PIP

2014 Classroom Tour Blog Hop!

One of my very favorite pieces of being a blogger is the opportunity to collaborate and work with other folks in the field. Today, I am joining in on a virtual classroom tour blog hop!

[caption id="attachment_997" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The children love to make forts with all of the loose parts in our outdoor classroom.[/caption]

This hop was the brain child of Katie over at Preschool Inspirations.  One of my favorite things to do when I am on the road presenting is to have time to visit other programs. I learn so much from the little touches and individuality of each place! It is fantastic to see how different people organize supplies and set up their learning spaces. So, of course I wanted in on the action when Katie mentioned the idea of a virtual tour, a blog hop of classrooms.... of course I said "YES!"

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Here is an older photo from our mudpie kitchen. It looks basically the same now, but a bit more worn! (Click on the photo to go to the original post about this)[/caption]

I've been working to pull together some updated information about our space to share.... Please remember that we are a work in progress and our space is quite dynamic with many changes currently in progress.  (There are seriously NEVER enough hours in a day!) I thought I would remind you of some of our somewhat static features in addition to adding a few photos of areas I have not yet blogged about.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Here is our Sand and Water Wall- It still looks basically the same, but we have coated it in a variety of different paints. To read more about this -- click on the photo to my original post![/caption]

A few things about our program if this is your first time visiting the blog. We are a home based childcare program, licensed in the state of Michigan as a group home. This means that we are able to care for up to twelve children at any given time. Our license allows us to care for children from birth to aged 12. The range of children varies-- as many of the children  start with us at an early age and remain a part of our program even after they head off to school. We operate Monday -Friday from 6 am until 6 pm. Our program focuses on a play based emergent curriculum with plenty of time spent outdoors in our ever growing outdoor classroom! Our primary caregivers consist of myself (Ms. Amy) and my husband (Mr. Allan). So... remember, at the end of the day-- This is our home!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Here is an older photo of our outdoor music area. We are in the process of updating this area, but it still looks quite similar. Our banging post needs an overhaul-- but everything else is still functioning! Again, click on the photo to visit the original post.[/caption]

Here are a few photos I took this past weekend of areas of our yard I have not shared much about.... and changes in progress:



Our outdoor chalkboard strips were recently repainted as the original blue paint was quite weathered and worn out! They are now a charcoal grey. Click on the photo for the original post.

After visiting the Roseville Community Preschool and attending the Good Stuff for Kids Conference, I decided to "Bosify" the outdoor classroom. I decided to paint the strips opposite the chalkboard strips with some colors and add inspiring quotes to the space. In all honesty-- I have a number of the strips painted, but this is the only one that is complete with a quote. We will get there eventually, and for your reference the Good Stuff for Kids Conference is probably one of the most amazing conferences that I have ever been to!



We also have a number of raised bed gardens in our outdoor space. We made them with cinder blocks. The children are great caretakers of the garden beds, and they love to help harvest the fresh fruits and vegetables. I don't have any photos of our most recent additions-- 5 fruit trees that were planted this summer to include peaches, pears, apples, cherries, and plums! We look forward to many bountiful harvests!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="506"] It is late in our growing season, so you will notice many empty squares where various things have been harvested. You will also notice that we have both raspberries and strawberries. The raspberries are thorn-less, ever-bearing and yellow! (One of the children's favorite treats!)[/caption]

We have a number of other works in progress in the yard at the moment....

[caption id="attachment_960" align="aligncenter" width="168"] This is going to be our "liloc cove" We had the center of the bush cut out so that we can build a hideaway fort for the children in the center. It is a work in progress-- if we do not complete it before the snow comes it will be high on our priority list for next spring![/caption]

We also had two of our other bushes pruned to open them up for cozy hideaways underneath. One of them is complete with cedar wood chips and the other will be finished this week when the wood chips are added.





If you are looking for more information about our outdoor classroom and the journey we have been undertaking, feel free to search the archives as there are many posts in regard to the spaces we have been working to create!

Now-- Let's head on inside for a few photos.... Most of these photos explain themselves.....

The first thing you see when you come through the door are the children's cubbies:

[caption id="attachment_1009" align="aligncenter" width="166"] As you can see-- these are currently a work in progress as well. We opted to cut them down and add a few more... So, they are together but are in need of a paint touch up! (Maybe next weekend......)[/caption]

We have a number of pets in our classroom too..... a dog named Scooby, a bearded dragon named Jake, a turtle named Bowser and a veiled chameleon named Cameron.  Scooby spends most of her time upstairs or on the stairs overlooking the classroom. The other critters have habitats scattered throughout the space. We also have a rather large (20 long) aquarium for our feeder crickets and a big meal worm farm. All of our reptiles eat crickets and worms daily.





 





Here are a few other highlights from our space-- the pictures somewhat speak for themselves:







You may also be interested in the previous posts: A tinkering place and Create an Art Station

[caption id="attachment_983" align="aligncenter" width="168"] Our ever evolving dress up.....[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_981" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Our block corner/area[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_980" align="aligncenter" width="168"] Our indoor music wall/area[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_979" align="aligncenter" width="168"] Our only adult chair in the space next to our forward facing IKEA spice rack book shelves.[/caption]

Well-- that gives you at least a glimpse into our learning space. (I know there is more to share, but I'll save some of that for later!)  Thank you for joining us on our online virtual tour-- Now, hop on over and check out a few other classrooms who have opened their doors to you today too:

Classroom Tour Blog Hop Environments:

Katie at Preschool Inspirations
Jamie at Play to Learn Preschool
Darla at The Preschool Toolbox
Sheryl at Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Amy at Child Central Station (that's me!)
Mary Catherine at Fun-A-Day
Deborah at Teach Preschool

 I know I've been away from the blog for months. Life keeps happening, and as much as I love to share things with you here, I am many things before I am a blogger. One must have priorities! I thought about giving up on blogging completely, but have opted to keep the blog live and to get here now and again when I can .....even if that means I am not posting regularly. Until next time.... Hopefully sooner rather than later ~Amy
YannGarPhoto (Where are the stats??) via photopin cc

Just Playing? With Tires!

We are getting more snow, 9-14" inches are predicted for today.  So, instead of showing you some recent photos, I am thinking spring and summer- warm thoughts in hopes of the positive energy sending some our way soon! One of our favorite loose parts in the yard are our tires!

Welcome to the weekly "Just Playing?" Blog Hop hosted here at Child Central Station. If this is your first week joining us- you may wish to learn more by visiting the "Just Playing?" landing page. 

Last week- we looked at some spring mud! I have updated the post to include additional insights into the learning that took place during the play. You can see the revised post here.

 

Now on to this week's photos:

 We may be "just playing", but....

What are the children doing here?

What do you see?

What learning is taking place?

What skills are being practiced/developed?

This post is part of the "Just Playing?" Blog Hop!

Thank you for remembering that young children do not "just play." Young children play. They develop through play. They learn through play. They experiment through play. They grow through play. A child's work is play. Play is important!

Please take a moment to reflect upon the photos and questions above. I would love for you to share your observations in a comment. I'd also like to invite you to "hop" on over to all of the other bloggers who are sharing photos of children learning through play this week:

If you are looking for more of our “Just Playing?” posts and resources from around the globe, please visit our Pinterest Board.

Are you a blogger? Would you like to join the JUST PLAYING? blog hop community?

You can join the hop via our Facebook Group: Just Playing?

or please contact Amy from Child Central Station for more information.

 

Just Playing? In the Spring Mud!

The weather around here is finally starting to look like spring might be around the corner! Snow is melting!!!!!!! The beautiful part of this time of year is that the ground is still quite frozen, so our yard turns into wonderful spring mud puddles! There is nothing quite like playing in the spring mud!

Welcome to the weekly "Just Playing?" Blog Hop hosted here at Child Central Station. If this is your first week joining us- you may wish to learn more by visiting the "Just Playing?" landing page. 

Last week- we looked at some more mud play on the swing! I have updated the post to include additional insights into the learning that took place during the play. You can see the revised post here.

Now on to this week's photos:

 We may be "just playing", but....

What are the children doing here?

What do you see?

What learning is taking place?

What skills are being practiced/developed?

This post is part of the "Just Playing?" Blog Hop!

Thank you for remembering that young children do not "just play." Young children play. They develop through play. They learn through play. They experiment through play. They grow through play. A child's work is play. Play is important!

Please take a moment to reflect upon the photos and questions above. I would love for you to share your observations in a comment. I'd also like to invite you to "hop" on over to all of the other bloggers who are sharing photos of children learning through play this week:

If you are looking for more of our “Just Playing?” posts and resources from around the globe, please visit our Pinterest Board.

Are you a blogger? Would you like to join the JUST PLAYING? blog hop community?

You can join the hop via our Facebook Group: Just Playing?

or please contact Amy from Child Central Station for more information.

 

Hello Mud!: Just Playing?

There is nothing quite like spring mud and puddles-- the first true signs of spring! (Although the forecast calls for more snow around here). We love the slushy, muddy, spring puddles! This puddle was conveniently located right under the swing!

Welcome to the weekly "Just Playing?" Blog Hop hosted here at Child Central Station. If this is your first week joining us- you may wish to learn more by visiting the "Just Playing?" landing page. 

Last week- we looked at children playing with balloons! I have updated the post to include additional insights into the learning that took place during the play. You can see the revised post here.

Now on to this week's photos:

 We may be "just playing", but....

What are the children doing here?

What do you see?

What learning is taking place?

What skills are being practiced/developed?

This post is part of the "Just Playing?" Blog Hop!

Thank you for remembering that young children do not "just play." Young children play. They develop through play. They learn through play. They experiment through play. They grow through play. A child's work is play. Play is important!

Please take a moment to reflect upon the photos and questions above. I would love for you to share your observations in a comment. I'd also like to invite you to "hop" on over to all of the other bloggers who are sharing photos of children learning through play this week:

If you are looking for more of our “Just Playing?” posts and resources from around the globe, please visit our Pinterest Board.

Are you a blogger? Would you like to join the JUST PLAYING? blog hop community?

You can join the hop via our Facebook Group: Just Playing?

or please contact Amy from Child Central Station for more information.

Colorful Snow Volcanoes!

 

Eruptions are always a hit around here, so with the warmer weather we decided to spend some time melting some snow with our colorful snow volcanoes!

First, we gathered some snow to created our volcanoes. Then while the children chose their squeeze bottle, I sprinkled baking soda on the snow......

The squeeze bottles were filled with vinegar, water, and a couple drops of food coloring.  The perfect combination of erupting fizz!!! (You can also add a bit of dish soap for a bubbly fizz).

After the children melted their volcanoes, they decided to just add color to the bin of snow:

Although the parking pad has melted, our yard is still full of piles of snow and we are expected to see more snow fall this weekend.  We sure did enjoy the thaw and the sunshine today though!

If you enjoyed these eruptions, you might also enjoy some of our other explorations with vinegar and baking soda:

Preschool Chemistry

Giant Volcano

More Than Just Volcanoes

Blowing the Cork

Have you been playing outside? We'd love to hear about it!