Clay Hanukkiahs

The children have been working on their hanukkiahs during art class. 

First, the children rolled out the clay. They measured it with a ruler to make sure it is the correct size. Then, they flattened clay and cut it out with a cookie cutter. The final decision for the day was if they wanted their shamash in the middle or on the side.  Mrs. Fellegy added the holes for the candles and baked in the kiln.

Today, the children glazed the hanukkiahs. They will go back in the kiln to be fired.

Indiana Learning Foundations

APL3.1: Demonstrate development of sustained attention and persistence

CA3.2: Demonstrate creative expression through visual art production

PHG3.1: Demonstrate development of fine and gross motor coordination

M5.2: Understand measurement through description and comparison

Loose Parts Self Portraits and Names

Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. Loose parts can be used alone or combined with other materials. There is no set of specific directions for materials that are considered loose parts. The child is the direction. 

Loose parts play is a type of play that supports invention, divergent thinking, problem solving and offers a sense of wonder to children. It is a label given to any collection of natural or man-made materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways to expand upon children’s play. (Kart, Nudel, https://playactioninternational.org/, The Importance of Child-Directed Play, May 2021, https://playactioninternational.org/news/the-importance-of-child-directed-play/).

The children created their self portraits and names using loose parts today during our large group time.

Indiana Learning Foundations:

SC4.1: Demonstrate engineering design skills

APL1.1: Demonstrate initiative and self-direction

M4.2: Exhibit ability to identify, describe, analyze, compare, and create shapes

SC6.2: Demonstrate algorithmic thinking and debugging

APL2.1: Demonstrate development of flexible thinking skills during play

APL3.1: Demonstrate development of sustained attention and persistence