#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday April 11, 2016
Howdy all! Time for the chat, give us a shout out!
Yoo Hoo!! Christine from southern Alberta, the windiest place in the world!
Hello! Hello! How are you Lesley?! :)
Heidi here in NJ/PA, USA!
I thought about that as I hit TWEET. Outdoor wind from the sky.
Hellooooo, . Amy here, also in Alberta, where the wind comes sweeping down the... wait...
How are you Christine?! Windy there eh?! That was us last week! Lost power 3xs!
Abby from NJ. I teach a K-2 self contained BD class. This is my first year teaching!!
Woah! That's super duper windy!
Abby from NJ. I teach a K-2 self contained BD class. This is my first year teaching!!
Hello ! Carrie here from PEI where we had a snowstorm on Sunday and tomorrow it will be +12C!
You are in DC, Maryland or Washington? I can't remember!! :( :)
You know it’s spring in PEI when…
Hey what is on the agenda tonight? Excited 2 b here. Courtney Seattle
It's like that here usually. Car heater on to drive to school and A/C on the drive home.
Green Team -- sharing & ownership of outdoor space. How many of you share with other classes, community?
Our school shares our outdoor space with the community sports association and the Preschool
I think it's also crappy outdated power lines!
Hi ! Just popping to say hi and thanks to all of you who decided to tweet w/ my kinder classes. It's been a blast so far!
Hello I had so much fun last week I just had to come back.
Next ur we hope to tweet all 7
continents!
Our school shares 1 playground with the 4-6 school right next door, and our front playground is also a shared community space.
That is now my new favorite word
It’s awesome. We use it every day!
We have designated ECE playground & field, but also share the rest of our campus with grades 1-12.
Hello! Welcome! Love multi age!
Let us know how you manage resources in the shared space! Thanks! https://t.co/zu6XfNEVt5
Our school shares 1 playground with the 4-6 school right next door, and our front playground is also a shared community space.
Hello . Bethany here (from Idaho)
1/2 A strong partnership with our community association-it's called the Millarville Foundation
A1: Public field and playground for us!
Let us know what the limitations and possibilities Thanks! https://t.co/EqSnJmCQKC
We have designated ECE playground & field, but also share the rest of our campus with grades 1-12.
2/2 The groups in the Foundation have shared mission, goals, vision and we work together
It is 7:12 pm on a Monday. We are in yr 5 of . My mother just called me.
Solution One! Communication with stakeholders! Thanks https://t.co/Cu5y6BtY6b
1/2 A strong partnership with our community association-it's called the Millarville Foundation
Hi Bethany! Western US is here tonight!! Nice!
Hi everyone! Melva, teaching grade 3 in northern Saskatchewan pretty tired tonight so might not stay long
I’d love to say we have a wonderful partnership with the public, but truth is, our playground gets torn up on a regular basis
This needs to go on our bingo card...
people ride quads, ski dodos and even drive trucks on ours too,
This is a story that is a struggle for many. And struggle is probably an understatement <3 https://t.co/sT2fCznqb8
I’d love to say we have a wonderful partnership with the public, but truth is, our playground gets torn up on a regular basis
Thanks! I am liking it as well. I'm finding that there are lots of ways to have the kids learn from each other.
Yes! One teaches the other- works really well! Like a one room school house, nice and cozy!
Cozy is a good way to describe it : )
And maybe tonights "secret word challenge" Use "butcept" correctly in a sentence and you get...
Prompt: Shared use after hours of outdoor play spaces - What can we do?
Same here. And they use knives to cut up the surface of the climber- it’s rubber.
Oh brother! Sometimes I wonder.
Another good one, and similar is ceptfer- as in, I want to go out ceptfer it’s raining.
Right? If you were in HS, would you hang at a primary school playground?
I love this use of technology. How did you get connected with the other class?
I've lived in the world of community cooperation almost 25 years. Being mutually involved with each other helps
Re shared use space: I had small garden, would try to always have jobs for any kid who wanted to work it
Yeah, go play your video games and leave us alone
Wrk 2gether w/ ouside org to set expectations.
1/2 My school shares playground space with the after school program.
Yes! We are a community school with a very strong sense of community
my sch & baseball field is used for little league daily in spring
Ours is centrally located. And it’s big with some wide open spaces.
Solution: Engagement and ownership of space changes perceptions, creates carers rather than destroyers
Many of the employees of the program are also school employees so they are interested in keeping the playground clean.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T given and shown when space is shared by all
I can relate, one year new slides were cut up to make skid plates for ski doos
How to comfort and acknowledge those whose responsibility it is to maintain space https://t.co/yAzsjFLGMt
Many of the employees of the program are also school employees so they are interested in keeping the playground clean.
I would like to try this with my class. How were you able to access the space to begin a garden?
Ack! I forgot it was time for ...sorry to miss, but heading to the hospital to be with my dad.
Kids and adults need to share the responsibility I think so love and care is learned from an early age
does any1 have a community garden on school grounds? Pros/Cons?
hugs & prayers, Michelle we are thinking of you and your dad,
Sending you positive thoughts and love, Michelle.
Solution: Stewardship of public space. Start in ece and maybe offer afterschool club opps for older children?
Hi ! Sorry so late, I sort of fell asleep after closing my school tonight!
We have an edible garden space that is still under construction! It's hard when you live in sub arctic Canada!
Thank you! Yes, it's been a great year. Challenging... but great!
We did at my previous school. Pros: great place to celebrate birthdays. Cons: extra space to lock up from public.
Cost about $350. Had a dad construct 3 beds. Even 1 is great! Best thing? Digging!
I think another solution could be to use the space for more than just a play area.
Meg you are burning both ends! Is that the expression?! :)
do u have a greenhouse? does garden provide snack/lunch for all Ss?
The intention is use this as an outdoor classroom as well as an place to care for
Solution: Planning space that is multi-use/faceted, provides interest for all.
Most community gardens I've seen work really well- though someone needs to coordinate, "own it" imho
How often do you use it in the winter/inclement weather?
Not on grounds (literally 0 outside space), but we can walk to new elevated trail, hoping to find comm garden to join.
what did you grow in it? Was it used in other ways?
Something like that! How are you?
Last greenhouse blew away in the super wind. Our garden has indigenous plantings so they survive
a bit of housekeeping for the chat. I'm pulling SOLUTIONS from everyone's shared ideas and not tagging. Big oops.
Good!! Busy of course but feeling good! Over cold and flu season!!
Yikes!! Weather certainly is a factor! indigenous plans are impt to ecosystem!
It's used year round. Has bird feeders to be filled and stumps to sit on. Plants are what we see in our locale
Flowers and just a few veggies. Tough in our cold climate though. Teachers used it whatever ways they felt they could.
That’s good! I’m just trying to crawl to spring break.
The kids see and identify them during our outdoor pursuits activities beyond our community
0 space is a con. Glad ur finding alt ways to wrk to goal of garden.
About 25 years ago we planted a row of trees along fence line to create a windbreak, maintenance cut them down with mower
My students love to dig! My school has a courtyard that isn't used. It would be perfect for a garden.
Indigenous plants are key element I think! Does double, even triple the teaching! Plus- easier!!!
Solution: Planning reflects the needs and interest of the community
Love the potential engagement w/ outoor garden!
We also have an indoor hydroponic garden for growing tomatoes and lettuce and kale!
My school is in the middle of an industrial zone in Chicago. We do what we can. Teachers learning to bring nature inside
Oh man! You haven't had it yet?! You are latest one I think?? xoxo
It's been a very big undertaking for our G3 teacher. Lots of planning, talking, helping from many places
I am pitching for basil. Then can bring mozzarella and make capresi salad
There's usually that place no one thinks of- even a window sill can be a garden Easy and big results!!
We did find out that the local organic place/butcher across alley is partly owned by parent & may have a plot we can use
Getting them cooking, chopping- the best!!!
is that through Little Green Thumbs?
Mine’s next week, but I think that ’s is the week after that!
Yes! Doesn't EVERYONE grow beans?
Great idea! That's something we can start right away.
We had that program for a few years a few years back! Now on our own!
Solution: Windowsill and container gardens
Yes and then lunch is served! I guess we could make ricotta too!
comm garden seems to engage kids in learning social skills too!
It’s a reality in city. I came from school w/large outdoor space; I’m working to adapt/think outside box
Technology foresight: Capturing the benefits of different language choices and access relevant knowledge in society.
Any ideas for brining nature inside?
Yes, we have a Junior Gardeners club at school that links with our community's Hort Club to learn lots
ya- get your seedlings started and you can rotate
we had it (not me, another teacher as a club) but maintenance didn't like it - water on floor, hot lights
Oh yes! And working in dirt, soil, so much science- just that!
Ours had its challenges too. The hydroponic one is much more successful and easier
And they are learning from their elders too! The energy is awesome!
We have HUGE windows/ledges, lots of pots full of plants/seeds. I’m buying window bird feeders to stick on them
that sounds really interesting I've never tried hydroponic gardening
we explored compost 4 1 lesson & terrariums 4 2nd lesson.
We were able to buy a very expensive system for a reduced rate from a private school so that made it doable
Definitely! They learn how to function as a community with a common goal.
What I want/am advocating for is zoning laws to change in my hood. Then we can expand/build outside area.
I love the idea of gardening in the classroom! Can't wait to try it!
In k we composted our pumpkin in an aquarium & planted birdseed in the spring, but admin threw it out!
Get the children to write to the gov't honchos and draw pictures and invite them to come in!
We walk. Under train tracks/across the entrance to the expressway to a park near the 606 elevated trail
I think that is exactly what we need! If our community all has a common goal they will work together to provide more!
bird feeders were easy, huge hit! Juncos, finches, chickadee- they know!
I’m the director of a prek; we don’t let lack of outside keep us in, I’m too stubborn and it’s a city reality.
We have a trees &fields .2day walked outside 2 look, hear, & feel things that remind us of spring
EEk! Our maintenance crew sprayed weed killer on all the new plants this summer. Oops.
I have great windows that let in so much light. 1 fun thing 2 do is plant a seed in a baggie and tape to the window.
We are doing that tomorrow!!
another fun thing is to bring in a branch with buds on it, put it in water and watch it sprout in the classroom.
I hope so! I have to find sturdy ones. We have strong winds and neighborhood vandals.
Taking a walk is huge! We do almost every day! Is great!! Easy, effective, free!!
. Know what grows amazingly and is interesting? Sweet potatoes! They grow awesome roots and sprout branches!
Solution: A new favorite book, cityscape w/ small nature, "Sidewalk Flowers" by JonArno Lawson
CAUTION! don't do this with a bullrush. They EXPLODE! Messy. Worse than . . . glitter.
I will try that! I tried avocado pits- no luck
Solution: OWN the neighborhood and your surroundings. Take a walk!
Tip of the day! https://t.co/nHAnyoRGiF
CAUTION! don't do this with a bullrush. They EXPLODE! Messy. Worse than . . . glitter.
pussy willows are fun for this
Same principle, just make sure it’s an organic sweet potato with eyes. It’s really cool.
And here I didn’t think anything could be worse than glitter!
Definitely going to try this. We are starting a "how to" unit. This will give be something fun to write about!
They are! The trick is to get them at the right time.
There are several brown wrens living in the garage, so we go and listen to them/look for them when we walk to indoor playground.
That would be the worst day of my life. I'm scared of beetles. Especially if they EXPLODED!!
Meg, let's get a petition going and we will all sign!!
What is so great is you can find nature even in the middle of a huge city. Nature finds it’s way
Do your kids live urban, too?
OK, that’s disgusting! I mean, it’s nature and cool, but still…
Solution: Own the air, so many birds to see roosting, nesting, flying.
Feeling faint . . . But I'm okay with butterfly larvae. Go figure.
They are city kids w/country souls. We really don’t let urban surroundings stop us; we just think differently.
I love the nature walk ideas! Kids learn so much from observing their surroundings.
Just so you know, I didn’t mention my urban/no outdoor setting as a problem. It’s just our reality; we think around it.
Was just thinking... My camp has 200 acres of nature, live animals (both tame and wild)... Maybe a partnership?
Solution: Find the things that can be only yours (no one will take them), insects, birds, weeds, pebbles
we wrote a list of our words we came up w/ 2day!
Do we wish we had our own outdoor space instead of a busy street outside our door? Yes. But do we find nature around us? Yes.
Interesting. Tell me more…
Wheels are turning.... Webcam/Skype could bring you SO MUCH NATURE...
I am in very natural setting so I'm always trying to think what I'd do in urban setting!
True. They are also well-traveled children, so they SEE things. I want them to feel things.
I want them to feel the sunshine on their skin, that’s why we go outside even though it’s not the prettiest.
So much to say, so little time. Take a minute for some green therapy, breathe deep and stay calm!
It has shifted thinking for sure; biggest challenge is getting my 2s class comfortable w walking outside: 2s run
Europe time today dove into schemes https://t.co/iJsfBLfba0 Is this UK thing? I hadn't ever heard this posed this way before?!
Thanks to all for the inspiration and energy on this Spring-ish evening, take care!
Thanking everyone for the inspiration and ideas!
signing off from thanks 4 gr8 discussion! See next week.
Goodnight and thanks to for the chat! We’re going on a nature walk this week as a matter of fact!
Schemas- darn autocorrect!! :)
Thank you for leading tonight Glad for new faces, places! New friends and sidewalk cracks! xo Goodnight all!!
Have a good night . ONE more week until spring break. My teachers and I are crawling along!
Goodnight everyone!! So good to chat tonight! :)
Thank you for leading us Lesley!!!
Goodnight, everyone, great chat, glad I stayed awake! Have an awesome week
