I think this month's theme on transportation has definitely been a favorite among both Ryan and Ethan. This week we will embark on water adventures as we learn all about boats! To start off the week, Ryan and Ethan played with objects that would either sink or float in the touch and feel pool. We talked about how heavy objects like rocks, spoons, sticks, blocks would sink to the bottom of a pool of water where as lighter objects like a feather, paper, or a leaf would float.
During open center time today, Ryan and Ethan each got their own large container full of water. In each tub, the boys played with boats which I made last night by freezing toothpicks in an ice tray and adding a "sail" onto each toothpick using duct tape. We watched as the ice cube boats "floated" in the water and how they "sank" as the ice melted and gradually disappeared with the sail sinking to the bottom of the tub of water. We also compared boat sizes as some of the boats melted faster than others. Once the ice cube boats were gone, we got out some bath-tub toy boats that didn't melt and some plastic fish so that the boys could continue their water play. The water in both tubs was pretty chilly at this point, but that didn't stop Ryan and Ethan from being completely and totally engaged in this activity. We also added a few plastic cups, and the boys experimented with the water as they filled the cups with water and dumped them out saying, "Waterfall!"
Which boat is bigger?
After changing our wet diapers, we headed outside for the playground. We were the only ones on the playground today. Ethan opened up the take-out window once again, and Ryan requested that he make his favorite "banana cake." However, Ethan insisted on making pizza and ice cream instead! I also tried to get both boys to pedal a tricycle, but their attention to that more difficult task was fleeting for both boys. They also played a good game of chase as Ethan hunted for Ryan saying, "Ryan, where are you?" and Ryan laughing the entire time that he was hiding.
We kicked off our language circle today with this great boat song, which also helped us settle down for our story, Boats by Byron Barton. Like last week's book about airplanes by the same author, this book teaches children about all different types of boats. As we read about the various boats, Ryan and Ethan learned that all boats float on the water. Rowboats require paddles to make them move. Sailboats move when the wind pushes their big sails. Motorboats move with a fast engine. Fireboats help to put out fires and respond to emergencies. Ferry boats can carry people and cars. We can catch fish in fishing boats and take a vacation or a really long boat ride on a cruise ship. Tugboats help to push or pull another boat that might need help. FYI: As I prepared for the lesson today, I noticed that the author of this book also produced a great app. that goes along with this book. You can also check it out on YouTube if you want to preview it before ordering. It might be another good way to emphasize the new vocabulary that we are learning this week.
When we finished our book, Ryan and Ethan headed to the art table to make their own boats using different shapes of construction paper. We reviewed the names of the different shapes and then glued them to a sheet of paper. I let the boys glue their sails in any direction to make their own special type of boat! Then we labeled the very basic parts of the sailboat scene: sail, sun, and water. We had a few minutes before lunch to paint another boat picture using Do-A-Dot paints and to work on our scissor skills.
A few questions for your kiddos this week:
1. Where do boats float? on the water
2. How do row boats move? with paddles
3. What type of boat did Ryan and Ethan make today? a sailboat
4. Who/What does a ferryboat carry? cars and passengers
Ryan and Ethan were both very tired by the end of the day, so hopefully you will get good naps out of them this afternoon! I will see them both on Thursday as we continue to learn more about boats.
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