I love emergent curriculum.  I just do.  Last night I watched this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvQBUccxBr4 from Britain’s Got Talent Show.  For me it was unbelievably artistic and emotionally moving.  So I just had to share it.  It actually wasn’t my intention to get the kids involved in this, but as I was sharing it with Melinda, the WF crew gathered around.  Many watched it from start to finish.  Then some watched it again.  And yet again.  They were fascinated. 

So, in the way of emergent curriculum Melinda and I set up a sheet and projector so the children could explore the concepts of light and shadow.  So for an extended time, most children were gathered in the shadow area and all were disappointed when we had to pull it down for lunch time. 

As the children took turns being the audience and being the shadow, Melinda talked with them.  They explored together how the distance between an object and its light source affects the size of the shadow.  They recognized the projector as a source of light and its importance to the process of creating shadows.  They waited for turns. They all were in close proximity as the audience and they navigated this. The shadow dancers explored how turning different ways influenced how their shadow appeared. 

The shadow puppets this morning in an example of true emergent curriculum as a small spark was unintentionally introduced to the children, the WF teachers saw the opening and provided materials to explore the concept, and the children were completely absorbed in the moment. 

Check out the photo album for wonderful moments that happened before the shadow puppets as the WFer’s played together, created a thank you message for Officer Burns, did some large group message boarding, were introduced to some new music from Mel, danced, listened to stories, and played outside (briefly before we got rained out)!

Breakfast was whole wheat bagels and banana.  WeeSprouts were cukes.  Lunch was whole wheat flat bread with melted mozzarella and ham, broccoli, and watermelon.  Snack will be cream cheese and wheat crackers.

Have a great day!

Tami