Our friends in the Preschool class have enjoyed reading about, and playing their families. Some friends are dogs, most are babies, and some are Mommies or Daddies.
We read the book,
My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks
by Hanoch Piven.
The book is about a girl who draws a family portrait for her teacher. After she presents her plain, drawn version of her family, she realizes her simple marks don’t do her family justice, and begins to describe her family’s characteristics in similes and metaphors. She uses loose parts, and objects, to represent personality traits of her family with fun illustrations.
Our preschool friends were inspired.
“This is London. London is big”
London 3 years 1 month old
“My Daddy is big. He’s bigger than you. He has a weird nose.”
Arianna 3 years 9 months old
“This is my baby. He crawls. This is my babies bones. Not skin, just bones.”
Lila 3 years 4 months old
“This is my Mommy’s feet and my Daddy’s legs. This circle is my Daddy’s eye.”
David 4 years old
“This is five wheels so he (my daddy) can drive super fast.”
Jack R. 4 years old
Later in the week, we worked on SELF PORTRAITS!
Felix examining his facial features to see what else he should add to his portrait.
Jack B working intently.
Donovan’s self-portrait!
Jonah drawing his ears on either side of his head.
Jack R. working on his hair.
Jake carefully framing his face.
Alexander studying his facial features to check his work.
For additions to our classroom collection of self and family portraits, please check out our hanging
“art gallery” over the classroom Atelier space.
Outside Classroom: Inventive Play
Jack R. and Alex gather acorns from the hill and run back to the bench with acorns dropping from their fists.
“We got a lot!” Alexander said smiling.
Jack looked at his teacher and began explaining their game:
“We’re going to flick our acorns from here (the far end of one bench) across the hole, and to the other side!
Alex just did it! Good job, Alex!”
The daily acorn hunt, turned into a day of “hunting and gathering,” as children spent the
Autumn Equinox
harvesting “paper leaves,” yellow leaves, acorns, and seed pods.
Everyone was so proud of their crowns!
“We’re king!” Reed and Alex shouted!
“LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!” – Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are)
.. After our tree pose, of course! We welcome you, Autumn! With open arms!