This week during ECO we had a "Roxaboxen" theme.  We began by reading  the book "Roxaboxen" by Alice McLerran, a story about a group of children and the imaginary town they create using what they find in the desert environment:  "There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill--nothing but sand and rocks, some old wooden boxes, cactus and greasewood and thorny ocotillo--but it was a special place..."  We made connections between the special space in the story and our space in the forest, despite the different environments.  Children were then invited to create their own Roxaboxen using what was around them and lots of imagination!  This theme has carried over to the playground during After School and recess as well.

This week we continued exploring motion and how things move.  We spent time discussing what good scientists do, beginning by asking a question.  Once they have a question they make a prediction.  Then they do several tests to see if their predictions are correct.  It's okay if the prediction is wrong!  Next, good scientists study their results and see if they can learn something from them.  Often this will lead to more questions.

We went through this process with the question "Which ball will go down the slide fastest?" We all made predictions and then tested each ball 3 times, using a timer to see how fast each ball traveled.  Our results were surprising and all of our predictions were wrong!  We looked carefully at the balls and somebody noticed the biggest ball seemed to be the fastest, while the smallest was the slowest.  As we were contemplating this, another child astutely observed that the fastest ball was also the heaviest.  We decided we have some more testing to do to determine whether it is weight or size that makes the faster ball! (Alas, I was too busy managing timers and balls to take any pictures of this, but below are some pictures of children exploring motion in other ways.)

This week we began a science unit exploring motion.  Throughout this unit students will observe and describe how pushes and pulls of various objects are used to produce and control motion.  In the classroom we explored various ways to make different objects move and we also sorted objects into categories based on whether they are moved by pushing them, pulling them, or both.  (We decided most things can be pushed and pulled.)

Making the chair move by scooting it.

Using a catapult for motion.

Swinging a stuffed dog on a string!

During ECO this week we also focused on forces and motion.  Children were given a variety of materials including buckets, twine, and pulleys to design a way for a squirrel (or mouse, or chipmunk) to move from one point to another.  This was lots of fun and it felt like we were just getting into it when we needed to stop.  We will definitely make time to continue this exploration during a future ECO session!

An elevator.

Zipline!

This week during choice time there has been great interest in sewing.  Children have been using felt to design their own creations.  Other than help threading the needles they have been remarkably independent in both designing and sewing.  It has been a great opportunity to work on having a growth mindset, rolling with mistakes and imperfections and persisting through frustration.  It has also provided lots of opportunity for students to help each other out as I have been pretty occupied with threading needles!

During ECO on Wednesday students worked in pairs looking for shapes in nature.  Once we started looking, it was amazing how many shapes we found! While students were searching for shapes we cooked potatoes over the fire- a warm and delicious treat on a chilly morning!  Thank you for sending children prepared for the cold.

This week we began our artist residency working with local potter Leslie Montalto.  Each student will be making a bowl for our Empty Bowls event in May.  (I'll give further updates as they come!)  Everyone had lots of fun designing and shaping their bowls.  Students also had an opportunity to make a small pinch pot and help Leslie as she threw a bowl on a pottery wheel.  We will continue our work with Leslie next week as well.

Today we shared our nature name books and paper mache with our third and fourth grade buddies.  Kindergarteners shared their projects with lots of pride and the third and fourth graders were excellent listeners.  I heard many compliments and words of encouragement.

This week our focus for ECO was beavers.  We are fortunate to have a stuffed beaver residing in our classroom for the week, so we are able to do some close observations and get a really good sense of what a real beaver looks like as well as some of the features that help them survive.  One classmate had a chance to dress up as a beaver so we could check out some of these characteristics!  In the forest children used peelers to whittle sticks and  worked in teams to build dams (it was too cold to actually do this in water, but I think they got a good sense of process- we may try again on a warmer day.)

Another highlight of our week was getting a couch for the classroom.  The pre-school was replacing their couch and generously gave us the old one.  It has been a huge hit!