Squeeze it, Squish it, Wet it......

 Our study of trees has evolved into a discussion about forests. Today, the children had the opportunity to use clay and create animals, trees, etc. for our growing forest. They used popsicle sticks to smooth the clay and make lines,  their hands to make ridges,  and their imaginations to tell us about the  caves, rocks, bores, monsters, and porcupines that live in the forest. Tomorrow the clay will return for Act II.

How do you make a tree?

 During morning meeting, we discussed what we needed to make a tree. We needed "wood, branches, scotch tape, and glue." We went outside to look more closely at tree bark . The  bark felt, "bumpy" and the rubbings made lines on the paper. Some children created tree drawings. We looked in the  sky to see the different types of trees . Our research laid the foundation for our Tree Project!

Multi-Step Art!

Creating self-portraits is a two step process. Although the Etzim class has explored creating self-portitis as a full group. On Thursday, I sat down with two or three children at a time and talked through the self-portrait creation process.  Many narrated as they drew and I took notes that are documented on their final products. After they completed the sharpie phase they took their drawing to the watercolor table and added and extra layer. The result were beautiful port drawings that each child was proud of! Although not every Etzim child has not finished their portraits there are many on display upstairs across the hall from their classroom. Check them out!

Way Up High in the Apple Tree...

 

A couple of weeks ago, the Keshet class started what turned into a multi-day project to make a class tree.  The children worked on the leaves of the tree using green markers and crayons and even glue and tissue paper squares.  We made the leaves more colorful by adding "fall colored" tissue paper as well--yellow, red orange.  Today we worked on the trunk of the tree using markers, crayons and Bingo markers.  We attached the leaves to the trunk, hung it up on the wall and introduced the tree during our circle time.  We all got up and sang the song "Way up High in the Apple Tree"at circle in honor of our class tree.

                                    

An act of kindness

 Today, Lilah created a headband with   hole punchers and staples. Many children were  intrigued by her fashion statement and  asked for help. Lilah told us that she would make a headband for anyone  who asked. At one point, she  said, "Oh no, there's no more paper" and  we replenished the supply. The last hat was made for Jack and it was gently placed on his head  by the artist.

Who am I?

 Throughout the year we will use different mediums for children to explore the concept of self-portrait. For the first self portrait of the year, children were simply asked to "draw what you see in the mirror." As they began the task, there was delighful dialogue about the ways the face was constructed. For example, one child said, "I better attach the ears", someone else  noted their curly hair and proceeded to make squiggles over the page.  The marks on the page reflected the discovery of the parts of a face!

Harper's Birthday

    
The past 2 days, the children decorated Harper's birthday hat. Today, Kristina carefully tied the masterpiece onto Harper's head and we lit the candles in our foam cupcake, sang and celebrated a special day for Harper!

Creation!

 







Rabbinic Intern Liz Piper Goldberg entered the classroom and Drew said, "What's that word that means  awesome?" Liz reminded the class of the word "sobbaca"She   asked questions about planting and then children decorated pots and planted zinnia     seeds. Please  let us know when your seeds grow!

 

An empty table at the art center was all that was needed for  children to create hearts, books, and stickers!

Madison, Nathan, and Drew worked and worked until  the puzzle was done.!

Preparing for the Auction!

Today the children sketched/drew insects with black markers and then painted them with water colors.   Some chose to draw freehand and others looked at pictures from the WORLD OF INSECTS BOOK and sketched an insect or bug.  Their drawings are amazing!  Caterpillars, butterflies, beetles worms and bees!  Tomorrow we will paint the chair, and the last step will be to glue the drawings on the chair with modge podge.

Power Tools

Today Haifa lunch bunch had a chance to use an electric screw driver as they assisted Ellen in putting together a very cool bench made from a tree. It was loud and fun and it got us thinking about what we could make from trees we find in the woods...more to come...