The last week before Summer Vacation

 I would have thought that the children would have been less focused during the last days of school but they were as engaged as ever.  Whether it was exploring the properties of water with a facilitator from “Lets Talk Science”, building with the sensorial materials, digging for dinosaur bones or doing art with a younger sibling who happened to be in for an orientation visit, the classroom was abuzz with activity. ~Ms. Melanie

Wrapping up

Thank you to all our Maple Tree Families for such an amazing year!  It has been a great year and it was fun to cap off our tenth year with a big party with loads of fun and cake!  We are all wishing you a safe and restful summer~  See you in the fall!   ~Ms. Michelle

And the tree came tumbling down

 Today was an especially exciting day in so many ways.  Firstly, I had a meeting with my licensing consultant at the new location and we put a plan together regarding paperwork deadlines and she brought me some amazing ideas for our new outside space.    I can't say who she is but I can say this...she is amazing and she makes my work life so much easier and I know I would be pulling my hair out if it weren't for her.

 Secondly, Myles from Collins' Tree Service came to cut down our tree.  He is the nicest man I think I have ever met.  He came today to cut down the Massive Maple Tree just outside the front door of our new space.  Not only did he do such an awesome job of cutting down the tree but he was super professional, affordable (really affordable) and he let me dictate how I wanted my tree cut.

We all watched patiently as he cut long sticks and big logs for walking on.  We had some cut so long that they formed a teepee in the back garden already with a blue tarp.  I even had Myles cut me chunks of wood  into steps for our new play space.  When he realized what I wanted them for he was so happy to take the time to make it just right for me.

It was so exciting to watch the massive trunk fall and crack in two.  We were told it was a good idea that we cut it down as although it appeared big and strong it was actually compromised and weak.  We just saved our house I am sure of it.

I also, had a moment...a reflection, a memory, I'm not sure.  Perhaps it was the smell of the freshly cut wood  and the gas from the power saw.  It took me back to when I was little and my Dad worked in the woods and would come home at the end of his days smelling just like that.  We would go out and stack wood after dinner until it got dark and talk and talk.  I was just as keen then as I am now for that pleasure and time with my own girl.

 So much wood, so much fun stacking it and building with it.  It was all I could do to keep her still until it was safe to get in there and play.

So, now I need to get digging!!  We have the sunniest front yard, perfect for growing tomatoes, sunflowers, and pole beans for starters.
Oh, and some where in the middle of all this I went to Halifax seed and bought bird feeders and houses and more plants!  I am beyond excited about this new space of ours!!

The Way We See the World

 A person waiting to go on the ferris wheel.

The sky, the sun, and an apple tree. 

The sky, the sun, and an apple tree. 

Children Know

Trusting Children to choose the work that is right for them, I roamed around the classroom the other day taking pictures of some of the work that the children were engaged in. I was struck by the many different ways that the children were practicing fine motor skills. Whether it was making cut out butterflies, coloring salt by grinding chalk into it, doing a metal inset or digging for dinosaur bones; these children were very absorbed in completing the tasks they had chosen. The children were all practicing fine motor skills and concentration but they were all doing it in different ways. If children can learn how to choose activities that challenge and interest them this will set them up for success later on.

Art in the classroom

 We have been doing a great deal of art in our classroom.  This spring we have been been doing art projects inspired by some great artists.  We did George Seurat style pointalism and collages in the tradition of Henri Matisse.

Some of our resources have been from wonderful children's books that we specially ordered to help us with our artistic adventures.  One of the books I most enjoyed is called, "Henri Matisse, Drawing with Scissors".  Others were, Chasing Degas, Picasso, Soul on Fire, Mary Cassatt Family Pictures, Katie and the waterlily Pond and Katie Meets the Impressionists just to name a few.  Children really love art and it really is amazing how they see things and how that transforms on paper with pencil, scissors or paint.

It's a great big world!

Many of the older children have been working on map projects.  It is a pretty big project that takes lots of patience and concentration.  What is even more wonderful is that many of the children can identify the continents and know that they live on the continent of North America.  I think we have some world travelers in the making. ~Ms. Melanie

Letting Go

 As you might have heard from the children, we released the butterflies on monday afternoon. Our original plan was to release them at St. Catharines butterfly garden but we noticed a few were very ready to experience the outside world. Once we told the children we were releasing them after lunch, they were very excited!  They all lined up outside on the sidewalk and ramp and watched Ms. Ana help the butterflies to the ground. We all observed them for a few minutes, then we let them have their space to explore their new home. When we arrived back from the playground the butterflies were gone, probably flying around looking for food! Having this life cycle occur in our classroom has brought up many great conversations, and the have learned to fully understand what happens. We have heard them explaining the life cycle to parents and also within their own little conversations while at the playground. "The caterpillar is turning into a butterfly in the chrysalis,"  is a statement we hear quite often! ~Ms. Stephanie

Butterflies and Maps

Just popping in to post a quick note.  As you can imagine things are over the top busy this week with our move into a new house and renos are going to start right away on our new space.  Although I am not here this week and now next, so much great work is happening.  The big children getting ready to leave us are working hard on their map projects and our Butterflies are emerging!  They are so lovely to watch and the children are enjoying them so much.   We will be releasing them next week because it is wrong to keep them any longer then we need to.  Take some time to check them out!

ANNOUNCING OUR WINNER FOR MAY------Free Range Kids!  You can pick up your Osha Mae gift bag of goodies from the teachers this week.
OUR LAST GIVEAWAY FOR THE YEAR AND FOR JUNE IS:  A night at the movies!!