Namaste!

Namaste, a greeting that is still commonly used in India and on the trail of the Nepal Himalaya. It means:

"The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you" or "My spirit honors your spirit".

Earlier in the week I shared with you that we "traveled" to Asia in our quest for learning about Art Around The World.

You can see the beautiful, colorful paper lanterns symbolizing hope, goodness and thankfulness hanging from the loft in our Exploratorium.

The children also enjoyed creating Diwali Alpanas designs by cutting shapes in paper and using colored sand to fill in the negative spaces. Take a look. These beautifies will also be showcased in our Exploratorium as we transform it with art from each of the seven continents.  The creativity and thought in this process was boundless.

Another exciting adventure this week was the celebration of Chinese New Year.  The children enjoyed singing songs with our wonderful music teacher, Mrs. McIvor. They also collaboratively worked to create an amazing paper Chinese dragon, the symbol of power, strength and good luck for the new year ahead.  Along with the talented Mrs. McIvor we had a very special visitor,a Chinese student from the Upper Division, join the children in a parade around the ECC, spreading smiles and good luck to all who watched.

Using black paint on red paper, for luck, the children painted the chinese symbol for HOPE.

We couldn't let the culinary arts be left out this week in Asia!  The children made potstickers (Chinese dumplings) and enjoyed fresh veggies from our garden for snack on Friday. Lips were smacking and "yum's" were heard.  Many came back for second helpings!

We are all about recycling in Junior Kindergarten! The process of making paper was a great way to reuse those scraps of paper that would otherwise go to waste after projects using scissors, tearing, etc.  The children took old paper scraps in different colors, tore them into little pieces, added water and mixed them together in a blender.  Next, they poured the pulp mixture onto screens and pushed the water out.  The pulp smoothed out and once dried was a new colorful flecked paper which was sprinkled with flower seeds and can be planted in the garden to grow and renew the earth.  

We loved our time in Asia, but all good things must come to an end!  We are off to Antarctica for the beginning of the week.  Honestly, there's not a lot of art indigenous to that frigid continent.  In fact, I don't think there is any. LOL. Still, not wanting to leave any continent behind we have decided to take our learning in the direction of white sculptures, "snowy blowy" designs and, of course, penguins!  See what we come up with! It'll be good!
Later in the week we will travel to Africa! The children will enjoy all sorts of amazing activities and art from this continent and our Friday exploring will revolve around it. Join us if you can! 

Here's what's coming up in JK:
*DON'T FORGET the family sculptures for our Activity Day Museum/Cafe! :)

*February 26: Class Pictures (Please wear uniforms)
*February 28: Relay For Life Hot Dog Lunch
*March 1: Chill Lounge Gala (We have a really special painting up for auction!)
*March 7: Activity Day! Tye Dye shirts will be made on Friday, March 1 to be worn on Activity Day.

SPRING BREAK BEGINS MARCH 8!

Have a great week!

Hello! North America!

North American Art is plentiful!  However, we decided to enjoy some local art that is "sandtastic".  The children created original sand sculptures with the abundance of sand that is found in their own backyard of Florida beaches! Take a look!

See the fabulous finished designs in the Exploratorium alcove.

                    A Happy Valentine's Day!

The children had so much fun delivering and receiving their Valentine's on Thursday last week.  They were sharing the love!!

I think you have my heart! :)

As the children entered the room on Valentine's Day they were given a necklace laced with half a heart.  In the spirit of LOVE and learning the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, they were asked to find the friend who was wearing the other half to their heart.  Once the two halves made a whole each child told their friend something they liked about him/her and offered a special hug to share the love!

The children loved sharing their special valentine's with family and friends! It was a day full of smiles! A bunch of "thank you's" go out to all of you who were able to attend and help to make our day LOVELY last week.

                        All About ASIA

This week the Junior Kindergarten journeyed to Asia to learn about hope and goodness in art.

They made paper lanterns as a sign in our center of hope, goodness  and thankfulness, always.

The children folded paper, cut slits in the middle, opened and decorated the paper using all sorts of different media then folded again from the other end to create a lantern effect.  Later, they added streamers to the bottom to finish the design.  They are hanging in the Exploratorium now to make you smile with their bright colors and happy message of hope, goodness and thankfulness.


Keep an eye out for a slideshow of the children telling stories  about designs they made with Chinese tangrams during exploring centers.

We have a lot of exciting things going on in our early childhood center.  Pay us a visit and check it out! 

Don't forget Activity Day (March 7) is right around the corner.  Please send in your information sheet ASAP so we can plan and make it fabulous! 

Other Dates To Remember:
*February 26: Class Pictures (Please wear uniforms)
*February 28: Relay For Life Hot Dog Lunch
*March 1: Chill Lounge Gala (We have a really special painting up for auction!)
*March 7: Activity Day!

SPRING BREAK BEGINS MARCH 8!

Have a great week!

G'day Mates! Awa! Hola!

                               Art Around The World!

                                G'day From Australia!

Last week in Junior Kindergarten we boarded the "virtual" plane and traveled to Australia to celebrate the art of the Aborigine People.

"A" brought an authentic bumerang from Australia to share with the class.  Then she sat down and made her own!

The children learned about Ayers Rock, or Uluru as the Aborigine call this sacred place in Australia.

The Art of making music.......

Didgeridoos!

A didgeridoo is an Aboriginal instrument created from a large reed hollowed out by termites.  The children watched a youtube video of how they are made and played.  What fun it was to create our very own and play them together.

The Aborigine people are very spiritual and it shines through their artwork.  Many paintings are created to depict dreams and spiritual "adventures".  Some others are about animals and nature. Beautiful paintings designed by the Aborigine people are created using dots.  You can see dot art adorning boomerangs, rock, didgeridoos, wood, etc. This form of art is unique to the Aborigine people of Australia and has been recognized as such.  The unique, wonderful children in our class tried their hand (lol) at it.  Take a look!

Painting, using the end of a rounded stick just like the Aborigine People.

The children traced their hands using black sharpie markers then decorated them using the round end of a small stick (Q-tip swabs) dipped in paint.

South America

Later in the week we visited the rainforest in South America where the children saw the beauty of plants and vines and water flow together.  They practiced drawing and cutting out spirals to create the flow of a vine.  The transition was made from Australia to South America with the New Zealand art of Koru.  Koru is art inspired by the unfurling of a fern reaching into the light of a bright new day.  It represents hope and strength.

https://www.google.com/search?q=koru+art+for+kids&hl=en&tbo=u&rlz=1C1CHFA_enUS501US501&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=aD8RUaHEGLC-2AWPlYCIBw&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1706&bih=752

Visit the Early Childhood Center soon to see the amazing  work your children came up with when they experimented with this lovely Koru art. The Exploratorium is being transformed before our eyes as the world of art comes alive through projects and activities.  Journey with us!

This week the journey continues with celebrating art from North America.  The children will create sand sculptures, an acrylic painting, and make Mexican pinatas.

Planning for the GALA!

Get those paddles ready, Sunny Sea Friend Parents!
The Shorecrest GALA and silent auction is on March 1.  In the spirit of ART the children have been working on an original painting which will be on display on that festive night and up for auction.  Believe me....you will all want it!!! :)



Valentine's Day!

We are all looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day together.  The children are all smiles as they come to school with their special Valentines to share with their classmates.  Festive  mailbags were made last week and will house the cards as the children deliver them on Thursday.  Our JK party will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be Exploring style.  We have a lot of fun activities and games planned and would love your helping hands.  The children will also enjoy reading their Valentines along with you in the classrooms.  In honor of this happy day, the children may wear Valentine clothing on Thursday.  Pink, red and white colors or Valentine shirts with jean or uniform bottoms.

Have a LOVEly day!



DATES TO REMEMBER:

February 13th - 1pm "Little Engine That Could" theater (children only)

February 14th - Valentine's Day Party - Exploring Schedule - 9:30 start We will need a number of parents to read the valentines to the children.

February 15th - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

February 18th - President's Day Holiday

March 7th - JK Activity Day beginning at 8:45-lunch

So Much Excitement!

American Stage!

Last Monday we wrapped up a wonderful literary journey and author study with a trip to American Stage.  The children enthusiastically participated in acting warm-up activities, exploring the stage and set of "The Piano Lesson", discovering how costumes are made and characters are brought to life.  Stories take on a new meaning when they are brought to the stage.  The children love dramatic play and also will have the opportunity to work with a parent/teacher to bring original stories to life with play acting later this month.

visiting with the wardrobe mistress for the show "The Piano Lesson"

Where do those stairs go? Up and backstage! The children were fascinated! On the set of "The Piano Lesson"

Jazzin' it up!

If the children were bebopping, swinging, and doo-wapping this weekend it was because they had an exciting crash course in Jazz on Thursday.  The fourth grade production of "We Haz Jazz" really roused them and brought on lots of smiles and singing!
The Sunny Sea Friends haz jazz...oh yes we haz!!

Measuring up a great day!
The children revisited a special center from our earlier days in JK when they were younger and smaller too.  Because they have grown so much both socially/emotionally and physically over the course of the year, measuring the children's mid-year height, weighing them and presenting more opportunities for them to work with different tools for measurement and discovery was in order!

 Inch cubes for measuring height.

Balance and food scales for testing the weight of different objects and figuring out what to add or take away to balance the scales.

Sorting, graphing and counting. 

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!!!
The children were all smiles at the Shorecrest Pep Rally last week.  Go Chargers! Friends, past teachers, family and even Sparky came together for fun, laughter and cheer!

 The class made bracelets, necklaces, headbands and some even made signs to show their Charger Spirit!

E gives Sparky a big high five!!

T joined his daddy for smiles and spirit!

There are so many exciting things happening in Junior Kindergarten.  Each and every week brings new inquiries and investigations.  This week the children began a journey around the world to learn about ART and culture from each of the seven continents. We went "down under" to investigate Australian Aborigine Dot Art on Monday. Look for the ECC to be transformed with original art as the children explore, discover and create!  

Dates to remember:

February 7th Parents Conferences - No School - Vacation Club is available

February 8th No Exploring

February 14th - Valentine's Day Party - Exploring Schedule - 9:30 start We will need a number of parents to read the valentines to the children.

February 15th - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

February 18th - President's Day Holiday

March 7th - JK Activity Day beginning at 8:45-lunch

Have a GREAT week!!!