Mixing Colours Experiment

We are learning about mixing colours.  Today in kindergarten, we read stories about colours, sang songs about mixing them, and made (another) mess.  Tomorrow we will be working with clay, and on Thursday AND Friday we will be finger painting.  This might be our messiest week yet!!  Stay tuned for more pictures.

We also had a visit from our Tech/Reading Buddies and we did a project on the iPads.  I will try to post our final projects with more details tomorrow.

The Integrated Arts: Visit 1

Today we welcomed clay artist Donna Garofalo.  We learned all about forming shapes and drawing in the clay to create the details on our self-portraits.  We used tools to roll out our clay and poke holes in it it.  It was messy and fun.  Mme Donna took our projects home to cook in her kiln, which reaches 2500°F!  We'll get to paint our faces before we bring them home.

Say Cheese!

Brody won a prize today for following our kindergarten rules and he chose to be our class photographer.  Here are some of the (70!) photos he took of his friends at school today. You have a good eye, Brody!

What is Peace?

This past week at school, we had many discussions about what peace means.  We spoke about symbols of peace, what Remembrance Day is all about, and how we can make peace in our own lives.

Inspired by this book by Todd Parr, 'C'est quoi, la paix?', we made a short video about what peace means to us. The kids chose things that make them feel peaceful, like hugs from mom and dad, and taking care of friends.  Other kids chose food, as many of our discussions centred around feeling peaceful when we are taken care of, like when our moms and dads make us delicious meals and snacks for kindergarten.  What struck me about all of our discussions is that to a 4- or 5-year old, peace can be found in a simple thing (eating a piece of fruit, or a snuggle with a stuffed toy).  When we look at how that simple thing makes them feel loved and safe, it becomes powerful enough to shape a life.

A Special Surprise

Friday was a perfect day for a special surprise that I've been planning.   We had a popcorn party!!  We spent a period watching a French show called Annie Brocoli.  It was meant to celebrate what a wonderful little family we've become in kindergarten.  This is such a caring and considerate group of students.  They help one another; include, protect and comfort one another; and they show me every day how much they care about the community that we've created in our classroom. 

Doves for Peace

Today, we made doves (une colombe) and learned that they are a symbol of peace (la paix).

Peace and Poppies

Today we started talking about peace and Remembrance Day.  We painted poppies, which will be part of the school's Remembrance Day ceremony on Thursday.