England ~ We built a phone box!

 
An idea that blossomed into a crazy phonebox/beanstalk/flowers-everywhere kind of structure!

 Playing with the pies was a clever activity for the class. Of course, they couldn't really get their heads around the idea of a 3 dimensional unit to hold the doors, but that wasn't really the point.

This activity encouraged team work, fine motor skills and a lot of conversation combined with imagination.

What started out as a phone box, became a house with different rooms! There was even a room for dancing! Everyone was happy!

  The pub in Notting Hill and the phone box were the favourites of the class!

England...again! This time with attitude!

We started the month with our flag..this time, making it a l'il bit Banksy!!!

The painting was the easy part - the kids are used to that!

For the silhouettes, the teachers took A4 pictures with cool poses, cut out and the class each painted over their shadow!! Nice work everyone!!

Bath Bombs!

So, at work, I guess I am very lucky. I get to work in a wonderful, Reggio Emilia inspired school, which is basically a dream come true. The children are the leaders in their own learning, and I just guide them on their way! 

During the first month at the school, the theme was England. which was very appropriate for me!  We put places, animals, historical monuments on our big map and made anything from Stonehenge, Roses, bath bombs and a massive castle project that will continue for a few more themes too.

The finale was our bath bomb making session, putting the famous LUSH on the map (which the kids, aged 4-6 knew and told me was in Japan too! The power of advertising!)

I followed a simple recipe with corn starch , baking soda, salt, some squirts of food colouring and essential oil ...oh, and lots of kids helping me!

  The finished product ended up looking and smelling so good! It was certainly a great way to end a theme!

Castle!

One of the first challenges I faced at the new job, was when my boss suggested building a castle!! My vision had been plain and more 2D....I should have realised that the bigger the better and I have set a precedent for future projects now too...(Looking forward to them..!)

We decided to build a castle for the England theme, although now we have overlapped into the next theme of Spain...not a problem!

We have five towers, add some small domes and it becomes MontJuic in Barcelona! Phew.. I have even made some tickets, to remind them and to use wisely!

One of the concepts of the Reggio approach is getting the students to work together on big projects. It creates an instant sense of teamwork, involvement and any ideas contributed get put into the final concept.

From this...

For example, I am hedging my bets on this not being a regular brown or even grey castle...we have had requests for rainbow towers and the like...! And, why not! After all, this is their work, not mine...I am just making sure there is paint in the pots for them to use!

To this.....

...with lots of this......

...and many times this!!

tickets!

Finishing up!

 And there is the rainbow...!

Proving that the Reggio concept is colourful, rewarding and FUN!!!