A Snapshot of Inside Play

We were given cameras (yay!) for our classroom, so I took advantage of it and took pictures all afternoon! Within 10 minutes of pictures, here are some of the things we working on...

Beyblade made with snap cubes.

 This beyblade is no ordinary snap cube beyblade! Traditionally, they have been made in our class with 9 blocks snapped together in a 3 x 3 grid with a block on top as a handle and a block below as a point. This monster was created after much trial and error by a friend with persistance! The new design he created is stronger, faster, and consistantly wins battles in snap cube or block stadiums. After teaching others how to make this beyblade, it has been decided it takes many more blocks (27 vs 11) and it's hard to get a colour scheme-- but a winner is a winner, no matter how you see it!

Princess and Toy Story puzzles are a favourite right now!.

 One girl can complete all our puzzles independently and is very proud of that fact! Others are learning to use logical thinking skills to match pictures on the pieces or to guess what part of the puzzle each piece belongs to.

Some were looking for sight words in our weekly literacy poem.

 Some students were playing with wiki stix (they look like pipe cleaners, but are made of wax and stick to paper!). They were hunting for the words "I" and "And" in the Dreidel song we are learning.

The boys were cooking.

 At the restaurant, the boys were busy ordering, cooking, serving and prepping! In this picture, one boy is cutting up the "food" at the table to serve to his patrons.

It spins!?!

 As our snap cube beyblades are boring for some, we are on the hunt for what spins. This juicer at the restaurant makes a fantastic top!

Exploring colours and story concepts.

 After reading some winter stories, a friend is exploring the colours and materials at the art easel to create a snow-woman that resembles herself. Other friends sat by to give input about what was missing (buttons, longer fingers, etc).

A battle is a-brewin'!

 This friend was exploring with geometric pattern blocks and using them to create complex battle grounds for his triangles. The battle ship is strategically creates and the triangle warriors are forming ranks to take the battle ship from the bad guys.

Oh wait... that's my play!

 Guilty as charged-- I was in a heated battle with some friends over who could build the tallest tower with foam blocks. We had to experiment with many bases and patterns to see who could get their tower to be the tallest each time.

Exploring funnels and pouring!

 These friends knew exactly what they were doing as they quickly-- and easily-- made "potions" by stacking funnels in such a way that water poured through the top funnel would filter into the cup below.

Alphabet hunt in the sand.

Several friends enjoyed going on an alphabet hunt with our fresh sand! It was so much fun to dig and search for letters or sounds. One friend called the letters or sounds (i.e. S! or "sssss!") and the other two had to see who could find the letter.


A snapshot of play! All the busy learning certainly made for a fantastic Thursday! Please come back again tomorrow for a post about 20 things to do during the holidays!

Just Playing

My greatest downfall and best strength is my passion that students can learn through play. I truly believe in what I teach, and I like to share this poem with parents every year, as I know that sometimes it can be hard to see how we actually do learn by playing in the classroom. With a well-thought out environment, strategically placed materials and guided interaction, playing is more than just a past-time, but a way of developing new skills that are forever engrained in students minds.

When I think about play, the book "Play" by Stuart Brown always bursts from my head and into my heart. He is a scientist who spent years and years studying the effects of play on everyone from children to adults and from aerospace technicians to serial killers. His results are interesting and often result in some "lightbulb" moments. He does have the first chapter of his book available on his website for those who are interested. 

Just Playing

"When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.

When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies.
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say "he's just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is just "play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.'
I may be a chef someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I'm a child and my work is play.

- Anita Wadley