The Wheels are CIRCLE in Shape!
Driving on “Rough” Roads
In congruence with our theme on “Transportations in the City”, we drove vehicles on top of different textured roads. While most roads here in Tokyo are “smooth”, there may be instances wherein we may have to pass on difficult roads. To explore this experience, a sheet of bubble wrap, a mat of fake grass, and a tray of crumpled colored paper mixed with small wooden logs were laid out on a table for us to “drive” on.
E and N's eyes widened upon hearing a “crackling” sound when they drove cars on top of bubble wrap. Both of them noticed that the vehicles don’t move smoothly on bubble wrap as compared to when it is on top of a smooth surface. Why is that?
Forming Various Modes of Transportation using Foam Cut Outs
Together with Liezel, we formed various modes of transportation such as airplanes, boats, cars, and trains using foam cut outs. With a drawn template as a guide in forming the outer structure of a vehicle, the task was to arrange and fit in the correct type of foam cut out needed. After forming the basic structure, we let our imagination run free by adding details such as doors and windows.
E and K spent most of their Free Play period arranging foam cut outs and smiled brightly upon seeing the outcomes of their work! While doing so, they verbally identified colors and shapes which paved the way for others to hear and mimic what they were doing.
Outdoor Play
With the temperature rising, we are doing our outdoor play at an earlier time slot so that we won’t be under the sun at its strongest. For a change, we went to visit a nearby temple with a vast open spaced area for us to run around. L enjoyed picking up loquats that fell on the ground. All of us had to be wary of where we step or we could accidentally step on a loquat which would make the soles of our shoes sticky!
At one point, we gathered in a circle under the big and tall gingko tree and counted all the loquats we managed to gather. N got excited when the last loquat was counted and threw the loquats like confetti! Hooray, we counted all the loquats!
Aside from picking up loquats, we went around the temple grounds and strengthened our gross motor skills by hopping and jumping on large rocks… avoiding stepping on the soil!
Circle Time
To begin our Circle Time, we danced to “More Than A Woman” (SG Paradise’s Edit) by Bee Gees. We moved our bodies like we were different modes of transportations. By extending our arms to the side, we became airplanes flying up in the sky; by pretending to use a steering wheel, we became cars going fast & slow; by moving our arms in a circular motion on both sides of our body, we became trains going “choo-choo!”. When we were asked how we could move our bodies to move like a boat , Kako said “Kick!”
Erika brought out models of the different modes of transportation we discussed yesterday and emphasized on its wheels. When asked what was the shape of the wheels… Enna, kako, and Naomi answered, “ CIRCLE!”
For our morning roll call, we checked today’s attendance by singing to the tune of “Where is Thumbkin” and replaced the lyrics with “Where is -name-?” This time, when we are able to respond with “Here I am!”, a cushion was rolled over to us to catch and sit on. When everyone had a cushion to sit on, Erika pointed out that similar to how the cushion was given to us (by rolling) that was how wheels move!
We then proceeded to use the cushions as our own personal stage by dancing on top of it and using our ears to listen to the instructions on what to do. It was exhilarating to see all of us shine and let loose while moving to catchy tunes.
We hope all of you are having a lovely Tuesday so far!
Love,
Buds Class Children