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“Not A Box” storybook, by Antoinette Portis, invites us to see how our imagination transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through the rabbit’s playful thinking, we learn that ideas can grow beyond what we see. A reminder to value creativity, confidence, and perspective thinking.  Imagination transforms ordinary things A box can become anything we dream of. You name it! A race car, a boat, a train, and many more. Captain Luka climbs aboard his mighty ship, The Not-a-Box, and sets sail across the wide, wavy sea. Confidence in Emily’s ideas. Emily’s persistence shows the importance of trusting her own imagination. Today a box is a boat for her, another day it turns out to be a unicorn.  Following the story, Rebecca extends her learning through a firsthand experience such as engaging her own broom to work on. This experience helps Rebecca connects story values to her own idea and shared play. Another storybook titled “Room on the Broom” invites us to explore the values of kindness, cooperation, and friendship. Through the witch’s generosity in sharing her broom, we learn how helping others and working together can create joyful outcomes. The story also encourages imaginative thinking, and a sense of belonging, reminding us that there is always room for everyone when we care and include others.  On one of the pages we are kind of astonished when the witch's broom is broken to parts. Oh no! Her broom snapped in two, pieces tumbling into the water! “Room on the Broom” also offers opportunities for inquiry learning , where we are encouraged to wonder, predict, and test our ideas. As we engage with our story, we learn to form hypothesis such as “What happens when the broom stick fall on the water?” This question invites exploration through experimentation. Through such inquiry, we learn to think, make predictions, and observe the process. As we pour the water, we observe that the stick looks different. When asked, “What is happening to the stick?”, we begin to share our ideas what we have noticed. “Why do you think the sticks are floating?” Is a question proposed to friends to invite shared thinking. We pause to observe, then begin to share our ideas. Sometimes when we are not sure and become more able to share our thoughts, we note how this shift is taking place. When children (and even adults!) play or tell stories, there are often moments where uncertainty turns into confidence. Imagination helps us find our voice. Luka shares this moment of change beautifully. Kalyan shares his thinking, “Because there us a lot of water!”. His reasoning reflects his understanding of how water may support or hold up an object. Because it (the little stick) is swimming” - Rebecca. Tvisha, thoughtfully observes, “I thought the stick is going to sink, but it is not.” Her words reveal a moment of surprise and reflection as she reconsiders her initial prediction. An extension of last week, we explore how paint can move and change through different materials, popping bubble wrap to spread the paint and tapping with a small mallet. Some of us experiment further, using pinecones and pretend flowers to dip and smear paint across the canvas. Through these playful investigations, we discover new textures and bring our ideas to life, showing how creativity grows through curiosity and experimentation. Friends begin creating our own storybooks, each imagining a world filled with our favorite characters. As we work, our drawings and ideas come to life in unique and meaningful ways. Emily shares, “This is a unicorn bottle, with games the unicorns are playing, and they have legs to sit on,” showing her detailed imagination and how she connects her ideas through play. Dhanika joyfully says that her character is “Gabby’s Dollhouse playing” Tvisha shares that “the Paw Patrol is making my house,” proudly building a story that reflects teamwork and creativity. Kalyan’s story is full of heroes, as he says, “Batman and Spiderman helping each other — they are helping everybody,” showing how much he values kindness and cooperation. These moments show how storytelling encourages us to express ourselves, think creatively, and share our thoughts with friends. Each page of our storybook becomes a reflection of our ideas and growing confidence in using our voices. Later in the day, the classroom turns into a Halloween baking space as friends work together to make bright orange cupcakes. We each have a chance to help — adding the cupcake mix, eggs, milk, water, and oil — and are thrilled to watch the batter change color. The experience is full of laughter and curiosity as we observe the transformation and learn the importance of working as a team. When the cupcakes are ready, Rebecca and Luka eagerly help decorate them. We carefully add frosting and sprinkles, making sure each cupcake looks special. Friends admire one another’s work and shared our excitement for the upcoming Halloween celebration. Kindest,
Children & Friends.
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