Investigating Ice - Curiosity & Wonder

 

We all know the movie Frozen, but what is the concept of Frozen really about?

 

A bucket of ice with layers of coloured pebbles  was created  as a provocation for the children’s exploration and thinking:

The children have been introduced to a scientific aspect of Frozen which has led to children using their senses to explore blocks of ice and an attempt at making snow. 

The children have enjoyed exploring the ice and they have developed a sense of curiosity and wonder as they watch it melt and estimating how long it will take to melt away.

The children have a sense of playfulness and being involved; touching it, picking it, and redecorating it with the pebbles picked out, using all their senses - hearing the cracking, feeling the cold and the texture, and seeing the beauty as some children look deeper into the ice and immerses their hands in the glitter…. What about tasting?  Oh yes… you cant help but want to taste it.

 

Lucia -    It looks like Elsa’s powers!

Matilda -  My hands are freezing!  These are like crystals

Its cracking cause its turning into water and it is slippery.

- Erin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloe -    It is cold when I go ice skating and skiing

Lila -       I went there too, I skiied on the ice

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Erin and Tiana see the beauty of the ice and choose to embellish the ice with the stones which are falling out once the ice is a little melted.  Some children discover it is easy to just pick the stones out to get to them quicker.

 

 

 

Finley -    Its not an iceburg… its an ice cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tayla -    When its cold it doesn't melt and when its hot, real hot, it does melt.

 

 

 

 

Oscar -     Ice is cold… really cold, aye.

 

 Lets make snow!

 

We found a recipe for making foaming snow on the internet which supported our Frozen interest perfectly.

You can make it at home!

2/3rds can of budget shaving foam
cup of baking soda
lots of blue glitter
....just add white vinegar  and watch the magic happen

Everybody shares and takes turns at adding ingredients and stirring.

 

Lets just make sure we got the recipe right!

 

... and we may as well finish off the last of the shaving foam... the foamier, the better!!

 

 

Who can resist putting your hands in ... a little messy play!

 

An opportunity for more creative drawing!

 

 Everybody finds the joy in discovering ice and snow!

 

 

Documented by Leanne   August 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 'Tiger Slug' in our Wild Area

Boston discovered a ‘tiger slug’ down in the wild area.  In no time we had magnifying glasses to examine this beautiful creature.  I asked, “why do you think it is called a Tiger Slug?”  Boston quickly responded, “’cause I can see black stripes” “Yeah, like a tiger” added Hayley.

 

We watched it’s feelers stretch and quickly shrink back, it moved it’s way slowly around the cable reel and eventually found it’s way back into the hole It obviously came out of and curled back up – “for a snore” Boston commented.

 

We explored the internet to discover Slugs are nocturnal and a detrivore (an organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter).  Plus other interesting facts.

 

Documented by Karen

 

 

Frozen whips up a snow storm at Kindergarten!

 The interest in Frozen has whipped up a snowstorm at Kindergarten with the popular music playing over and over and groups of children appearing from nowhere to join in the singing and dancing. 

It all began with  Izzy and Annabelle (who have moved up to school) and Ruby,

As soon as the movie Frozen came out at the theatres we started to hear girls singing choruses of the song ‘Let it go’ around the kindergarten. We were very impressed with some wonderful singing particularly from Ruby, Izzy and Annabel and we were frequently serenaded by them with the chorus from the movie.  The three girls found some long flowing shimmery voile material and danced around the kindergarten and on many occasions the girls would stand together with arms wide open singing their hearts out with such dramatic exuberance in their expressions and dance movements. 

 

And now the craze has continued with our children belting out the four most popular songs at the tops of their lungs... you cant help but join in!

 

 

                                                            Isabella and James in a duet

 

 

 

The Teachers are all discussing what learning is happening here and what is it that has given this current interest the rise that it has had?  Is it the joy of being a performer, an actor or a singer? Or is it the music?

 

Hayley and Isabella role play their favourite characters 

 Hayley and Isabella with their shimmering capes act out the parts of Elsa and Anna

 

Hayley plays Anna "Do you want to play?

Isabella plays Elsa, "Stay away! I'm trying to protect you!"

 

Hayley dances away just as Anna would in the movie.

 

The music very is dramatic. It changes the mood and therefore is a guide into the complexities of emotions. Combining the dress up, music, dance and drama, you cannot help but be drawn into the feelings within this story.  The children are learning about sadness, excitement, love, kindness and happiness.  These are opportunities for us as teachers to support their understanding about what is happening for Anna and Elsa and how to build the language skills and resilience to cope with these feelings.

Karen is really getting it the swing of things - Tobias (left) not so much

But most of all we just want to enjoy it, feel it, and dance… dance...dance!

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, a few of the boys have really enjoyed the music, but in a different way....

 

Who let the dogs out?

Our boys have also had their musical interest, but with a few less dramatics and more instruments

 

Boston is quite the drummer with a very good rhythm and he is often joined by Zane, Solomon and Zac

 

 

 

 

James frequently asks for the Bob the Builder music and just loves singing along as he watches the stereo

 

 

Documented by Leanne