Winter Theme - Change

Winter Term 2 Ateliers Beginning January 28th.

Your children have been divided into groups that will explore seven ateliers together over the next several months.  Each group will stay with a teacher for one week.  All ateliers will be from 3:30-4:15.

Our ateliers this term are: Music, Science, Cooking, Art, Drama, Movement, and Language.
Each atelier has a teacher-framed theme that the kids work within to build their own curriculum as the week unfolds.  Every term has a “Big Idea” that unites each individual atelier.  A big idea is an overarching or unifying concept that each teacher can incorporate into their unique explorations.  A big idea must be substantial enough to provide inspiration for teachers looking at it from multiple perspectives (i.e.; science, art, gross motor, literacy etc.) and roomy enough to allow space for children to co-construct their individual learning experiences alongside teachers and peers. 


This term the “Big Idea” is:  Change.

Below you will find a description of each atelier.


Atelier: Language                                                  Teacher: Shawn
Theme: Changing Communications
Description:
We will explore multiple languages including Spanish, French, Mandarin, and American Sign Language. We will use books, CDs, group games, provocations, and exciting new songs as resources while we discover the wonderful new world of languages. Our goal is to discover how language can change through various communications and in different settings.



Atelier: Drama                                                                                  Teacher: Adrianne
Theme: Creating Character
Description:
To discover and learn more about change the drama atelier will be exploring the world of characters. We will be utilizing props, miming, as well costuming and other theater materials to change into a brand new character. Through exploring the world of drama we can learn more about how characters are created, as well as how we can change ourselves to become someone/something different.


Atelier: Science                                                          Teacher: Carissa
Theme: Actions and Reactions
Description:
Science offers us a wonderful opportunity to experience the changes that happen naturally in the world. For every action there is a reaction, and those cause and effect relationships will provide so many experiences to explore the way things change. We will be looking at the growth and changes that take place in living things including plants, animals, and people.


Atelier: Cooking                                                         Teacher: Meghan
Theme: Exploration of Change Through Pasta Making
Description:
This term we will be learning all about change through the exciting activity of pasta making. We will begin by discussing changes in food and how it is different at different stages in the cooking process, think dough to bread to toast. Each group will get to decide how to make their pasta as well as what shapes. We will observe the process as we dry it, cook then finally eat it!


Atelier: Art                                                                Teacher: Kati/Lindsey
Theme: Paper Mache Changes
Description:
Change can be discovered through art in so many ways. While teacher Lindsey is on vacation Kati will be incorporating the topic of change into mask making and paper mache. Everyone will be able to create their very own paper mache “mask” and watch as the paper and glue changes into a mask which changes the person wearing the mask into something completely different.



Atelier: Music                                                            Teacher: Teresa
Theme: Musical Variables                                                                            
Description:
Music is always changing and creating that change empowers children. We will be discovering the many variables of music by manipulating familiar songs. Children may decide to change the words of a song, change the tone, volume, speed or instruments used to create brand new songs from our old favorites. We may find that changing the music can change not only how the music sounds, but also how the music makes us feel.


Atelier: Movement                                                      Teacher: Bridget
Theme: Growing Up - Moving Up
Description:
Our exploration of change will begin with a brainstorm of what we know about change. We will discover and invent ways to move our bodies to represent the changes that we are interested in. From a tree growing big and tall from a small seed, to popcorn popping, to a caterpillar eating a lot then turning into a butterfly, we will explore all of the ways things change through our bodies. We may do a dance, create a movement, or even do yoga as we explore this familiar topic.

Winter Ateliers - Tradition

Winter Term Ateliers Beginning December 3, 2012

Your children have been divided into groups that will explore eight ateliers together over the next several months. Each group will stay with a teacher for one week. All ateliers will be from 3:30-4:15.

Our ateliers this term are: Cultural Studies, Music, Science, Cooking, Art, Mechanics, Movement, and Sensory.

Each atelier has a teacher-framed theme that the kids work within to build their own curriculum as the week unfolds. Every term has a “Big Idea” that unites each individual atelier. A big idea is an overarching or unifying concept that each teacher can incorporate into their unique explorations. A big idea must be substantial enough to provide inspiration for teachers looking at it from multiple perspectives (i.e.; science, art, gross motor, literacy etc.) and roomy enough to allow space for children to co-construct their individual learning experiences alongside teachers and peers.

This term the “Big Idea” is: Tradition.

Below you will find a description of each atelier.

Atelier: Cultural Studies                                                   Teacher: Shawn

Theme: World Traditions

Description:

We will explore various traditions of the world through teacher and peer-lead activities; using music, literature, and the arts as the foundations of our study this term. The goal of these learning experiences is to introduce children to the richness of our world and the cultures within it. We will unravel the concept of tradition through various experiential learning opportunities

Atelier: Music                                                   Teacher: Adrianne

Theme: Folk Songs for Children

Description:

To enhance our understanding of tradition in music, we will be singing some of the most famous folk songs; a tradition which has been passed down from generation to generation. Folk music offers ways to feel connected to heritage. Children will enjoy singing and acting out songs, as well as exploring the tradition instruments people use to create music.

Atelier: Science                                                   Teacher: Carissa

Theme: The Scientific Method

Description:

One of the oldest traditions in science is the scientific method. We will explore tradition by asking questions, forming a hypothesis, testing/experimenting to seek answers. We will gain a greater understanding of the world around us through experiencing the wonders of asking questions and finding answers, just as people have done for centuries.

Atelier: Cooking                                                   Teacher: Meghan

Theme: Traditional Food

Description:

During this winter term we will explore traditional foods and discuss what it means to cook traditionally. Discussions about what we eat and what others eat will guide our learning about traditional foods. We look forward to making two things that have been enjoyed in many cultures for many years- challah bread and butter from scratch.

Atelier: Art                                                   Teacher: Lindsay

Theme: Art Around the World

Description:

Most traditional cultures express themselves through the fine arts, and each day we will focus on the art from a different part of the world. We will explore the art of each region and then friends will have an opportunity to be inspired and create their own “traditional art” using the techniques we discover.

Atelier: Mechanics                                                  Teacher: Teresa

Theme: Values of Machines                                                                            

Description:

Machines have been used in many ways for various reasons throughout our lives. Through the exploration of simple machines such as inclined planes, levers, screws, and pulleys we will learn more about all the ways these tools have been used traditionally, and how they are still used today.

Atelier: Sensory                                                   Teacher: Bridget

Theme: Senses of the Season

Description:

The winter season brings us many traditions, as well as many things to sense. We are going to explore many of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the season. Everything from music to peppermint can be experienced through the use of our many senses to help us gain a greater understanding of the world around us.

Atelier: Drama                                                   Teacher: Cortney

Theme: Cultures of the Pacific Northwest                                                                            

Description:

This term we will take a look at the art of storytelling through a variety of traditions. Students will have the opportunity to experience and create different forms of stories, as well as discuss familiar traditional stories from their family or culture. We will be listening to many stories and learning more about the methods of storytelling. The tradition of handing down customs, rituals, dances, and stories provides us with an opportunity to explore the value of traditions.

Fall 2012 Term Announcement

Your children have been divided into groups that will explore eight ateliers together over the next several months.  Each group will stay with a teacher for one week.  Ateliers take place from 3:30-4:15.

Our ateliers this term are: Cultural Studies, Music, Science, Cooking, Art, Mechanics, Movement, and Sensory. 

Each atelier has a teacher-framed theme that the kids work within to build their own curriculum as the week unfolds.  Every term has a “Big Idea” that unites each individual atelier.  A big idea is an overarching or unifying concept that each teacher can incorporate into their explorations.  A big idea must be substantial enough to provide inspiration for teachers looking at it from multiple perspectives (i.e.; science, art, movenment, literacy etc.) and roomy enough to allow space for children to co-construct their individual learning experiences alongside teachers and peers. 

This term’s “Big Idea” is Value. 

Below you will find a description of each atelier.

Atelier: Cultural Studies                                                   Teacher: Shawn

Theme: The World Around Us     

Description:

We will explore the idea of value through a 5 step process that will provide each child with a greater understanding of the world around them and how they are connected to it. Because preschool children learn best when they can directly relate to the topic at hand we will start small and scale up. Our first exploration with be a body map.  From there we will extend our reach to classroom. How do our bodies navigate space in the classroom? Next it will be on the school and Portland. Where does our class fit into the overall school? Where is our school in city of Portland? Depending on the pace and interests of the children we will continue to expand, first exploring maps of the United States and finally on the World. Throughout, we will be learning about numbers, measurement, scale, compasses, map reading and geographical language.

Atelier: Music                                                          Teacher: Adrianne

Theme: Exploring Value Through Song  

Description:

This term in Music we will be taking a close look at the song “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles and how a song’s lyrics and music can illustrate values important to us.  After working as group to examine this one song, students will be able to choose a song from the Beatles catalog and we will spend the week examining its meaning, strengthening our rhythmic ears and using instruments to record our work.

Atelier: Science                                                          Teacher: Carissa

Theme: Comparing Natural Objects 

Description:

Is a feather bigger than a pinecone?  How can we decide? By measuring!  One of the definitions of our theme, Value, is a numerical number measuring quantity or denoting magnitude.  We’ll measure natural objects, using our bodies, rulers and scales.  Science explorers will have the opportunity to see, touch and express whether something is long, longer, or longest, for example. How heavy does the stone feel compared to the leaf? Can the same objects have different relationships to one another? What if s feather is bigger than the rock, but the rock is still heavier? Throughout, there will be a focus on numerical literacy, comparative language and prediction making!

Atelier: Cooking                                                         Teacher: Meghan

Theme: Values in Baking                                                                            

Description:

This term in cooking we will discuss numerical value throughout the steps of baking autumn whole wheat pumpkin bread.  We will discover the concepts of unit, measurement and amount by following a recipe and preparing, mixing and baking this healthy and seasonal treat.

Atelier: Art                                                   Teacher: Lindsay

Theme: Color Theory                                                                            

Description:

We will use multiple media to explore the concept of primary colors, the relationships between colors, and examine the relative lightness or darkness or hue of our favorite colors. Color, color, and more color!

Atelier: Mechanics                                                   Teacher: Cody

Theme: The Value of Machines      

Description:

We will explore the value machines hold for us.  We will begin by studying the 6 different types of Simple Machines.  We will create our own simple machines and find out how they use force and motion to make our work easier.  We may even make some compound machines.

Atelier: Sensory                                                   Teacher: Bridget

Theme: Sensing Value                                                                            

Description:

This term we will be exploring the idea of value using sensory materials such as homemade playdough.  The children and I will discuss the meaning of value and decide what materials to add for different textures, colors and scents.  The children will have opportunities to explore each material and then together we will evaluate them using the senses of sight, touch and smell. 

Atelier: Drama                                                   Teacher: Cortney

Theme:  Cultural Values through Drama                        

Description:

 This term we will focus on our own region, the Pacific Northwest, and explore past and present cultures and traditions that are not too far from home. We explore the values of the different cultures we encounter using techniques from drama: storytelling, imaginary journeys, improvisation etc. Here is how I imagine the week unfolding - We will begin on Monday with questions and research: What does ‘Pacific Northwest’ mean anyway? What does it look like? What makes it unique? On Tuesday, perhaps we will take and imaginary journey to some place or time that caught the children’s interest. We will use the rest of the week to learn through drama about the language, food, clothing and other traditions of a particular people or place.  Then again, we may not – each week will be different so stay tuned to find out how things went on your child’s week.