Did you think it was too cold in the winter to make artworks outside? Not for this terrific and tough group of Montessori children!
Today's program was called "A Winter Circle", and here's what we did:
We began by sharing the book, "Once There was a Tree", that identifies many visitors to one space throughout the seasons, and concludes with the thought that nature is a shared space.
We brainstormed ideas for our local creature inhabitants. The children came up with all kinds, from spiders to squirrels to moose.
What if we created a special shared space outside? We looked at some ideas for natural materials that we could use to build a special space for local critters.
Then, we put on coats, boots, mittens, and went outside.
Students used the provided collection of natural materials to create a group circle sculpture in the snow.
As we worked, we noticed the materials, their textures, aromas, shapes. Could these ingredients be shelter or food or comfort or entertainment for creature visitors? We imagined what will happen to our sculpture when it snows more this winter and when the snow melts...
