Architecture

Here are a few highlights of the Architecture Unit:

-An architectural tour of the old and new wings of the U-M Art Museum led by Imogen.

-A trip to the U-M School of Architecture to see first hand what an architect does.

-Reading books about architecture, including the book "Lost Ann Arbor", that showed a photo of an Octagon House that was torn down to build Hill Auditorium.

-Watching "Bill Nye the Science Guy:Architecture" video and a video that showed how an addition is put on a house, from the architectural drawings to putting new sod in the front lawn after the addition was complete..

But, by far my favorite activity, was creating our own architectural master piece. We recycled our in-room " cave" into a majestic domed roof edifice, supported by columns.

Next month, we will be doing a author study. I have chosen the author Daniel Pinkwater to study. In choosing an author for study I try to find one that has written both picture and chapter books. Mr. Pinkwater has written a plethora of both types of books. I am sure the children will have numerous favorite Daniel Pinkwater books by the end of the month.

If...then...

How can this be math?

The children aren't sitting at tables with their math books? It looks more like movement activity?

It is actually both math [logic], and dance.

It is a logic activity created by Jesse.

Jesse wrote down instructions on slips of paper and each child was given a note with their personal instructions. As examples each note included a different instruction such as "Dance" "Hug people", "If someone touches you, fall down", "If and only if someone touches you, jump."

The children read their slips, and performed the action until Jesse said, "stop".

The audience had to guess what the "dancers" were doing.

You could see the wheels turning in their brains as they analyzed the "dance" trying to determine what each slip of paper may have said.

Thank you to Sydney and Karen for all the fixings to make a very special valentine's celebration.

Cake boxes and stickers that became valentine's mailboxes

Frames and gems.

Cookies, icing, and sprinkles.

Everyone had a great day.

Art Museum Architecture

Thank you to Imogen for taking her day off from teaching to be our tour guide at the U-M Art Museum. Imogen started the tour in the old wing of the museum where she pointed out the diffused light, the round, tapered columns with decorative tops, and the curved shape of the room (the apse). Then we moved to the the new wing where we had windows to look through, to see a sculpture outside, and long straight columns, and straight walls.

Puppets for Haitian children

As you may recall from Joanna's email, Caroline Richarson, Max's mother, is trying to go down to Haiti as a member of a U-M medical team. Caroline said she would be able to bring a few small, light things with her to give to children in the hospital.

Today, I talked to our class about what we could do. I suggested paper bag puppets since they had enjoyed the ones they made so much. All the children agreed it was a fabulous idea. While they were creating the puppets we discussed what kind of things might cheer up you up if you were in the hospital. They decided they shouldn't be scary but should be funny. As you can see from the photo, the puppets are full of smiles, hearts, stars, and cheer.