Shadows, Angels, Tracks in the Snow

Looks like a fun activity.

It's good to know that somewhere people like snow. It gave me a chill up my spine to see them lying in it. What a cute bunch of kids.

It looks like you had a lot of fun Bob. Great photos!

Chris Jerri....they are just a great bunch of kids. Thank goodness they have a teacher that suffers from undiagnosed ADHD....actually several of us kindergarten teachers were all talking about the fact that ALL of us must suffer from this....how else could you ever go with the flow of things in a kindergarten class?

They are a cute bunch...and so very earnest in all that they do, Vicky! And yes, they love SNOW! But didn't you as a child?

Thanks jr for stopping by.

mmmmmmmmmmm bird food my favorite

Sounds like both groups had a great time.

This is a great photo essay and the kids looked like they had a great time,I'm sure you did.I like to get into the snow when we have some.As you know we have had very little and thats a good thing this year because we have very little hay to feed the cows the rest of this winter.

It never ceases to amaze me how much children love animals... When they detected the birdseed and other animal feed was gone, that became their first priority! :o)

Lena...you eat birdseed????

Both sessions, Marge, had a great time. It's truly amazing to just step back from the teacher role and see what transpires. Both groups had a ball...just different dynamics. Certainly didn't follow any lesson plan.

Super photo essay, Elizabeth! Thank you!

Here's hoping Deb you don't get any snow. Hungry cows would be a problem. And I don't think they eat bird seed.

Thanks Curt for stopping by.

Jean...if you really listen to the young you do discover they have great empathy for all living things.

How great to be young!

The morning kids had fun, too, just in a different way. So cool for them to think and care about the critters.

I was thinking the same thing, Patricia.

Deb, that is what is so amazing. Both groups had a great time....just different. All depending on the group dynamics, I think.

What fun those photos are and the stories behind them. It would appear that you prepared the morning children with some novel and exciting options. Would this work with the afternoon class or did they just respond differently?

Ah! These are kids after my own heart. Follow the animal tracks, they ALWAYS lead to interesting places. Just look where they lead me!

Enjoyed watching these kids play in the snow. I was going to go out with my grandson today but he hadn't brought over boots or snowpants today. We are supposed to get another storm tonight. He is just getting over bilateral ear infections, so probably just as well we didn't go out today.

Wow Bob. I wish YOU had been one of my son's teacher. So many lessons taught in that adventure!

I'm glad you aren't just an inside teacher Bob. Sounds like the kind of school I went to and I have nothing but good memories.

A great journey of exploration for these children. From casting shadows and making snow angels to discovering animal tracks and preparing bird food. School should be fun and it obviously is in your class.

Waht a wonderful time it must have been this looks so cool.

I love the way you "teach." That's the way school should be. The photos captured all the fun and excitement playing in the snow lead to!

Aesop for Today, January 30

Wow, I wish you were my teacher when I was in school. Sounds like they have a really good time with you.

I just love this! Great shots of the children! There must be a child in the afternoon group who is destined to become a scientist. He/she must have stimulated the group to study tracks, and wonder about animal tracks and the mysteries of nature. I would love to have been there with you watching and listening to them.

Thank you all for dropping by last evening after I had gone to the Land of Nod. This morning looking in my mail I discovered this beautiful poem from one of my parents. How true it is.

Mrs Evans,
I remember one day we were talking about the kids and you told me that you think of them as "your kids". I saw then how much you loved all of the kids that you teach. I came across this poem and thought that you would like it.




Whose Child Is This

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
"Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
"Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."

--Author Unknown

Thank you Phyllis for starting my day with a ray of sunshine. All children of the world should be considered gifts...gifts that parents and teachers together love, nurture and inspire so that one day, through the example they have been shown, they may do the same with the next generation. Bless you for dropping by last evening with such kind words.

Beryl, both sessions had the same stories read to them at circle time: "A Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats; "In Search of Spring: What the Groundhog Discovered" and "Snowballs" by Lois Ehlert. But each class, depending on group dynamics, went their own separate way. Should we be surprised. Not really. We are all unique individuals and given the opportunity to make decisions come up with various solutions. That is why as a teacher many times I hold myself back....I don't give them options. We explore a subject and then they are "turned loose". Yes, with both groups I could have read a story, "How to make a snowman" and said, "Today we are going outside and construct one". But would the children "own" that idea. No, it would have been my idea. Instead, I presented several stories of "winter" and let them through experience lead the way. I truly believe in experiential learning.

Bob, imaginative teaching like this is both highly creative and educational - because it is fun! And I also enjoyed it.

I was certain that I left a comment here last night. It must have been my last one when my internet putzed out on me for the umpteenth time yesterday and I didn't feel like rebooting again.

This was delightful, Bob. My comment last night was rather lengthy about me imagining you having to do up all those zippers, buttons, buckles, hats, scarves, mittens and yadda yadda yadda. I'm going to post this now before my internet dies again.

I really enjoyed seeing these photos. Looks like they had so much fun while learning how to make treats for the birds.

you take such wonderful pictures of the kids

Fabulous essay, you had a really fun day and the pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Bob, you share rare gifts with your children--love and discovery -fearlessly. Its good to see teachers like you molding young minds with such care and beauty.

Outstanding, Bob. Such gorgeous pictures of those little ones. Oh how I wish I could have been there to play with you all in that lovely snow!!!We just have ice and sleet today. Not as much fun... LOL!

Funny how both groups think of different things. Looks like each group had fun though.

Thanks for posting to "ALL PHOTO ESSAYS HERE". Sorry I'm only just now getting around to viewing and commenting. I'm so far behind!

Love the parent teacher poem and love the photo essay.
I wove wabbits too!

Great photo essay with wonderful photos. They look like they had a great time!

I'm back from the Dominican Republic and it's snowing here in Ontario. I wish I could be still lying around on the beach, by the pool or eating and drinking and taking photos.

A big THANK YOU for my sister Elaine for taking over the moderator duties of BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOS, ART AND WRITING and I thank YOU for posting your original work to this group.

Thanks every one for dropping by.