TerraNichol Academy
Weekly Blog February 18th-21st, 2020
Our journey through learning labs this week.
Edgar Degas is the star of our art appreciation! Students have learned that Degas was born in Paris France to a wealthy family. He was inspired to sketch and paint. In the beginning, he painted mostly what he saw when he visited museums on the many trips he took with his father. Then while in art school he was given some life-changing advice to be his artist and create his art rather than recreating the art of others. He took this advice to heart and carried a sketch pad everywhere he went drawing everything that he observed people doing; activities like brushing their hair or taking a dance class. Edgar Degas is such an inspiring artist for our students because he reinforces what you can accomplish when you think and create for yourself.
Students have created dancers inspired by Degas' "The Little Dancer", designing dancing tutus using watercolors.
The learning labs were centered around our students working on science, fine motor and sensory exploration, creating postcards and letters in writing workshops, and math activities. We have been engaged in many science activities that help in developing observation, recording, and prediction. Using tweezers, and scoops to transfer objects to build fine motor prewriting skills. Sensory exploration supported fine motor development scooping and filling, rolling, shaping, cutting with a variety of materials from water, to salt, to play dough!
The Michelangelo project was so much fun that students expressed they want to paint like him every day!
We couldn’t go and visit any of Michelangelo’s work – however, we used the Internet and some books to explore Michelangelo looking at the variety of different artwork that he completed and where he worked and lived. We started by viewing the images on the site and images in art history books. We were able to see the variety of his work from the Statue David to the Sistine chapel. The Sistine Chapel grabbed the student’s attention. A picture of the chapel brought about the question… “how did he paint it”, Student’s first suggestion has he painted it on paper and then someone glued it to the roof of the building. Some further investigation and we discovered that he used scaffolds and laid down to paint his images. So we gave it a go just like Michelangelo. Miss Terra set up the painting project so that students could paint on their back just like he did on the scaffolds. Student feedback--This is hard Miss Terra! This is fun Miss Terra. I would love to do this outside. It is hard to concentrate painting on my back, Miss Terra.
We had a Jazzy time this month. The rich rhythms and stories in jazz music ignite students to write, sing, sketch, and soar. Exposing students to Jazz music benefits students by allowing them to appreciate Jazz music and the influence that it has on other genres. It also taught students about jazz bands and the many jazz instruments! The students were so connected in many different ways.
Motor planning is the ability of the brain to conceive, organize, plan and carry out a skilled, non-habitual motor act in the correct sequence from beginning to end. We will continue working on motor planning with students during outdoor play, Zumba, Creative dance and yoga.
In addition to being a fun and healthy form of exercise for our students, there are many benefits of Zumba for kids. These include teaching children to lead active lives, combating obesity, teaching body coordination, helping children to develop healthy friendships with other peers, and encouraging children to explore the world of dance and fitness. Zumba also allows teachers and kids to share the fun together. We sparked the student's thoughts about Zumba Dance parties by questioning them on How do you feel after the Zumba workshop? or What are some of your favorite Zumba dance songs? They also created a sketch of their answers.
Upcoming Reggio Emilia Curriculum Approach projects in March:
We will enter the world of Andy Warhol by observing his very famous pop art pieces such as Marilyn Monroe, soup cans, and coke bottles. He was part of the pop art movement. We will discuss some interesting facts about our featured artist such as how he started a place called, The Factory which was an art studio where prints and posters were produced. He loved cats and made many images of them. He loved to use bright colors and silk screening techniques based on publicity photographs of stars.
Dr. Seuss will be loose in the school! We have a wacky loose parts table set up to create, imagine and explore critical thinking skills. We will celebrate the author by reading some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books during literacy and poetry workshops.
Shake, rattle and roll! Let's explore American Rock and Roll and artists such as Elvis Presley. Just SWING! Students will also be introduced to swing big band music.
We will continue caring for our garden. Gardening provides different forms of engagement for children, including designing, planting, and maintaining gardens. Harvesting, preparing, and sharing food; working cooperatively in groups; learning about science and nutrition, and creating art and stories inspired by gardens are some of the many benefits. We will explore culinary arts workshop by creating food art. We decided that we will use all organic vegetables as many children do not know what vegetables are nor are they exposed to a variety of vegetables. We see many fruits packed in lunch boxes by rarely any vegetables such as kale, beets, spinach, peas, zucchini or squash. We will expose the students to more exotic fruits such as papaya, starfruit, and dragon fruit.
Yoga: We will begin our journey through "Racheal's Day in the Garden story".
In their science projects, students will be experimenting with the weather. We will explore tornados, wind, and rain, making clouds, cloud sketches and rainbow writing pieces.
We are looking forward to our next learning journey!
Mark Your Calendars-View Your March Curriculum Calendar
We will be celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday in March this first part of March.
March 2nd come to school in your pajamas. Teaching team's favorite day of the year.
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss. March 3rd will be Silly Sock day.
March 4th is Wacky Wednesday. Come dress to school wacky. The best most creative wacky outfit will win a kids cup or cone to A Better Scoop ice cream shop.
Mark You Calendars
March
12th (TH) School Closed for Teacher Professional Day
13th-20th (F-F) School Closed for Spring Break
April
3rd (F) School Closed for Teacher Professional Day
10th (F) School Closed for Good Friday
13th‑17th (M-F) Week of the Young Child
13th ‑ 17th (M-F) Art Gallery Viewing
22nd (W) Earth Day Bash This is a Regular School Day with a Typical School Daily Rhythm
March
T 3rd Different Colored Shoe Day
T 10th National Day of Awesomeness
F 20th Day of Happiness
April
TH 9th Unicorn Day
13th-17th Week of the Young Child
TH 16th Save the Elephant Day
W 18th Earth Day Bash
23rd Take Your Child to Work Day
Registration/Re-enrollment for Existing student and siblings. Open Enrollment 2020-2121
2020-2121 Enrollment
****Enrollment Packages for students will go out in student's take-home folders the month of MARCH. Please be sure that you received your packet and marked enrollment deadlines!
Enrollment for 2020-2121 School Year
Based on many inquiries to the school about new enrollment and new families already securing their space in the program for the 2020-2021 school year we will be sending out re-enrollment for our existing students and siblings in March. Typically we do this in April but because of the volume of interest for next year, we will need to evaluate space in the program for new incoming students. Be on the watch for information coming out to all families in March 2020. This will include our Kindergarten and First Grade program.
Re-enrollment forms and Registration Fees submitted by the deadline will guarantee the student's space for the upcoming school year. If forms and registration fee is not submitted by the deadline we will assume you are forfeiting your space.
Art Gallery Showcase!
Art Gallery Showcase!
TerraNichol Academy of The Arts Annual Spring Art Gallery Children's Showcase.
The students will have several art masterpieces they have worked on throughout the school year. Each student's showcase is $75 per student.
We host our Annual Art Gallery Showcase the month of April to celebrate "Week of the Young Child". April 13th-16th, 2020
The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and families.
The Annual School Fundraiser supports our visual and performing arts program here at TerraNichol Academy of The Arts. ART FOR ARTS' SAKE!!
TerraNichol Academy's 15th Annual Art Gallery Children’s Showcase
Our School’s Big Fundraiser!!!
Security and Safety on Campus
Parent CO-OP Volunteer Program
This is the last semester to complete your 12 volunteer hours for the school year.
We still have many parents that still need to earn volunteer hours. Some of you have asked how you can help. Please see the list below.
- Remove old wooden spools, debris, and broken toys from the playscape area. (Spring Cleaning) A parent that has a truck and trailer.
- Handyman-Fix and replace wood on the little playhouses.
- Clean up garden and prep garden for summer closure the month of May.
- New bikes
- Make rainbow-colored rice for the sensory bins month of March. (See recipe from Pinterest)
- Make a few calming bottles. (See picture from Pinterest)
- Donate sunflower plants
- Donate a few bags of birdseed.
- Amazon Donation list.
- Repair and sew puppets and finger puppets.
- We need two parent mentors for the month MARCH AND APRIL.
TERRANICHOL ACADEMY OF THE ARTS INNOVATIVE PROGRESSIVE REGGIO EMILIA PRIVATE PRESCHOOL
RSVP Click on the link to submit a letter of intent and application prior to the tour.
http://www.terranichol.com/parents
TerraNichol Academy of The Arts School is the kind of school parents expect, educators celebrate and children adore. Our approach to learning celebrates the great potential of young children, with the goal of nurturing self-motivated, life-long learners. The learning labs are guided by our Master Teachers as well as the Founder of TerraNichol Academy of The Arts Preschool with a low teacher-to-child ratio to allow for one-on-one engagement and thoughtful observation. Join our small community school for a backstage tour and be inspired by our thoughtful team of Early Childhood Educators here at TerraNichol Academy.
Come and Explore our Reggio Emilia program at TerraNichol Academy acclaimed for the stunning environments, their educators who create, provoke and dazzle the student's senses, invite curiosity and discovery, and most importantly, foster strong, respectful meaningful relationships.
Come learn about the values for children in the program:
Being a home away from home
connecting children to their families
helping children to be powerful and active
being a steward of the natural world
seeing oneself as a capable learner
recognizing and being curious
We provide a school environment that is beautiful and taken care of with an attitude of care so that parents, children, and teachers want to come to school every day.
It is with intelligent heart and courage that we continue our goals and vision to continue to proceed with the work of a child.
March 9th @9:30pm
April 20th @9: 30 pm
May 11th @9:30pm
June 8th @9:30 pm
Email: terranicholacademy@gmail.com
Website: www.terranichol.com
Location: 701 Old Englewood Road, Englewood, FL, United States
Phone: 941474200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerraNichol-Academy-of-The-Arts-School-257753271185/
Twitter: @terranichol