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	<title>Blog - Logos Academy</title>
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	<title>Blog - Logos Academy</title>
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	<item>
		<title>How Preschoolers Can Enjoy an Art Appreciation Night Without Going to an Art Museum</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/art-appreciation-for-preschoolers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=art-appreciation-for-preschoolers</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[artists]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[art]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.logosacademy.net/?p=2514</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Logos Academy is crazy about art. In a previous blog we talked about the importance of introducing art to children&#160;and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/art-appreciation-for-preschoolers/">How Preschoolers Can Enjoy an Art Appreciation Night Without Going to an Art Museum</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2518" src="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246.jpg" alt="" width="4745" height="3746" srcset="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246.jpg 1199w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246-300x237.jpg 300w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246-1024x809.jpg 1024w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246-768x607.jpg 768w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gallery-Night-Entryway-3-e1552827028246-600x474.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 4745px) 100vw, 4745px" />Logos Academy is crazy about art. In a previous blog we talked about <a href="https://www.logosacademy.net/2018/05/16/art-adventures-at-logos-painting-butterflies/">the importance of introducing art to children</a>&nbsp;and how it helps them develop other skills.</p>
<p>Experiencing art at a museum is a vibrant way for kids to appreciate art. We are fortunate to be in the metro Washington DC area with access to amazing museums, like the <a href="https://www.nga.gov/">National Gallery of Art</a>. However, we found many Logos families are so busy they don’t have an opportunity to visit them.</p>
<p>Therefore <strong>we got creative and found a way to bring the art gallery to Logos</strong>. If you’re too busy to visit an art museum or don’t have one close to where you live, this is for you.</p>
<h1><strong>Logos’ First Art Appreciation Night</strong></h1>
<p>Earlier this month we hosted our <a href="https://www.logosacademy.net/2018/05/15/join-us-for-art-and-friendship-gallery-night-on-june-9th/">first Art and Friendship Gallery Night</a>. It was an an opportunity to introduce children to great artists, celebrate their creativity and have a family event all in one.</p>
<p>We celebrated six artists and genres:</p>
<ol>
<li>Abstract Sculptures</li>
<li>Picasso Inspired Cubist Portraits</li>
<li>Stained Glass Pictures</li>
<li>Gustav Klimt Inspired Tree of Life</li>
<li>Butterflies</li>
<li>Trees in Winter</li>
</ol>
<p>Over several months, the Logos kids learned about these six types of art and completed related projects. See the pictures below to see how they turned out!</p>
<p>[ngg_images source=&#8221;galleries&#8221; container_ids=&#8221;6&#8243; display_type=&#8221;photocrati-nextgen_basic_imagebrowser&#8221; ajax_pagination=&#8221;0&#8243; order_by=&#8221;sortorder&#8221; order_direction=&#8221;ASC&#8221; returns=&#8221;included&#8221; maximum_entity_count=&#8221;500&#8243;]</p>
<p>Our Gallery Night was on a Saturday evening, combined with our preschool graduation. We invited our Logos families and also opened the event to the public. We had a fantastic turnout and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The kids took great pride in showing their art to their guests and talking with Ms. Julie, Logos’ Art Enrichment Teacher.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2519 alignleft" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Looking-at-art-2-1-300x217.jpg" alt="" width="415" height="300"></p>
<h1><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2539 size-medium alignnone" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/20180609_170924-e1530236829964-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300"></h1>
<h1><strong>How to Host Your Own Art Appreciation Event</strong></h1>
<p>If you’d like to bring an art gallery to your school or home, these 10 steps will show you how.</p>
<ol>
<li>
<h4>Pick several artists or genres.<em><strong><br />
</strong></em></h4>
<p>The longer you have to plan, the more you can pick. For some inspiration, check out <a href="https://www.messylittlemonster.com/2016/04/Exploring-famous-artists-inspired-art-projects-for-kids.html">this blog post about exploring famous artists</a>.</li>
<li>
<h4>For each artist or genre, do an art project.</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> is a great source for finding age appropriate project ideas.</li>
<li>
<h4>Once you complete all the art, prepare the pieces for display.</h4>
<p>Depending on the type of art your little Picassos create, you can mount the pieces on heavy cardstock or frame them with frames from the dollar store. Display the names of the children by their pieces.</li>
<li>
<h4>Determine where you will display the art.</h4>
<p>Find a hallway, wall or open rooms. Depending on the space, you may need to take down decorations or reconfigure it to give the sense of openness and order that galleries have. If possible, choose a white wall for hanging pictures.</li>
<li>
<h4>Create a short write up about the artist or genre.</h4>
<p>You can do this in two ways 1) Print out on card stock and mount on the wall or display on the table. 2) Create a program. You can download the&nbsp;<a href="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Logos-Art-and-Friendship-Program-2018.pdf">Logos Art and Friendship Program 2018</a>.</li>
<li>
<h4>Invite friends, family or the community to come view the art.</h4>
<p>Depending how big your event is, you may want to do this 2 &#8211; 4 weeks in advance. You can create a Facebook event, Evite or make flyers if your event is open to the public.</li>
<li>
<h4>The day before, display your art on walls or tables.</h4>
<p>You can consider decorating tables with similar tablecloths (plastic is fine) or having flowers. You can also use crates or boxes to create simple display stands on the tables. Don’t forget the <a href="https://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/how-to-use/picture-hanging-strips/">removable hangers</a>! They make it easy to hang and take down pictures. You can find removable hanging strips at office supply stores, craft stores and some grocery stores.</li>
<li>
<h4>Have refreshments.</h4>
<p>A simple plate of cookies on a pretty table extends a nice welcome. If you are hosting a bigger event, consider having finger foods. You can even ask a local supermarket or restaurant if they would be willing to donate the food. That’s what Logos did.</li>
<li>
<h4>The day of the event, make sure visitors know where to go and what they’re viewing.<strong><em><br />
</em></strong></h4>
<p>It’s helpful to have someone near the art who can answer questions. If you’re in a large space, your guests will appreciate signs directing them where to go.</li>
<li>
<h4>During the event, enjoy the excitement of the kids as they see and talk about their amazing art!</h4>
</li>
</ol>
<h1><strong>Art at Logos </strong></h1>
<p>At Logos, we believe art is an adventure and form of play. Because art fosters creativity and critical thinking &#8211; not to mention being A LOT of fun &#8211; we prioritize it in our weekly curriculum and in the gifts our kids make for parents, e.g. for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.</p>
<p>Would you like to learn more about the art program at Logos? Email Ms. Babette at <a href="mailto:babette@logosacademy.net">babette@logosacademy.net</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/art-appreciation-for-preschoolers/">How Preschoolers Can Enjoy an Art Appreciation Night Without Going to an Art Museum</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Nature&#8217;s Life Cycle Teaches Kids More Than Just Science</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/natures-life-cycle-teaches-kids-more-than-just-science/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=natures-life-cycle-teaches-kids-more-than-just-science</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2018 17:45:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STEAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Cycle]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.logosacademy.net/?p=2430</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Spring is a time of new life and growth. Flowers bloom, caterpillars turn into butterflies and nature is alive with [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/natures-life-cycle-teaches-kids-more-than-just-science/">Nature’s Life Cycle Teaches Kids More Than Just Science</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Spring is a time of new life and growth. Flowers bloom, caterpillars turn into butterflies and nature is alive with sound and color. Spring is also a great time to use the life cycle to teach preschoolers math and science and increase their literacy.</p>
<h1><strong>Nature’s Life Cycle Teaches Kids Science, Math, Literacy and Vocabulary</strong></h1>
<p>All living things have a life cycle. The life cycle are the stages they go through in their lifetime. <strong>Logos kids have learned about the life cycles of frogs, butterflies and turkeys.&nbsp;</strong>When preschoolers learn about the life cycle, they connect to nature and learn how things change.</p>
<p><strong>In addition to science, did you know that learning about animal life cycles can also improve your preschooler’s math, reading and ability to express herself?</strong></p>
<p>The life cycle offers a perfect opportunity to practice and learn two math skills: counting and sequencing. <a href="https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/167%20Sequencing.pdf">Sequencing</a> is arranging things in a particular order, which is an essential building block concept for preschoolers.</p>
<p>A natural complement to learning about the life cycle is reading fun stories like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Eric-Carle/dp/0399226907"><em>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</em></a>. We applied the concepts of sequencing to reading by differentiating beginning, middle and end. Reading also helped our kids acquire rich vocabulary words such as chrysalis and metamorphosis.</p>
<h1><strong>Spotlight: Turkey Eggs </strong></h1>
<p><strong>During the month of May, Logos kids had the opportunity to observe the turkey life cycle over the course of four weeks.</strong> A Logos parent brought an incubator with seven turkey eggs. The incubator stayed in a classroom so the children could observe it daily. After 28 days, the turkey chicks hatched! A few kids got to witness the tiny turkey babies literally break out of their eggs. All the children were excited to see how the turkey eggs became turkey babies.</p>
<p>https://www.facebook.com/immersionpreschoolinHerndon/videos/1956762124342929/?t=2</p>
<h2><strong><br />
Four Lessons from the Turkey Life Cycle&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>How to Care for the Eggs </strong></h3>
<p>The children learned that it was essential to care for the eggs at this stage of the life cycle.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2438 size-large" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Kids-with-adult-holding-chick-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="1024"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2432 size-medium alignright" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Avery-at-incubator-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300"> <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2439 size-medium alignright" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Selepri-holding-chick-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300"> <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2436 size-medium alignright" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Harper-holding-chick-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300"> <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2433 size-medium alignright" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Boys-around-incubator-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300"></p>
<p>The incubator kept the eggs warm. But the kids helped to turn the eggs a few times per day just as the mother turkey would. They learned the importance of being gentle, making sure there was water in the incubator to keep the humidity at a certain level and what an incubator does.</p>
<p>The kids took the eggs out a few times during the cycle to see how the turkeys were developing. They took the eggs into a dark room and shined a flashlight under them to see what was happening inside. The kids saw a heart beating one time, then heard the chicks pecking at the egg at a later time.</p>
<p>Once the eggs hatched the children had an opportunity to care for the turkey babies by feeding and watering them.</p>
<h3><strong>Counting Backward and Forward</strong></h3>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2435 size-medium alignleft" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Count-Up-Chart-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225"> <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2434 size-medium alignleft" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Count-Down-Chart-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225">Counting started by learning how many stages are in the turkey life cycle. We discussed counting how many days it would take the eggs to hatch. We did this in two ways: one was counting down the days starting with 28 days, the other was counting the number of days from 1 to 28.</p>
<h3><strong>Sequencing</strong></h3>
<p>The children discussed the life cycles of butterflies, frogs and turkeys. They learned what stage came first, second, third and so on. This helped them understand life cycles&nbsp;have an order and process. The sequencing lessons also allowed the class to compare similarities and differences between different life cycles.</p>
<p><strong>Learn about the first six stages of the turkey life cycle in this slideshow.</strong></p>
<p>[ngg_images source=&#8221;galleries&#8221; container_ids=&#8221;5&#8243; display_type=&#8221;photocrati-nextgen_basic_imagebrowser&#8221; ajax_pagination=&#8221;0&#8243; order_by=&#8221;sortorder&#8221; order_direction=&#8221;ASC&#8221; returns=&#8221;included&#8221; maximum_entity_count=&#8221;500&#8243;]</p>
<p><strong>The last stage the children got to see was the baby turkeys starting to flap their wings and hop. See them in action!</strong></p>
<p>https://www.facebook.com/immersionpreschoolinHerndon/videos/1956755257676949/</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Similarities and Differences</strong></h3>
<p>The children were able to compare their experience with the turkey eggs to what they previously learned about frogs and butterflies. They saw that the similarity between butterflies, frogs and turkeys is that they all start as eggs. The difference? Butterflies and frogs first feed on the egg but turkey chicks do not.</p>
<p>The children also applied similarities and differences to the attributes of the turkey chicks. They discussed whether they all had the same number of legs (they did), if they were the same color (there was some variation) and whether some were smaller or larger than others (they were).</p>
<h1><strong>Want to Learn More About Life Cycles?</strong></h1>
<p>Learning about the natural life cycle is a wonderful thing to do during this time of the year. <strong>Here are 3 things you can do with your child at home</strong>:</p>
<ol>
<li>Watch videos or read books together learn about the life cycles. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Eric-Carle/dp/0399226907"><em>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</em></a> is a classic book to read and is available at most libraries. You can also check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5RSpMQQOpw">this video </a>to see how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YCpfzl0B4M">this video</a> to learn about the frog life cycle.</li>
<li>Do simple life cycle crafts and projects together. You can find multiple DIY life cycle ideas and projects <a href="http://hative.com/life-cycle-projects-for-kids/">here</a>.</li>
<li>Make a real life connection by <a href="https://teachpreschool.org/2011/09/18/planting-and-growing-beans-in-our-preschool-window/">planting beans</a> and watching them grow or making a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000ISC5/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00000ISC5&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=christpreschp-20">butterfly garden</a>.</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/natures-life-cycle-teaches-kids-more-than-just-science/">Nature’s Life Cycle Teaches Kids More Than Just Science</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Art Adventures at Logos: Painting Butterflies</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/art-adventures-at-logos-painting-butterflies/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=art-adventures-at-logos-painting-butterflies</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2018 06:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STEAM]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.logosacademy.net/?p=2382</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This is a blog post from Ms. Julie, head of Logos’ art program “Art should be fun! We want our [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/art-adventures-at-logos-painting-butterflies/">Art Adventures at Logos: Painting Butterflies</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This is a blog post from Ms. Julie, head of Logos’ art program</em></p>
<p><strong>“Art should be fun! We want our students to see art as a fun adventure that is another form of play, one that allows them to explore and express themselves and their ideas in a visual way. </strong></p>
<p>Art gives children opportunities to develop creativity as well as spatial and perceptive abilities, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. When creating art, preschoolers gain awareness of colors, shapes, forms, textures and designs. Making art presents kids with choices requiring them to make decisions and solve problems. It allows them to make discoveries and can be used to reinforce other subjects, like science and reading.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-2390 size-large" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Lucas-finished-butterfly-e1526409509925-1024x745.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="745"></p>
<h1><strong>Painting Butterflies</strong></h1>
<p>As an extension of our unit on insects and life cycles, <strong>the children created beautiful butterfly pictures. We looked at pictures of real butterflies and discussed how a butterfly’s wings are symmetrical. </strong>I explained what symmetry meant: the color and markings on one butterfly wing are exactly the same on the other wing. Symmetry is a mirror image of two sides.</p>
<p><strong>Here’s how we did our butterfly project:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Each child chose the butterfly she / he wished to replicate.</li>
<li>The children then folded a piece of paper in half and reopened it so they would have a symmetrical butterfly.</li>
<li>They used a pencil to draw one half of the butterfly on one side of the paper. They tried to copy the outline of the wing of their chosen butterfly.</li>
<li>They then traced over the pencil line with black tinted glue, adding a body and an antenna.</li>
<li>The paper was folded and pressed down. When they opened the paper…<em>ta da</em>! They had a complete, symmetrical butterfly!</li>
<li>After the outline was dry, the children painted their butterflies with watercolor.</li>
</ol>
<p>[ngg_images source=&#8221;galleries&#8221; container_ids=&#8221;4&#8243; display_type=&#8221;photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails&#8221; override_thumbnail_settings=&#8221;0&#8243; thumbnail_width=&#8221;120&#8243; thumbnail_height=&#8221;90&#8243; thumbnail_crop=&#8221;1&#8243; images_per_page=&#8221;20&#8243; number_of_columns=&#8221;0&#8243; ajax_pagination=&#8221;0&#8243; show_all_in_lightbox=&#8221;0&#8243; use_imagebrowser_effect=&#8221;0&#8243; show_slideshow_link=&#8221;1&#8243; slideshow_link_text=&#8221;[Show slideshow]&#8221; order_by=&#8221;sortorder&#8221; order_direction=&#8221;ASC&#8221; returns=&#8221;included&#8221; maximum_entity_count=&#8221;500&#8243;]</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Our kids go</strong><strong>t to&nbsp;</strong><strong>choose how they wanted the colors and markings of the butterfly to be. The only requirement was to maintain symmetry. </strong>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2391 size-medium" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Butterfly-with-drip-e1526409380615-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236"></p>
<p>We looked at the butterfly photos again so they could decide if they wanted to paint natural colors and markings or do something different. Some chose to recreate the natural butterfly. Others chose to create their own color and marking combinations. Whichever they chose, they were careful to make the butterfly wings symmetrical<strong>. </strong>One child accidentally dripped paint on one of the butterfly wings, but no worries! She just made the same mark on the opposite side.</p>
<p><strong>This butter</strong><strong>fly project was a wonderful tie-in to our insect unit and also provided a lesson in symmetry, developing spatial abilities, decision-making and problem solving. The children were pleased and proud of their butterflies! I think they are beautiful! </strong>“</p>
<h1><strong>Meet Ms. Julie</strong></h1>
<p>Ms. Julie studied political science in college but found her true calling in art, which she has loved since she was a child. She is inspired by all genres of art, learning about different artists and exploring all the different ways of creating art. <strong>Ms. Julie is passionate about introducing preschoolers to art and artists and helping kids discover that they are artists too</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“All of us possess God-given creativity that expresses itself in different ways for each person. Creating works of art offers a child a way to tap into that gift. “</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Ms. Julie loves visiting art shows, exhibits, museums and Pinterest to get new ideas to use at Logos. Her favorite way to spend an afternoon is at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. She also enjoys riding horses and crafting.</p>
<p>Ms. Julie is excited to share the art Logos students have been creating for <strong><a href="https://www.logosacademy.net/2018/05/15/join-us-for-art-and-friendship-gallery-night-on-june-9th/">Logos’ Art and Friendship Gallery Night on Saturday, June 9th</a></strong>. Mark your calendars &#8211; you don’t want to miss it!</p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/art-adventures-at-logos-painting-butterflies/">Art Adventures at Logos: Painting Butterflies</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Learning Spanish at Logos: ¡Vamos a Pasarlo Bien Juntos! / Let’s Have Fun Together!</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/fun-learning-spanish-at-logos/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fun-learning-spanish-at-logos</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2018 07:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spanish Club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dual immersion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spanish]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>“¡Hola! Cómo estás?&#8221; These are among many Spanish words and phrases preschoolers at Logos comprehend. No matter what their background [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/fun-learning-spanish-at-logos/">Learning Spanish at Logos: ¡Vamos a Pasarlo Bien Juntos! / Let’s Have Fun Together!</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>“¡Hola! Cómo estás?&#8221; </em>These are among many Spanish words and phrases preschoolers at Logos comprehend. No matter what their background or native language, Logos kids know greetings, shapes, numbers and other Spanish phrases. They can’t help it &#8211; Spanish surrounds them. Based on its <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.logosacademy.net/dual-language-immersion/">dual immersion approach</a>, Logos has woven Spanish into almost every aspect the day. From the classroom to the playground, the kids are learning Spanish. And loving it! <strong>Logos kids love learning Spanish because it is taught in a fun and natural way.</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2351" src="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383.jpg 1200w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383-300x169.jpg 300w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383-768x432.jpg 768w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Spanish-club-e1552828604383-600x338.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></span></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is the approach to learning Spanish at Logos?</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. Nathali, head of Logos’ Spanish program, describes Logos’ approach to teaching Spanish as follows:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>“</strong><strong>Our philosophy is to engage the children and fully immerse them in Spanish as much as possible in a natural way by playing and having fun. “</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>https://www.facebook.com/immersionpreschoolinHerndon/videos/1921478494537959/</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
Since the vast majority of children come to Logos knowing little or no Spanish, Ms. Nathali applies methods used in teaching babies to talk. She focuses on using body language with exaggerated movement and animated facial expressions, as well as repetition. Parents take note, “If a child tends to repeat, he or she will improve faster”.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Singing / chanting and games are used liberally to teach since they help kids “catch” the language. Rhyming is also used frequently because it makes things easier to remember.</span></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish Club: Multiply the Learning, Multiply the Fun</span></h1>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
What is Spanish Club?</span></h2>
<p><strong>Spanish Club is an extension of the Spanish immersion program at Logos.</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Last year, Ms. Nathali noticed some of the preschoolers were absorbing Spanish at a faster rate than the curriculum taught and thought they could learn more. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thinking about how she raised her two sons to be bilingual, Ms. Nathali was inspired to start Spanish Club. Her guiding principle can be summed up as </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Vamos al parque” </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">/ </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Let’s go to the park.”</span></em> <strong>This idea is to focus on conversation and daily activities in a way that feels natural to children.</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish Club, or </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Club de Español</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as the kids affectionately call it, occurs Tuesday and Thursday. It lasts an hour, and those who participate are engaged each minute. Spanish Club focuses on a theme that is not covered in regular Spanish class. A recent example is the theme of community workers (e.g. policemen, postal workers, doctors), what they do and the tools associated in their professions.&nbsp;<b>Check out the video below to see an activity the kids did to learn about community workers.</b></span></p>
<p>https://www.facebook.com/immersionpreschoolinHerndon/videos/1921477004538108/</p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
An Afternoon in Spanish Club </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kids participating in Spanish Club know what to expect. Spanish Club follows a set format: game, reading, topic introduction with activities, craft and a farewell song. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Themes vary every 3 &#8211; 4 weeks based on the kids’ interest and mastery of the subject. But the format stays the same. </span>Ms. Nathali has designed this format to accomplish one goal: “I just want them to talk.”</p>
<p><strong>Multiple opportunities are created for the children to converse naturally in Spanish</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, such as asking them to respond to questions, listening and answering their questions or creating discussion around something they have an interest in. When possible, chanting / singing and rhyming are used to reinforce concepts and vocabulary. For example,“</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mi amigo Mario es un veterinario.</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">” (My friend, Mario, is a veterinarian.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The smaller group dynamic in Spanish Club helps students learn the language faster. </span><strong>Having back-and-forth conversations with a native speaker make the kids comfortable speaking Spanish.</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> &nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with a Game</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As soon as the kids come into the room, the fun begins. And it usually take the form of “Hide and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seek”. For some reason, the kids love to be found in Spanish!</span></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-2347 alignright" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1.-Raul-the-Iguana-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="133"></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Read a Book</span></h3>
<p>After the game, it’s time for reading. This usually lasts about 15 minutes with plenty of interaction. The kids often become quite animated discussing the book.</p>
<h3>Discuss a Topic with Two Activities</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2367" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2.-Doctor-role-playing-v2-300x252.jpg" alt="" width="340" height="286">The topic, e.g. community workers, is introduced using flash cards. O</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ft</span>en, Ms. Nathali brings objects associated with the flash cards to add another hands-on element to class.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. Nathali engages the kids through two activities. Sometimes activities involve role play or a game. </span><strong>No matter what, Spanish Club activities always incorporate movement to stimulate thinking and use preschooler energy.</strong></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use a Craft to Discuss Further </span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2370" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/3.-Abulance-activity-v2-290x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="155">Completing a craft creates an opportunity to have further discussion on the topic. &nbsp;It also uses fine motor skills and sparks creativity. Ms. Nathali often uses this time to get the kids to think critically. In the picture on the left, Ms. Nathali has drawn an ambulance and is asking the children to point out what is missing on it, e.g. the red siren. The kids are very proud of the crafts they make in Spanish Club.</span></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2372" src="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869.jpg" alt="" width="3003" height="1503" srcset="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869.jpg 1201w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869-300x150.jpg 300w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869-768x384.jpg 768w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.-Happy-kids-with-their-crafts-v2-e1552828479869-600x300.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3003px) 100vw, 3003px" /></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">End with a Song</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After following directions in Spanish to clean up from their craft making, kids leave Spanish club singing </span><a href="https://youtu.be/ZVpwwUqs-zo"><span style="font-weight: 400;">this song</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from Calico Spanish:</span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Es hora de decir, “Adiós”,<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(It’s time to say goodbye)<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">de la clase de español.<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(to the Spanish class.)<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Muchas cosas aprendí,<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(I learned many things,)<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">por eso estoy feliz.<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(that’s why I’m happy.)<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">¡Qué alegría me dio estar aquí!<br />
</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(What a joy it was to be here!)</span></em></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meet Ms. Nathali and Ms. Nancy</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. Nathali and Ms. Nancy are the lively, loving and talented duo behind Logos’ Spanish program. Led by Ms. Nathali, the two of them teach Spanish to all children at Logos, run Spanish Club and interact and have fun with students throughout the day, all in </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">español.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Originally from Venezuela, Ms. Nathali has a background in economics and international business. In her quest to raise bilingual sons, Ms. Nathali volunteered with several language programs. Her gift for teaching was quickly spotted, and eventually Ms. Nathali found herself teaching at Language Stars. She found Logos in 2016 when exploring the possibility of starting a pro-bono Spanish program. Ms. Nathali is also a chess whiz! She has held the title of national chess champion for two countries: Venezuela and Barbados. Ms. Nathali currently teaches chess to kids on the weekends and in the summer. She also loves to exercise.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Originally from Colombia, Ms. Nancy has a background in Airline and Travel Agency Administration. Nancy started volunteering with Fairfax County’s Rising Start and Head Start programs when her children were participating. Inspired by this experience, she then started an in-home daycare. Ms. Nancy joined the Logos family in 2014 through the introduction of a friend. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys exercising and swimming.</span></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish Immersion at Logos</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish immersion at Logos is formally taught with a curriculum but it is supplemented in a 100 different ways throughout a regular school day. Ms. Nathali and Ms. Nancy ask the kids to line up in Spanish or speak to them in Spanish when helping them tie their shoes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish learning in the classroom focuses on a different topic every month, e.g. emotions, parts of the body and shapes. Each topic has associated learning goals for comprehension and expression. The four- and five-year-old “Monkeys” class also learns letters in Spanish and vocabulary corresponding to the letters. Logos seeks to integrate topical learning in Spanish with other parts of its curriculum. In December, the final project for Spanish focused on the pentagon. Later the kid’s pentagons were used in Art class to make </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">a colorful frame for their Nativity sets &#8211; they loved this!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you curious about Logos’ Spanish program, or would you like your child to participate in Spanish club? &nbsp;Email Babette at </span><a href="mailto:babette@logosacademy.net"><span style="font-weight: 400;">babette@logosacademy.net</span></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/fun-learning-spanish-at-logos/">Learning Spanish at Logos: ¡Vamos a Pasarlo Bien Juntos! / Let’s Have Fun Together!</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>5 Ways Bookie Bags Boost Critical Thinking in Preschoolers</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/5-ways-bookie-bags-boost-critical-thinking-in-preschoolers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=5-ways-bookie-bags-boost-critical-thinking-in-preschoolers</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2018 05:59:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bookie Bags]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literacy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.logosacademy.net/?p=2265</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We all know that taking our kids to the library is a good thing. However, busy parents can’t always get [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/5-ways-bookie-bags-boost-critical-thinking-in-preschoolers/">5 Ways Bookie Bags Boost Critical Thinking in Preschoolers</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We all know that taking our kids to the library is a good thing. However, busy parents can’t always get to the library, much less take advantage of the programs offered. </span></p>
<p><b>En</b><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2271" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1A-Curious-George-Bilingual-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200"><b>ter Bookie Bags: an age-appropriate reading package that comes home to you. </b>Bookie Bags include a book, activity card and props for kids to use in completing activities and engaging in dramatic play.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bookie Bags are not just any reading program. </span><b>Bookie Bags multiply the power of reading in preschool minds by promoting critical thinking, problem solving and creativity.</b></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why Should Preschoolers Focus on Critical Thinking? </span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Critical thinking and problem solving skills are not just for adults. &nbsp;</span><b>A preschooler’s natural curiosity is fertile ground for cultivating critical thinking</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Research also shows that brain development is on “overdrive” before kindergarten. </span></p>
<p><b>Logos intentionally takes advantage of this special time in a child’s development by integrating early enrichment in its approach</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.logosacademy.net/programs/enrichment-program/">Early enrichment at Logos</a> is designed to give children skills and experiences, like Bookie Bags, to help them become creative thinkers and problem solvers. Of course, the teaching and experiences have to be fun too!</span></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spotlight: Bee Bookie Bags</span></h1>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2274" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/3-Bee-Book-Titles-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="315" height="420"></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In March, Logos students began a unit on bees to welcome Spring. Th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ey starte</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">d le</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">arnin</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">g about&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the amazing work bees do and the fact that we don’t need to fear&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">them if we are careful. In addition to discovering a *secret* about bees, the Logos kids learned some new vocabulary like&nbsp;</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">hive</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">,&nbsp;</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">nectar </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">pollen</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The kids also did pollination e</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">xperiments, played bee games to better understand the life of bees, “built” hives and did a project to help bees in their neighborhoods</span>.</p>
<p>Bee Bookie Bags&nbsp;went home with the kids in mid-March to reinforce the learning theme. While there were a variety of book titles, each bag included materials or activities designed to increase their knowledge of and interest in bees. Items included a beekeeping dress up costume with accessories like a hat and protective netting, a bee pattern-making kit and a collection of bee poems and chants.</p>
<h1>How “Bee Bookies” Boost Brain Power</h1>
<p>The kids’ experience with “Bee Bookies” is a living example of the <strong>five ways Bookie Bags help our budding thinkers develop critical thinking skills</strong>.</p>
<h3>Open Ended Discussion</h3>
<p>The questions on the activity card create a great opportunity to ask questions about the story and make a connections to what the kids learn in school. In this way, students stretch their thinking by applying skills introduced in class such as evaluating choices,&nbsp; predicting outcomes and interpreting events.</p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dramatic and Hands-On Play</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Different book titles are provided each month but always include meaningful learning activities such as puzzles, sorting games, creative thinking exercises, building / creating something original or simulating a real event or profession. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example: the beekeeper costume and story illustration of what beekeepers do enabled the children to play dress up and act out a beekeeper’s role. In one little guy’s case, this meant choosing to stay dressed up while he bounced on the trampoline “in case the bees need me”.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Choices and Creativity</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bookie Bags offer parents the opportunity to connect and engage their child through an act as simple as reading aloud or by also using the follow up activities to explore, create or review learning. In the process, the children often get creative with their actions and descriptions. In the case of the Bee Bookies, one child described bee larvae as “a tiny croissant”.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Knowledge Stretching</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bee Bookies helped the children supplement their knowledge about bees and the real-world problem of decreasing bee populations. &nbsp;Logos kids know that bees pollinate flowers, stay in their hive when it’s cold and that worker bees and queen bees have different attributes. They now know how bees help our world and how we can help theirs! &nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another knowledge stretcher is the use of bilingual Bookies (when available) to support the students increasing fluency in Spanish. This is done as part of Logos’ </span><a href="https://www.logosacademy.net/dual-language-immersion/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dual immersion program</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Problem Solving</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The kids discovered how they could help solve the real-world problem they learned about. They learned three things they could do to help increase the bee population: 1) provide a food source, which they did by planting 2) provide a water source and 3) ask Mom and Dad to choose yard care products carefully. Giving preschoolers the opportunity to help solve real problems is empowering!</span></p>
<h1><span style="font-weight: 400;">Logos’ Bookie Bag Program</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2275" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4A-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="351" height="263">Bookie Bags are the inspiration of Ms. Stephanie Green, Logos’ Early Enrichment teacher. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms. Stephanie is passionate about developing the potential of children, locally and globally. She holds a Masters in Gifted Edu</span>cation and has spent more than 25 years working with children, including 10 years in the FCPS Advanced Academic Program. She loves international travel and assisting children in developing countries through sponsorship and advocacy. Ms. Stephanie lives in Chantilly with her husband and three children.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The program s</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">tarted in October 2017. Twice a month, Logos students bring home a Bookie Bag. This mobile reading program is a fun, informative way for families to share literacy and learning experiences at home. &nbsp;The books are theme-related, reinforcing things the kids are learning in class, like bees! The activities help the kids dive deeply into concepts they have learned about and </span><a href="https://kidssteamlab.com/encourage-creative-thinking/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">encourage creative thinking</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Having Bookie Bags come home with their child makes it easier for parents to follow through and connect home to school. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">S</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">tudents keep Bookie Bags for a week, then pass them on to a class</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">mate. Some of the other Bookie Bag themes used this year include:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gratitude and Generosity</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Snowmen</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bible Heroes and Heroines</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Would you like to know more about Bookie Bags? &nbsp;Contact Ms. Stephanie. She can be reached through Logos Academy at (202) 669-4319.</span></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2276" src="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851.jpg" alt="" width="3264" height="2448" srcset="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851.jpg 1200w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851-300x225.jpg 300w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851-768x576.jpg 768w, https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4B-Kids-w-Bookie-Bags-2-e1552828759851-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3264px) 100vw, 3264px" /></p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/5-ways-bookie-bags-boost-critical-thinking-in-preschoolers/">5 Ways Bookie Bags Boost Critical Thinking in Preschoolers</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>How a Tiny Guest Is Making Science Come Alive in Preschool</title>
		<link>https://logosacademy.net/how-a-tiny-guest-is-making-science-come-alive-at-preschool/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-a-tiny-guest-is-making-science-come-alive-at-preschool</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Logos Academy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2018 17:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STEM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toad]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.logosacademy.net/?p=2203</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In February, the lives of Logos preschoolers were changed when a special guest came to visit. His name was&#160;Snowflake Sunshine [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/how-a-tiny-guest-is-making-science-come-alive-at-preschool/">How a Tiny Guest Is Making Science Come Alive in Preschool</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2238 " src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Leila-Touching-the-Toad-3-647x1024.jpg" alt="" width="621" height="995">In February, the lives of Logos preschoolers were changed when a special guest came to visit. His name was&nbsp;Snowflake Sunshine Shoelace III. <strong>This special guest came to show them about biology and the natural world. He won their hearts in the process</strong>. &nbsp;Not a day has passed since his first visit that a Logos preschooler doesn’t ask about Snowflake. &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>This special guest, Snowflake Sunshine Shoelace III, is a toad.</strong> Snowflake has also become a celebrity. At least to the 30 preschoolers at Logos.</p>
<p>With the help of his friend and Logos science teacher, “Miss Colleen”, <strong>Snowflake has done three important things for these little boys and girls</strong>:</p>
<ol>
<li>He made biology real to them.</li>
<li>He helped them think critically while having fun.</li>
<li>Perhaps most importantly, he awakened their curiosity.</li>
</ol>
<h1>Making Science Come Alive</h1>
<p><strong>Miss Colleen showed Logos’ young scientists how to observe</strong>. Preschoolers can observe similarities and differences between toads and frogs. For example, both have ears which are flat “like trampolines”, something most of the kids could relate to. But toads can crawl, while frogs can’t. Toads jump, but frogs jump further. The kids learned these and other <a href="http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-frogs-and-toads/">fun facts about frogs and toads</a>.</p>
<p>To see if Snowflake would move, the children were encouraged to be patient and quiet (a challenge for them!). “<strong>He becomes more real if he moves</strong>,” Miss Colleen explains. When Snowflake felt comfortable enough to explore, the children saw him hop and eat mealworms. They discussed how he moved and behaved when he was frightened or relaxed.</p>
<h1>Thinking Critically, Connecting Dots</h1>
<p>Hopping and eating opened up so much fun conversation for the kids! If Snowflake eats, does he have to wash his hands? Wait! Snowflake doesn’t have hands! So does he need to wash his tongue? <strong>Seeing Snowflake’s daily life and talking about it helped the chil<img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2221 size-medium" src="https://www.logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Making-A-Toad-House-300x286.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="286">dren think about his needs and compare them to what they do</strong>.</p>
<p>The children learned how Snowflake lives and constructed toad houses. They applied their observations of Snowflake’s habits and behavior to decide what kind of houses to build. They took their job seriously, carefully considered what Snowflake would need in an appropriate home. One 4-year old even insisted he bring the toad house back to school in case “Snowflake needed it”.</p>
<p>Feeling connected to Snowflake also engaged the children with the classic short story, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LOQWO2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1">Frog and Toad Are Friends</a>, which they read in another class. The friendship between Frog and Toad highlights life-examples, feelings and interpersonal connections. The kids surprised Miss Colleen and the other teachers by how much they took to the story.</p>
<h1>Awakening Curiosity</h1>
<p>After science, it’s time for recess. One Thursday after the kids watched Snowflake to see if he would eat, little Joe approached Miss Colleen on the playground.““Miss Colleen,” he said, “I have a few more questions about the toad.” “It was loud in there before. I wonder if Snowflake is hungry now.” &nbsp;So Miss Colleen took Joe back in the building to find out. Miss Colleen believes it’s important to follow a child’s conversation where it leads because</p>
<blockquote><p>“You know they’re learning if they are still digesting after you’ve stopped teaching.”</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Sparking curiosity is perhaps the most important thing Snowflake gave the little scientists at Logos.</strong> They told their parents about him at home, wondered if he was ok after a recent wind storm and look at their own worlds a little differently now.</p>
<p>Logos loves cultivating curiosity because it is a thread that can lead to life changing places when pulled correctly. One of the world’s greatest scientists said it this way:</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">“I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious.” &nbsp;&#8211; Albert Einstein</p>
</blockquote>
<h1>Get to Know Miss Colleen and Snowflake</h1>
<p>Snowflake found Miss Colleen on a cold February night after several unseasonably warm days. Earlier that day she and the Logos kids had been wondering <a href="http://amphibianrescue.org/2011/01/19/brrrits-cold-outside-how-do-frogs-and-toads-survive/">what happens to amphibians who hibernate</a> when weather changes drastically. They noted that frogs and toads cannot quickly switch back and forth into heat-saver mode.</p>
<p>In this respect, Snowflake has proven to be a toad of exquisite timing. He hopped into Miss Colleen’s life as she held the door open to a school science fair. &nbsp;Since then he has settled nicely in a warm 10 gallon aquarium while he awaits more toad-friendly weather.</p>
<p><strong>Snowflake is an <a href="http://animals.mom.me/hibernation-eating-habits-american-toad-6988.html">American Toad</a> who likes to sing back to the oven timer and YouTube videos of other toads singing.</strong> He was named by kindergartners in one of Miss Colleen’s after school science programs.</p>
<p><strong>Miss Colleen, aka Colleen Danner, &nbsp;is an architect by training but a teacher at heart.</strong> Originally from Michigan, she taught ice skating in college. Miss Colleen fell into science because of her eldest son, who is autistic. Helping him explore and navigate the world made her his teacher by default. And science was something he loved. Miss Colleen later worked as an aide to Karleen Boyle, a marine biologist who led an afterschool science program for many years and now runs <a href="http://www.thescienceplace.net">The Science Place</a>.</p>
<p>Miss Colleen says the special experience with her son helps her to think “sideways”. This ability to flow with the direction of a child’s thinking and mood is invaluable in teaching preschoolers. Miss Colleen loves to experiment and learn, make 2 and 3-D art &nbsp;from everyday objects, and make chalk art on her driveway with her own kids. She likes working at Logos “because it’s so unique”.</p>
<h1>Make Science Come Alive Where You Are<img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2223 " src="https://logosacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Waiting-and-waving-the-toad-169x300.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="315"></h1>
<p>Kids learn when they’re having fun and things become real to them. Would you like to bring science to life in your&nbsp;home? Check out these <a href="http://www.nsta.org/sciencematters/tips.aspx">science tips for busy parents</a>. Miss Colleen also suggests <strong>seven ways you can engage your kids in science</strong>:</p>
<ol>
<li>Ask them questions, then value their answers.</li>
<li>Explore and wonder together.</li>
<li>Congratulate curiosity.</li>
<li>Color happily outside the lines.</li>
<li>Don’t be afraid to spill the glue when doing projects.</li>
<li>Remember to have fun!</li>
<li>If something can’t be fun, find a way to make it satisfying.</li>
</ol>
<p>Do you have any tips or great experiences for bringing science to life? We’d love to hear them!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://logosacademy.net/how-a-tiny-guest-is-making-science-come-alive-at-preschool/">How a Tiny Guest Is Making Science Come Alive in Preschool</a> first appeared on <a href="https://logosacademy.net">Logos Academy</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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