Bubbles for Breakfast
This particular morning we were having bagels, fruit, and milk. The added twist that made this day more special, than the day before, was that we gave the children little straws. It was magical, each child smiled and a few squealed with joy as they pulled the thin white paper to free the straw. Then quickly put the straw in the milk and drank. My neighbor for breakfast told me that the milk was "delicious" I reminded him that we have milk every day and he told me that "Today my milk is the best" He pulled out the straw, gave it a quick lick, and put it back into his milk cup. Soon another child exclaimed, "I am making bubbles!" I looked over and asked, "How?" She told me that she just blows on the straw and the bubbles "appear". At this point, I had a table full of bubble blowers. I tried but to the dismay of the class, I was unable to make bubbles. I ask if I should try in a cup of water? Just then a child to my left tells me in his very soft voice "Ms. Addie you have to make air come out of your body and into the straw, like this" He took his straw in his hand, places it to his lips, and blows out into his other hand. I again, try my hand at “milk bubble blowing”, doing just as I was told and just as described I MADE MILK BUBBLES! 17 of my very best friends cheered! They were so loud that the reading recovery teacher comes over to see what miracle had occurred in preschool. A boy explains to her that I just learned to blow bubbles in my milk. A girl asked Ms. Bush if she'd would like to try and she agrees, so one child gives her a cup and a straw and another pours the milk. My neighbor yells “Now go” When I tell you the joy and pride that those children had that morning was enough to end the day, it even still would be an understatement.
As we tend to do in our classroom, we decided to build on the conversations and interests of the children. The idea of blowing air and creating wind became our focus of the day. I quickly went to my teachers' cabinet and found that I had everything I needed to make "Bubble Prints".
I really wanted the children to get the concept that wind is moving air. As the children joined me at circle time I once again had straws, this time I also brought along: a bowl, cup of water, tempera paint, plain white paper, and hand soap. First, we discussed how to make things move using the straws. I asked them to find things around the classroom that would move with the wind they produced when using the straw to blow. This was a fun activity, with the children learning that they could not move a rock but could move a tissue.
Secondly, I allowed the children to lead the conversation as to how we were going to get bubbles on the paper. They discussed ideas and their thoughts were respected. We took turns trying ideas until we found what worked, together, with very little input from me. Children are very capable thinkers when given the space to explore trail and error.
Our Small Group activity of the day, Bubble Prints!
Materials needed:
How To:
We allowed the children to mix all the materials, manipulating until the desired consistency.
The children also practiced blowing out into the cup of water first. Then inhaling to get the idea that if they inhale they are going to ”drink” the bubbles.
The joy that my class had making these prints was a true testament that it is not the product but the process where we can find the most learning.
As we tend to do in our classroom, we decided to build on the conversations and interests of the children. The idea of blowing air and creating wind became our focus of the day. I quickly went to my teachers' cabinet and found that I had everything I needed to make "Bubble Prints".
I really wanted the children to get the concept that wind is moving air. As the children joined me at circle time I once again had straws, this time I also brought along: a bowl, cup of water, tempera paint, plain white paper, and hand soap. First, we discussed how to make things move using the straws. I asked them to find things around the classroom that would move with the wind they produced when using the straw to blow. This was a fun activity, with the children learning that they could not move a rock but could move a tissue.
Secondly, I allowed the children to lead the conversation as to how we were going to get bubbles on the paper. They discussed ideas and their thoughts were respected. We took turns trying ideas until we found what worked, together, with very little input from me. Children are very capable thinkers when given the space to explore trail and error.
Our Small Group activity of the day, Bubble Prints!
Materials needed:
- Heavy Paper of any color
- Tempera Paint of various colors
- Cup of water
- Non-toxic soap ( we used the children's hand soap)
- Straws (of course )
How To:
We allowed the children to mix all the materials, manipulating until the desired consistency.
The children also practiced blowing out into the cup of water first. Then inhaling to get the idea that if they inhale they are going to ”drink” the bubbles.
The joy that my class had making these prints was a true testament that it is not the product but the process where we can find the most learning.
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