Children learn in many different ways and styles. One way to share our learning is to work in small groups of peers on projects or tasks that require children to interact together. Combined with our love of the outdoors, we thought that a fun learning activity would be to do some observational drawings outside in groups. We attached large pieces of paper to the fence and the children were in groups of 3 or 4, with one child acting as the facilitator. The facilitator helps to keep the group on task and tells Mrs. Shields or Ms. Alison when they are done or if they need assistance. The children worked together to paint what they saw, share paper space and paints. |
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 On a beautiful day, we decided to take our learning outside and do some group observational drawings. We attached large pieces of paper to the fence and brought paints outside for the children.  Adams and Nolan both see some yellow leaves on the trees that they are looking at. Adam also adds the sun peeking through the trees.  Osawese, Cassie and Caroline are all very intent on their work!  Caroline and Cassie paint what they see as Shawn'ae, Cassie and Kat get the color of paint that they need to add to their paintings.  Room 107 artists and observers are very busy working in our "outdoor classroom"!  Summer adds a red detail for "some of the leaves are red at the top of this tree. They are probably going to fall down soon."  Theo adds the finishing touches as he sees some grass and includes that in the painting.  Vasilia works on her painting until the last minute! After completing the paintings outside in our small groups, we wait until the next day for the art work to dry. During the course of the next few days, the small groups are brought together again to reflect on their work and talk about how their groups worked together and what they learned.  Mia, Max and Calum share about their group painting.  Cassie explains the colors that she used in her painting as Kat watches  Adam, Theo and Nolan are proud of their fantastic painting that includes trees, falling leaves, the sky and the sun!  Shawn'ae, Sienna and Osawese talk with each other about their painting. Shawn'ae shares that there were "a lot of leaves on the ground falling from the trees that we saw."  Seamus shows the path to the playground. "The red tunnel was not in the plan that they made at first", but then they added it to the painting. Such great observations and teamwork! |
 2 small groups are working here painting the trees and foliage that they see behind the fence where they are working.  Sienna, Shawn'ae and Michelle all decide which part of the paper they should use for their own paintings and then work on what they are observing.  Mia says that she "needs brown for the bark of the tree-the trunk".  Ethan and Seamus work on their painting. Their group talked about what to paint, and decided to paint the play structure and the playground that they can observe from their spot.  Busy groups working and enjoying the outdoors!  Theo, Adam and Nolan add some details to the painting. Nolan thinks Theo's tree needs a few more leaves so he helps to add some.  Seamus is proud of the final playground painting.  Vasilia and Theo clean up their groups supplies. Great cooperation and teamwork! Mrs. Shields talked with each group individually to reflect on their work and have them share about each person's contribution to the group painting. She also recorded some children explaining their work and let them view it to think if they wanted to add any more details or explanations of what they observed.  Calum shares about his part of the group project.  Caroline shares what she observed outside.  Vasilia says that the sun was"peeking through just a little, little bit...through the leaves on the tree!"  Vasilia, Summer and Sarah are proud of their artwork and proud of each other!  Jayden, Ethan and Seamus share the details of their painting of the playground. Seamus said they "made a plan that they would make the things that they saw on the playground. Some of the things thta we put in the painting were not in the plan, though." |
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