Celebrating Winter with art, story, math, science, and more

We’ve had real winter weather the past week or so, with temperatures below freezing at night! Of course we’re finding fun ways to celebrate winter through new songs, science experiments, art projects, and even “snowflake geometry.”

We started back to our Circle Days last Friday after an extended holiday break, and the kids were so happy to be together again. I see new dynamics emerging in the group as the kids adjust to having one fewer child enrolled this session and as they realize how close their relationships with each other really are.

Last Friday’s Circle Time included a story, “The Winter King and The Summer Queen,” which got the imaginations of several kids rolling as they talked about how they would turn it into a play. (They’ve been playing the roles during outdoor time—but we haven’t decided to make costumes or anything yet.) The kids also learned a new song, “I Like Winter,” for which they created their own hand movements and then a little skit. (This is a good way to encourage kids to practice a song repeatedly without it becoming repetitious).

During an exploratory session, I introduced the art of Kirigami snowflakes. This was one of my favorite pastimes as a child—I just didn’t know it had Japanese origins or a fancy name. As we folded and cut intricate patterns into white paper, and then wondered at the unexpected and always beautiful results, we talked about symmetry. When one of the students said, “Well, it’s symmetrical—sort of,” I explained the difference between “bilateral” and “radial” symmetry. We talked about how our bodies are examples of bilateral symmetry, while a sea star would have radial symmetry. When I sensed that one of the younger kids was ready to begin a new activity, I got out the pattern blocks and asked him if he could make something symmetrical. Well, he amazed me with creating complex examples of both bilateral and radial symmetry, and then even made a fabulous pattern that would have been perfectly symmetrical, except for one fun piece intentionally placed to throw it into asymmetry. He showed me this one with a mischievous grin.

Now, the State of California would not expect a child in public school to grasp these terms until about 4^th grade. I was introducing the terms to my older students (a 2^nd and 3^rd grader) because one of them mentioned symmetry, while this kindergarten-aged child worked quietly at the table. The kindergarten child may not tell me the difference between radial and bilateral symmetry in words or on a worksheet, but he clearly showed his understanding of the concepts through informally “playing” with pattern blocks as he lay comfortably on the carpeted floor. One of many thrilling moments that reinforce what we’re doing with our integrated arts curriculum and multi-age class group.

After some chilly outdoor play, we experimented with the laws of thermodynamics. While we warmed our chilled hands, I wondered aloud, “Does it take longer to boil water or to melt ice?” The students made some predictions as they measured two cups of ice into one pot and then two cups of water into another pot. We observed thermodynamics in action as each pot sat over the flames on our gas stove. I’ll let you satisfy your curiosity with your own experiment. Check back soon for more about our winter celebrations and learning experiences.