New Perceptions of High, Middle and Low Level

Levels can be a hard concept to teach little ones.  I usually teach low level is at the floor, middle level is table top level and high level is as high as you can reach or jump.  But that is not necessarily the truth.

Low can go much lower than the floor.  As anyone whose backyard looks like the Artic right now, you can dig WAY lower than where your feet are planted.  You can build a gigantic tunnel under the ground!  And middle level, well, when I was trying to chase my puppy into the house I experienced middle level where low level used to be.  And high level when I am walking on the snow is a wonderful place to explore because I never reach this high without the help of a stool or chair.  I guess what I am saying is that levels can be relative based on your environment.

It makes me think about how my perception of level is very different than a child who is 3 feet tall.  His or her high level is my middle level.  It is great every once in a while to change your outlook, see things differently and put yourselves in the minds eye of the children you teach. 

Yes, the clouds to both kids and adults are way up in high level but the door knob to a two year old is in high level  while to me it is in middle level.

Try exploring the levels with your class and don't give them images of what high, middle and low level is to you.  See and hear what it means to them.  And watch how they explore it with their high, middle and low level bodies!

Have fun exploring perceptions with the kids in your life!
Sincerely,
Stacey

Opposite Day: A Summer Day At The Beach

If you live in the Northeast you are experiencing one snowstorm after another.  And it is getting very tiring!!  What do you do when your surroundings are getting very  monotonous?  What do you do when you feel like your teaching is getting monotonous?  Shake it up a bit by having opposite day.

If you are tired of pulling off little snow boots, wiping snow off the floor and zipping up coats try this activity on for size!

A Summer Day at the Beach

• Ask your students to bring in beach towels and do floor exercises on them like you are sun bathing!
• Have your students bring in sunglasses, hats, beach balls, pails and shovels and have these props inspire your movements
• Find some beach inspired music and swim in the ocean with dolphins, crabs and starfish ( dolphins dive up and down, crabs walk sideways and starfish have 6 reaching points.)
• Explore the opposite texture/movement of the ocean vs. the beach ( the ocean is always moving, the sand is moved when people step on it.  The ocean pulls the sand.)

Have fun moving in sunny weather with the children in your life - and don't forget the sunblock!

Sincerely,
Stacey

Falling Down, Sideways, and All Around

Here in  the northeast the leaves on the trees are vibrant, colorful and awesome!!  And when the wind blows I get to witness a dance of colors cascading down to the ground.  See if you can bring the outside in with this autumn inspired activity (or do the activity outside and join the leaves!)

Falling
The week prior to the activity ask the children to observe the leaves on the trees and how they fall to the ground. Ask them to wear autumn inspired colors for the activity (orange, red, yellow, brown, etc.)  

Have the children share there week's observations with you.   How many different ways did the leaves fall to the ground? Write down all of their descriptive words.


 How many different ways can they fall to the ground? 


The children at first will probably fling themselves onto the floor.  After they have explored this way of falling ask them to show you the opposite way of falling. 

• Can you fall slowly?
• Can you fall leading with your elbow?
• Can your fall take you all the way around the room?
• Can you fall softly?
• Can you fall with a partner?
• Can the entire class fall together?
• Can you fall in a scattered pattern through the class or in a big cluster?

After they have explored all the various ways they can fall, have them describe their experiences to you.  Now see if the class can create a poem with the words.  Read the poem out loud and have them dance to the poem.

This activity works on observation skills, sharing ideas, collaboration and creativity.

Have fun falling with the children in your life!

Sincerely,
Stacey