Picasso and Mozart

 This month we studied Picasso's The Three Musicians. When asked what they noticed about this picture students said they liked the shapes. Some noticed the musical notes on the page. Others found it funny that circles could look like eyes. Some liked the colorful triangles. After noticing all the different shapes we could find around our classroom, we used shapes to create our own artwork.

We also used our bodies this past week to create many different shapes. We used our sense of hearing to listen to Moving with Mozart, a series of fun movement activities. After moving carefully following instructions, children were able to branch out and move anyway the music made them feel and to make the shapes we had found in the classroom with their bodies. We will repeat similar exercises throughout the year to help us understand concepts such as shape, size, high and low, fast or slow, etc. We will even use music as we explore adjectives ("Show me a heavy shape" or "Show me a sparkly shape").

You may choose to look at more artwork and listen to more music by the artists we discuss with your child at home. You can find artwork using google images or check your library. A great resource I like to use for classical music is classicsforkids.com. This site has activities and links to listen to musical selections. It is important to note that while we may discuss an artist or musician’s history, background and techniques, we do not expect children to memorize this information. We are not attempting to force children into artistic genius. Our goal is simply to expose children to great music and art and to utilize the work of the masters in teaching other important concepts.

Practical Life

We began our year focusing on skills needed each day in our classroom, such as rolling a rug, carefully moving and pushing in a chair, and handling materials so carefully we never hear them bump or bang. Throughout the year we learn and practice what Maria Montessori called practical life skills.  It's fun to see our students' focus and excitement as they master these skills. Children are encouraged to be independent and care for themselves. Children serve themselves snack and pour themselves glasses of water in our classroom. You may choose to encourage these activities at home. We like to keep a low shelf stocked with dishes and utensils, baskets filled with snacks, small canisters of cereal and a small pitcher of milk in the fridge in our home to encourage children to serve themselves if they choose. Children gain a sense of self-confidence and excitement as they discover that they are capable of accomplishing such tasks without assistance. This confidence will be vital to all other learning: children who develop confidence in their own abilities are self-motivated to learn.

Meet Gracie

Gracie is 3 years old and is really excited to start school.  She loves dresses, singing, dancing and swimming, her favorite things to do are play with her brother and her puppy and the best thing about summer was playing outside and making new friends!

Meet Blake

This is Blake's second year in pre-school but this year he is especially excited about working with new friends.  Blake loves to laugh and has a great sense of humor.  He loves to sing, play with cars, and ride bikes with his brother.

Meet Logan

Logan is so excited that he is finally 4!  Logan loves riding his bike, playing with his brother Blake, and asking questions about math.  He loves to talk to anyone who will listen and has been waiting all summer to make new friends at school.

Meet Miss Ashley

Miss Ashley received first her Bachelor's degree and then her Master's degree from Utah State University in Folklore and American Studies. She has worked with several elementary schools and middle schools, developing, teaching and directing after-school and cultural programs. Miss Ashley has also developed educational programs for different community and educational organizations, including the American West Heritage Center in Logan Utah and various arts councils in western New York. While attending graduate school, Ashley taught several courses for the univeristy's English department. Miss Ashley loves to teach and has been learning how from her mother since she founded Shining Stars Preschool 19 years ago. This will be Ashley's 4th year directing Shining Stars. Miss Ashley loves to cook, Irish dance, read, water color, and play with her boys.

Beginnings

We've made it through our first week and our students are well on their way to becoming acquainted with new friends. This week has been all about introductions and becoming comfortable in our classroom. During these first weeks children are learning to move carefully and deliberately, to use careful hands and feet, and to respect their classmates and our classroom. As children relax and gain a sense of ownership in their work their confidence will increase and we will be on our way to developing a lifelong love of learning!