Let's Play with Cheese in the Snow!

This week in Aurora I read the class a book called, Let's Play. The story was about two mice, and the games they play during the day, or the toys they play with. During circle time, I asked all of the children what they like to play when they are not at school.

Afterwards, I split the kids into two groups, and led them in an an activity where they made their own mouse, and then drew a picture of what they like to play. Rather than letting them look at my picture or the book as an example, I showed them it one time, and then had them "build" the mouse the way they thought it should look.

Me- "What does Miss. Allie like to play?" Holds up picture of the mouse I made.

Student- "Banana!"

Although I supervised the activity, I didn't give them much guidance in putting the pieces together, because I wanted them to use their imaginations and create it the way they thought it should look. The results…..

a group of very interesting and hilariously adorable mice.

When I was working with the boys group, they kept talking about a potato, which makes me wonder if they realized they were making mice, or if this was a new project on what potatoes like to play…..

Hinamatsuri and Aurora's Hina Ningyo

In the month of March is a special day for Japan, known as Hinamatsuri. Hinamatsuri, or girls day,  celebrates the health and happiness of the lives of Japanese girls. Each girl gets  a doll, called a hina ningyo.

I learned about this holiday from my partner in Aurora, who planned a craft and lesson to teach the children about it. Working in an international school is amazing because not only do I have an opportunity to share my own culture and experiences with my partner and class, but I also get to learn about Japanese traditions and celebrations and learn the language and customs. 

For Hinamatsuri, the kids all made paper dolls using origami, and pasted them to a paper with sakura in the background. Each set of dolls turned out unique and I love how each child interpreted the project and made it their own. 

Their favorite thing to do right now is to hold up whatever art we are working on, and all shout, "like this? Miss. Allie, like this???" And it doesn't stop until each and everyone of them gets my approval and a compliment on what they've done thus far.