Different Ways to Measure

This week the students are focusing how we measure things. We are learning about all the different tools we can use to measure different things like weight, height, and time. Miss Julie brought a box full of various measuring tools and asked the children if they knew what they were and what they are used to measure. There were rulers, hourglasses, a level and a scale. We also read the book "Actual Size" by Steve Jenkins and the children were shocked by all the real sizes of animals around the world. We even measured our own tongues. We talked about why a ruler is a foot and what a foot used to be- the size of the King's foot! So we all traced our own foot and measured things around the room. One of the most popular items was the scale pictured below.

More measurement activities!

Watch Out! A Volcano is Erupting in Our Classroom!

Last week the students used clay to create small volcanos. The class read books and asked questions about volcanos, and this week were able to create their very own explosion! The children were captivated by the reaction the baking soda and vinegar had together We even dyed some of the vinegar red to get a more lava look. The students are still figuring out the best baking soda to vinegar ratio, but exploring is the best part. 

How to make a volcano

About the Class

As I stated previously I am placed in a preschool classroom at North Broadway Children's Center in Clintonville. I have the opportunity to experience something very unique in this classroom because it is a co-op program. A co-op program places an emphasis on collaboration between teachers and parents. For this reason, the parents are encouraged to volunteer their time in the classroom. Each day their are two parents in the classroom along with the two teachers and me! This bring our child to adult ratio down to about 1 adult per every 3 students. I have never heard of this type of classroom model and so far I am loving it! I definitely want to incorporate parents into my future classroom as much as possible. The biggest benefit I have observed is the increased sense of community. The teachers all the know the parents on a deeper level and the parents have a more in depth of how the classroom works. 

Here you can see NBCC definition and rationale of a co-op program: http://www.northbroadwaycc.org/#!part-time-programs/cq5

About Miss Olix

Hi! My name is Jenny Olix. I am a 4th year student at The Ohio State University studying Early Childhood Education. I am currently placed in a preschool classroom at North Broadway Children's Center. In my free time I like to go to movies, play with my dogs, and travel anywhere and everywhere. I have a passion for education and am so excited to start my career as a teacher!