-Seth Godin, We are all weird
End of day game: Hide and Seek
How to play:
1. be the last two kids to be picked up
2. see teacher not looking at you
3. stage whisper, "Let's hide!"
4. cram in corner just out of sight of teacher
5. giggle and comment about how she will not find you because you are so sneaky
6. burst in to hysterical giggles when the teacher does see you and comments, "You two are as sneaky as a thunder storm."
7. take pride in being as sneaky as a thunder storm by repeating "Sneaky as a thunder storm" and giggling with a swagger
This game was played last year some time before September. I do not have a time stamp on when I made the note to myself. One of the two children involved in the play is still at the centre the other has moved on to Kindergarten. Moments like this, when children are their authentic selves, bring me the greatest joy. I know I did my job well that day.
I am always wanting to do more to let the children see their play/interactions/discoveries/creations. I collected images of their creations during Rest Time and made this for all of us to reflect.
The act of putting thing away in their assigned spots, you know so others can find them later. I was in a workshop this weekend and the facilitator said that we would retain 10% of what we learned. The idea of having a place for the large loose parts not just the small ones outside stuck, that everything needs a place. I have been meaning to make a better bag for my drumsticks. This weekend I did and here is the result.
Zipper so they will stay in. 
A patch from old work
jeans to personalize.
I believe that the school is a place for the children to express themselves, to be themselves, and see themselves. I believe that they have a role in the care and management of the space and equipment. When opportunities to put together a piece of equipment with the children arise I embrace them. I unboxed the light table with the children, showed them the assembly instructions. Assigned each child with a screw got to work. There were eight children and eight screws to hold the shelf together. As screws go in easier when wax is applied to the treads I asked the children to rub a crayon on the thread. Four wooden pegs also assisted in holding the table securely together. We used a wooden block to tap them in. The blocks were conveniently nearby on a shelf. In my bookbag I always carry a few tools, I had my multi head screwdriver. We were set. Here is some of the play that happened after setting up the light table.
They use the drumsticks from my book bag. I have modified them again, adding fabric to the ends. The sound is harsh for my ears, wood on wood, so I dampen the sound. I have changed the materials so the children can still be as energetic as they need to be with their colliding of object to object. At first they are tapping on objects. Then they use the sticks to transport and shift objects as well as create sound. The objects become part of the percussion instrument they are creating and exploring. Then three of the boards become a sign to warn of danger, it is a construction site.
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| Working out how to hold the sticks. One hand or two? |
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| Trying a different block. |
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| Working together to create a song. |
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| The sign. Danger. Watch out! |
A drum set evolves using scrap wood that is placed on a mat atop of a table.
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| It is a computer drum. |
Chalk is used to transform the wood and the mat.
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| Another section is set up mimicking the "computer drum" |
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| More children join and the set expands and evolves. |