Measuring Time

Measuring Time

In our class room we have been using timers, waiting lists and 2 small hour glasses to help children takes turns.  One hour glass lasted one minute (not long enough), and the other about 15 minutes (too long).

I proposed that thing make their own hour glass and they decide the amount of time.
The Materials I provided for making an hour glass(except it won't be an hour).

2 plastic bottles

bottle cap with hole

salt

tape

funnel

digital timer (stop watch)

Hour Glass - a glass vessel for measuring time in which sand runs from an upper compartment to a lower compartment in an hour.

The children worked to tape two bottles together.  This work provided an opportunity for the group to collaborate and make new connections.

I wonder if the children realized that the more salt they used, the more time it took to come through the hole in the cap into the other bottle? 

We placed the hour glass beside the sensory table to help them take turns.
  
Will the children make another hour glass?  Will this process help them think about time?

MOON STORIES: HEY, WHERE DID THE MOON GO?

Seeing the moon in the middle of the day was an experience that swept up every one's attention and suddenly the moon was a "friend".  Someone to gather carrots and leaves for. Someone to invite to birthday parties and to wish a happy birthday. The children wove stories together in ways they could relate to and have embraced experiences with materials they used to relate to their new "friend", the moon.

                                              A child noticed the moon in the sky one day as we made 
                                              our way to the playground: Suddenly all of the children 
                                              and teachers were fascinated with seeing it in the sky!


                    When we got to the playground we couldn't see it!

                         "Where's the moon?"  "Where did it go?"

                                            


We went to visit Anna in the studio to think more about the moon and why we couldn't see it. Anna asked, "What did the moon look like? Did it look like this (drawing a full moon), like this (drawing a half moon), or like this (drawing a crescent moon)?"  Kindergarten children were leaving the studio and they helped us name the different phases/shapes of the moon. A story unfolded as they drew and talked about the way the moon looked. 

                                        "My house is pink!"

“Once the moon was on the playground. Then he went home to his mommy... Little moon, Mommy and Daddy. They live in the house in the sky." - Tucker, Zane, Mason Cole and Harry

                                                             


Another day we were playing with salt dough when another story developed.

                                                The wolf and its baby  

Kirsten:  "The wolf chased the baby moon." 

Tucker:  "The wolf ate the moon and I'm going to     catch him! I hit the wolf and I'm going to eat him!"  

Sammy:  "I'm going to catch the moon too.  The wolf is not mean.  He had a baby wolf."

                       

                                           


Playing outside, the children wanted to give leaves and carrots to the moon for its birthday. As the children were collecting the leaves and putting them into their pockets they wondered if the moon would need a pocket as well. 

Making a pocket for the moon with Anna in the studio, we all wondered if it needed to be a little pocket or a BIG pocket. There was discussion about whether the pocket would be red or white.

  



                                           









Collecting leaves and carrots.

A rocket ship takes the children to the moon to deliver the carrots.

An idea came to the children when we brought the pocket to circle.  "We can make a door with kitties inside!" (The children thought of making doors that open with surprises inside after reading a book that had flaps for opening to provide an interesting twist and opportunity for humor.)








They made a door with carrots painted on the front and then drew their own houses on the inside.  They cut kitties and carts out of felt and decorated them with sparkles.  When the door opens there are kitties on carts inside. I wonder if they wanted the moon to know where they live.  Are they hoping the moon will come to visit them? The moon seems to be their special friend. Someone who shares birthdays and can receive presents.

                                         
                                                         
                                        
An invitation came from the moon: "Please write a story for me. Love, The Moon."  

Harry: "A CHOO CHOO TRAIN BRINGS BALLS FOR YOU."

Tucker: "I HAVE A BOW AND ARROW TO SHOOT MY NAME AND BOOK TO YOU.             THE WOLF CHASES THE MOON. HE TRIPS."

Charlie: "OPEN THE DOOR. A DOGGY IS INSIDE. A WOLF CHASES THE MOON."

Charlie: "A WOLF CHASES THAT MOON. STOP, MOON!"

Express mail delivery...

Mason Cole: "THE KITTIES ON CARTS... THEY PARKED!"

Sticks, Cones, Seeds, Stones, Leaves and Pods

This fall, children and teachers in the Rainbow room have been collecting natural materials from around the school. The children noticed the beauty of these materials. They brought them into the classroom and added them to our nature center.

A teacher encouraged the children to make collages.

 Several children were able to slow down and focus on choosing the materials.  They carefully arranged the elements.. to create their inner peace? At their stage of development they are just beginning to notice patterns.