Water Colour Greetings - Mailbox Surprises

It is so wonderful when a child's piece of art work warms someone's heart or brightens someone's day.  Before Christmas, the children made water colour paintings to mail out to a special relative or friend.

This was a particularly joyful activity.  The children were excitedly creating their masterpieces while recalling wonderful memories of someone who has made an imprint on their heart.

We heard stories of Christmas mornings and special moments with family.  Children spoke of unique traditions. We included and envelope with the paintings so that these Water Colour Greetings could become a mailbox surprise for someone special.  

We hoped to receive a return letter from those that received one of the children's pieces.  Well, you can imagine our joy when the children began coming to school with the letters they received!  They have been coming from so many places and so many very special people!

 We have been sharing these wonderful letters with the friends.

A letter from Carson's grandmother with a photo of a snowman sparked an interest in the video called "The Snowman". So Mrs. Brent showed the friends the video on her laptop. The children loved the music.  

Since we've been talking about different ways to tell stories, it was very interesting to see how a story can be told without words.  The Snowman is tells a story with pictures and music.  The stage became a mini theater.

We can't wait to receive more letters. We are all so excited to hear of the ways our children's Water Colour Greetings touched the lives of those who received them. 

Picking Up The Pieces (Lego Pieces That Is)!

Thomas Edison said, "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."  He didn't know about Lego!  

A happy pile of Lego waiting to be made whole!

The children dig deep into the sensory bin filled with the Lego that Mrs. Pizzuto's son used when he was young.  They feel the familiar plastic pieces that their parents and grandparents built with.  Some are in search of the tiny piece with only one dot, while others need the long piece for the blade of their helicopter.  Rocket ships, flying boats, cities, cars, planes, cranes...  Oh how the day flies while the children build and tell us of their latest invention or creative structure!

The wonderful world of Lego invites our children to do more than play.  Learning is literally at their fingertips!

Joshua writes about his 'police ship'.  Dmitri signs a letter to Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, the CEO of Lego.  Jack is sure that he is the best Lego builder ever.

"That's why he is the boss!"

Ireland and Addison make pictures to send with the letter while a group of boys put the finishing touches on their city.

The children talk about, plan, build, pattern and even measure with Lego!

Playing with Lego means critical thinking, fine motor, sharing, problem solving, balance, math, trial and error... 

 ... 3-dimensional planning and building, organizing, sorting, 

cause and effect...

... story telling, teamwork, creativity, spatial reasoning ...

... Oh the learning that comes from playing with Lego.  

Thomas Edison would have to agree that a 'pile of Lego' is a wonderful way to invite the children to not only learn well, but also to 'leg godt' .  Play Well children... play well and learn!