Creating a Collaborative Alphabet

A couple of weeks ago, we worked with a wonderful artist named Lynne Mulvihill. She taught us how to make words and letters, using materials from trees.

First we explored all of the different materials. There was bark, moss, cork, paper, seeds, pinecones, and even wooden beads.

Then we tried gluing the materials onto letters. We have to make sure our glue stayed in the lines and that our natural materials covered all of the glue.

After gluing, we did a "tap test" to make sure everything stuck on.

Finally, we created this beautiful alphabet for our classroom word wall.

Thank you Lynne!!! 

Medicine Wheels

Today Ms. Alexander came for her final visit. She showed us how to make real Medicine Wheels. We were really excited to put all of the beads on ourselves. When we were all done we added a photo of ourselves in the middle. 

When we were all finished Ms. Alexander taught us that there is no Aboriginal word for goodbye so instead we said "Meegwetch"which means "Thank You!"

Bus Ridership and Medicine Wheels

Today was a very busy day! In the morning Bus-Driver Bob came to visit. He taught us how to be safe on and around the bus. Here he was telling us about the "danger zone." 

We got to go on the bus and Bob showed us how to sit safely. He also showed us the emergency exits.

When we were all done, Bob helped us to practice leaving the bus through the back door.

In the afternoon, our artist came to visit again. This time she taught us about the Medicine Wheel. She taught us how the Medicine Wheel represents many things including the directions, stages of life, and seasons. We even got to make our own Medicine Wheels out of paper.

When we were finished, she read us a story about how roses got their thorns. We really liked all of the animals in the story!

Artist Visit

Today an artist came to visit our classroom.  Her name is Mrs. Alexander.  She is an Aboriginal artist.  When she visited us she let us play her hand drums. She sang two songs. She used the drum when she was singing. We danced like chickens to the sound of the drum. 

Touching some furry moccasins.

Mrs. Alexander brought many Aboriginal artifacts including some turtles and beadwork.

Learning how to play the hand drum.

This is a sash.

The rabbit fur was very soft.

We loved looking at the dream catchers.

I liked feeling the soft fur- Krystal

I liked feeling the bunny fur - Piper

It was fun with Mrs. Alexander - Kiera

I liked when we got to play the instruments - Mercedez

I like her (Mrs. Alexander) - Delilah