Toy Shop Window

 

Today in IPC, Grade 1, together with K2, looked at the painting, The Toy Shop by Peter Blake (1962). The picture is a type of self portrait telling about the artist's favorite toys that he played with as a child. We listed the toys we could identify in the painting and talked about the types of toys that are still popular today.

The children were then given sheets of paper which were divided into four boxes, to represent their toy shop window. In the first box, children will be drawing/showing toys that their grandparents would have played with; in the second box, toys their parents would have played with. The bottom two boxes will feature toys the children like to play with today and what toys might be available in the future.

Children started drawing the toys they play with today and were given the rest of the task as home learning this week. I ask that parents please take a look at this task and talk with your children about the toys you played with when you were young. Children can interview their grandparents to find out what toys they played with, or if this isn't possible, get help from parents to fill out this square. These sheets should be brought back to class where they will be shared on Friday, September 21.

Toys, New and Old

Our toy share last week went very well and children were eager to share the toys they brought in. We talked about each toy in turn and what the children noticed about it. Children explained what made their toys special and shared their views and opinions. We had focus on vocabulary describing the age of the toys, and put the toys in order, from oldest to newest.

For our next history task, children are asked to bring in an example of a toy (or game) that their parents or grandparents used to play with. Last week, children devised a list of questions to ask parents and grandparents about their favorite toy. Please talk with your children about these.

• Who gave you the toy?
• How old is the toy?
• How old were you when you played with the toy?
• Why is it special?
• Does the toy have a name?
• What is it made from?

Please note that toys brought to school will be looked at and handled by the children, and though we will be ever so careful with them, I ask that you please avoid sending any breakable objects. As an alternative, if you are unable to send a toy, children can take a photograph of the toy/game or invite parents/grandparents to school to talk about it with the class. Our vintage toy share will take place on Wednesday, September 19, during lessons 3 and 4.

Friday, Sept. 7

I'd like to ask grade 1 children to please bring a favorite toy from home on Friday, Sept. 7, as well as an example of toys and/or a photograph of toys that they used to play with when they were younger. We will be presenting and talking about these, sharing our views/opinions, and comparing and contrasting. We will take very good care of these, but please don't send anything fragile or of large value. Thank you!

Picture Day

Just a reminder that class pictures and individual pictures are tomorrow. Thursday, September 6, 2012...Remember to Look Your Best!

Forest Play in Nødebo

Grade 1 took part in NGG's annual Sports Day event and enjoyed a fantastic afternoon out of the classroom at the forest playground in Nødebo. The natural playscape both challenged and engaged the children and offered them loads of sensory stimulation. It provided room for creativity, imagination, social connections as well as direct social and individual experiences in nature. Outdoor play, besides being healthy and increasing activity levels, is also pivotal in creating a connection between children and nature and is shown to be important in the development of an environmental consciousness and identity. I'm grateful the weather was so cooperative - we had an absolutely brilliant day!

The Toy Museum of North Sealand

Last week, along with K1 and K2, Grade 1 visited the the Toy Museum of North Sealand, a privately owned museum exhibiting a wide variety of toys from around the world, played with by children over the years. A pleasant surprise awaited children and adults alike a few moments after entering through the doors of the 200 year old building. The museum is filled with not only virtually every kind of old fashioned toy imaginable, but also those one has never seen! From teddy bears to tin soldiers, trains and tractors, there were toys to suit every taste. It was a magical journey to the past and provided an excellent entry point activity for children to begin our new IPC unit: The Magic Toy Maker.