus will be on corn and we'll need PLENTY of cornhusks for each of the children for a project. Apparently, these can be found in the produce department of grocery stores, and they're happy to give them away if we ask.

The last week of October, our focus will be on Pumpkins!

I'll post more in the next days as I think of stuff...

Bird Feathers, Sign Language, and Water Pouring

Do I have the most amazing parents, or what? *And what I mean by parents, are YOU all. That's teacher lingo in case you didn't know. As teachers and caregivers, our students become 'our kids' and their parents become 'our parents'. Lisa knows what I'm sayin, right? ;) Have you all heard that joke about the teacher in the grocery store who sees a man, goes up to him and says, 'Hello, you're the father of one of my children', and the man freaks out, until she explains what she meant was the father of one of her students! Tee hee hee...

Ok, back to business...
--

Highlights of our day

Today, Gwen arrived with some birds for our show and tell. A hummingbird, penguin, a goldfinch, and a duck! Austin brought in two super cool items (one book and one pamphlet) on local birds and he also had a big envelope from Redmond, Oregon, sent by his grandmother Ria. It had feathers in it! So the kiddies got to feel feathers from a seagull, a mourning dove, a turkey, and another dove! What I love about these stuffed birds is they make a very accurate sound when squeezed. The kids enjoyed listening to the sounds after we read our stories today, and we even could hear birds in the backyard during our storytime because we had the patio doors open. Talk about perfect timing. We then went outside and listened and watched for birds. Lulu is convinced she saw an Eagle.

Mama Allison even showed us the signs for the following birds today.
Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Eagle

Lulu showing Mama Melissa and Gwen items on the nature table.



Fine Motor and Practical Life
Pouring Water



So what's the big deal about having the kids pour water? This sums it up well.

Pouring water from one container to another, prepares children for more complicated work like washing a table or flower arranging. It also helps children function better as they’re able to pour their own drink at snack time or when they’re thirsty. They will also learn about the proper way to clean up after themselves if they’ve spilled. It gives children the opportunity to demonstrate grace and courtesy when they are able to offer and pour visitors a drink of water. =)

Pouring ultimately enhances control and coordination. This gives the child more independence. It is a self-correcting work that needs no teacher intervention. With every turn, the child is learning with improved results and gaining confidence. It maybe frustrating or messy at times, but resist the urge to help. The process is enjoyable for the child and he/she is learning fine and gross motor skills, as well as developing eye-hand coordination, in a safe, prepared environment.

Bottom line, they LOVED it!

As they emptied their small bottle, they learned how to dunk it underwater in the large bowl to refill it. Once their bottle was filled, they'd pour it back out into the large bowl and start again.









Gratitude

A big thank you to Gwen and Mama M for the gift of the birdhouse windchimes for the casa.
Now we have an additional serene sound we can hear while we play on the patio. Thank you!!

~Andrea