Snowmen Bottle Lights

Snowmen Bottle Lights

We did this nice little project in January 2012.  I enjoy working with the children on projects.  I think it helps them see that you can use multiple steps to an end. This is true in many areas of the curriculum from writing, to science, to art as well as many more. It is a great life lesson.

We made snowmen by reusing plastic bottles.  I cut a hole in the bottom of each bottle.  The children used a mixture of glue and water to cover their bottle with torn strips of white tissue paper. On the lid, they glued black tissue paper for a hat.  After drying, they attached a ribbon for a scarf, an orange felt nose, and black tissue paper eyes and buttons. Next, they glued on white and blue snowflakes for a little "bling."  Each child inserted a flameless tea light in the bottom.  They enjoyed this project and learned to do things in steps.  I found this project on Pinterest on several sites including:  http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/the-a-bottle-able-snowmen-1030092/.  The parents helped by bringing in bottles.  Many of the children enjoyed using a pomegranate juice bottle while others were attracted to various types of bottles.  They were so pleased with the outcome of their little project.

Planets in Our Solar System

A group who decided to work together to produce spheres of various sizes.

Learning about the planets in our solar system is a fascinating topic to 5-7 year olds.  However, it is not that is particularly "hands-on."  We cannot bring a planet into the classroom or visit a planet on a field trip.  Well, unless you are a teacher like Ms. Frizzle of the famed "Magic School Bus" series.    However, there are several concepts that help us to understand our solar system that can be "hands-on." One is learning that the planets are spherical shapes.  We participated in two activities to explore this concept.  First, we made a variety of spheres with playdough.  It was interesting to see how the children approached this activity.  Some made individual planets, one at a time.  Others made the entire solar system together.  Some of the children created a series of spheres while exploring the various sizes.  Several choose to work together.  Their work reminded me of their work with many of the Montessori materials they have explored in the past.  Many of these materials were graduated in size, weight, etc.

An interpretation of Saturn with its rings.

 

One complete solars system in progress - one more planet to go!

    

Exploring seriation.

Montessori Cylinder Blocks

Montessori Knobless Cylinders

Montessori Geometric Solids

Our second activity involving spheres was to paint with marbles.  We put marbles in various colors of paint and rolled them across paper placed inside a tray.