You may have heard by now that the Middle Group kids have started calling themselves the “Vehicle Kids.”  Well that’s because this week they started a discussion about what a vehicle is exactly.  Some kids thought “Well it’s something that goes really fast!” But then Richard said but what happens when it stops, is it still a vehicle?  Someone else said a vehicle is something that moves you somewhere, to which Richard countered, “Is a person that carries you on their shoulders a vehicle?”  I think he did it just to stump them…but in any case, the kids are making ...
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The extended day kids have been learning the art of sculpture after a visit to the Porter Square kinetic sculpture,  “Gift of the Wind,” by Susumu Shingu.  They’ve been using construction paper, popscicle sticks, glue and clay to make their own creations.  Production slammed to a halt yesterday when it was discovered they ran out of glue!    The activity was replaced by a racious game of hide and seek.

Here are some shots of the sculptures:

We had a relay race on Tuesday out in the yard. The kids had to run and tag their partner, then the partner had to run to the the blue plastic mail box, tag that and run back. Lots of confusion and laughter and stumbles and rosy cheeks. The prize was a valentine erasure. We will have snowball throwing tomorrow.

We had a discussion in Ex day on Tuesday about what we would do after the Olympics in March. Cooking was the general consensus.

In the YG we have been focusing on our Child of the Week.. This week it is Henry. ...
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The Oldest Group went on our own field trip today. The parents and I rounded up our 4 year old troops and headed to Boston Common. We had an awesome T ride and the kids had an absolute blast on the playground at Park Street! As the adults froze like statues, the Oldest Groups kids could not have been more happy to be outside with their friends. After eating a snack and letting me take a ba-zillion pictures of them scampering about, we headed over to the Frog Pond for ice skating. I can honestly say I have never been ...
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The extended day kids have been keeping up with their Olympic Challenges. Greg Louganis, Keri Strug, Picabo Street – these guys they have nothing on our kids.

Last Thursday was the little known event, “Sausage Roll.” Many athletes have tried and failed at this – it involves extreme rolliness capabilities. Some kids put an extra twist on the event, they were MEATBALLS instead of sausages – what a daring technique!

Tuesday’s event was the “Ball Toss” and Thursday was the ever-so- popular “How far can you kick” event. ...
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As the oldest group grows in age (and wisdom), their relationships develop along with them! This has brought about a lot of recognition of similarities and differences amongst the kiddos and our current ‘Spotlight Kid’ curriculum is emphasizing just that. The oldest group is LOVING learning about one another and I am also noticing them forming new diads and triads because of it. New books, new foods, unique creations and charting birthdays are just a few things we do on a daily basis!

Next up: ...
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The Middle Group studied dinosaurs, beginning before and finishing after the holiday break. The concrete details of these animals, e.g. their size, diet, body characteristics made them an excellent focus of art projects, dramatic play, discussions and books. As with most of our units it is the activities, discussions that are the goal, not specific knowledge.

In mid-January we were the ‘snow and ice’ kids; we used snow in projects, melted it, froze it back to ice, drew it, painted it, made snow ...
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Paul and Richard have got the middle group kids immersed in the fun things you can do in the wintertime outside of the house. On Thursday Richard brought a bunch of snow in from outside and made lumps to show the kids how they could make even bigger ones outside and turn them into snow men.  Richard and Paul had cut white construction paper into circles that the kids used to tape into snow men, which they then colored with chalk and hung on the walls in the back classroom.

Friday was all about igloos.  Richard read the kids ...
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The Olympic Torch has arrived at the Agassiz! Specifically it’s in the hands of the extended day kids.

Ann and the kids made a poster of all the sports they could think up to be a part of the ceremonies. Our world champions will demonstrate their skills in the following categories (please do not attempt to try this at home, these kids are professionals):

…Things you can do with balls: ball throwing, ball kicking, baseketball, baseball, tennis, football, soccer

…Things you can do in water: fishing, swimming, diving

…Things you can do on land: running racing, ice skating, sledding, paper airplane ...
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The oldest group continues to grow in every way possible. From interpersonal relationships to cognitive/physical abilities; I simply cannot get enough of their fantastic nature.

Since returning from holiday break, the OG has been studying ’specialty vehicles,’ what they are used for, and how they operate. Between the stealth fighters and submarines of the military, the historical Wright Bros. bi-planes, steam/electric trains and pirate ships; the oldest group are experts in transportation!

Stay tuned for ‘Spotlight Kids,’ coming next week!

Be well!

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