Friday Community Centres...

I am continuously impressed with the creativity that comes out when the students get the opportunity to choose where they want to work during Centre time. Here are some things that came out of the arts and craft table this past Friday.

 How cute are these two puppets? The one on the bottom is pointing to say "That way!" A whole bunch of kids from the community got into making paper bag puppets last Friday. Wish I had gotten pictures of more of them. Sigh...

It's hard to tell but each of these small animals are about the size of a loonie. The two girls who made them worked very hard on them for the whole hour! The top one is even stuffed! I love that they love to sew! 

And I am still dreaming of finding a coffee table that I can use to do this. Know anyone who has one they want gone? I'll take it!!!! You'd think old coffee tables would be everywhere and, if I wanted IKEA tables, that would be the case. Unfortunately, I need a table that has a frame not just four legs screwed to a top (a la IKEA) and these older coffee tables are not quite so easy to find at the used furniture stores. But, never fear, I will keep looking!

Also, looks like we'll be getting two new big arts and crafts tables for our common area. The library just got new tables and I have snagged two of the old ones. One will be near the teacher's sink and paint supply area so that we can do more painting activities and the other will house the craft supplies (that are currently in my studio). I'd like to have just the sewing supplies in my studio (and, hopefully, a sewing table for group projects if I can just get my hands on the right kind of coffee table!!!!)

Honestly, there are days when I wish I could just teach arts and crafts all day long. Sigh...

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

One of my lovelies made this the other day at centres. He spent a LONG, LONG, LONG time working on it. When he was done, he went over to our support teacher, Miss Vanessa, and described in great detail  each part of the creation, what it was made from, how he made it etc. etc. 

Then, she asked him... "But...what is it? What do you call all of it? What is it a picture of?

His Answer: "A masterpiece."

Bless my heart! All I could think was that I hope he keeps on seeing himself as the creator of masterpieces for the rest of his life. We should all have such strong belief in ourselves.

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes 

Foto Friday

Hello friends!

Sorry there were no photos last Friday. To be perfectly frank, I was just glad to get through last week! I didn't take time to do anything other than what had to get done. It was a long, long, long (did I mention long?) week!!!!!

Anywho, here are some photos of the happenings in Division 13 lately!

We started using our math tubs for sorting activities. 

We learned a math facts game called Bump. This is the fall version with addition to 12.

There was lots of K'Nex love during centre time. Some of the kids are obsessed!!!!

We made applesauce in the slow cooker 

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

Most Awesome Sewing Idea...

So, having been asked by some of the students to create a sewing centre in our new school, I have been surfing around on the web and my favourite site, Pinterest, looking for inspiration. I found a teacher who has the most awesome sewing table in her room and, now, I want one!!!

Check this out...

This teacher has a table that she purchased (only now it is no longer being made or sold, gosh darn it!) that she calls her tapestry table.


from sewingschool

But this teacher has created her own version of a tapestry table (see below) and that is what I want to do in the new building. I need to get a better idea of how much room I will have for it but I love the idea and know that this class would enjoy it a lot. I am sure that I can scrounge up an old coffee table to use to make this.

 

 

 

 

I went today and picked up some needles with bigger eyes in both plastic and metal. The metal ones are all proper tapestry needles so they have the dulled points. I am really excited by this new idea. So, a big thank you to the two girls who put the sewing bug in my ear!!!

 

I am having visions of random tapestries and felt animal projects. This class is big on cuddle buddies. Maybe we need to each sew our own?!?! I know I'll be doing a shout out for sewing help over this year. Sure do hope that there are some sewing mamas and papas in this class!

 

Ms. Hughes