TerraNichol Academy of the Arts
Our journey through our learning labs this week.
School Blog November 11th-15th, 2019
Our Story: All About Learning Labs
This week the well-created Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum presented many opportunities to learn new things. We discovered the scientific parts of apples and pumpkins. Through math discovery, we explored weighing and measuring apples and pumpkins and gained new math skills. The most fascinating project proclaimed by the students was the Pumpkin Woodworking Workshop. Yes, the TNA students loved using the real hammer to manipulate golf tees into the pumpkin gaining new skills in our fine motor development and also learning about safety when using the hand tools.
In yoga workshop I have noticed that students are starting to challenge themselves with holding the pose for a longer count, working on balance, wanting me to show them the sequence flow to gain new skills and mastering the November yoga poses. All students seem very interested in developing a yoga space or sanctuary space at home to continue their practice and demonstrate what they learn at school for their parents. Gifting yoga resources may be a great holiday gift for students to encourage mindfulness at home.
What is a pattern? Patterns are arrangements of things that repeat in a logical way. Those arrangements of colors, shapes, gestures, sounds, images, and numbers are a crucial concept for young kids and contribute heavily to their early math understanding. We have been working on how to create a pattern through theme-based projects and art appreciation.
We are a little ahead of the monthly curriculum. So next week we will work on making warm cider for Culinary arts and homemade bread. Lego and marble ramps, turkey sketches, painting with feathers at the art easels outside and creative movement target toss game.
Ciao, Ciao, Terra Tominelli~ Founder
Artsy School!
Drum Circle for Music Appreciation
and Drama Workshop.
Art Enrichment Workshop with Miss Kristi!
Shrinky Dink Art Workshop!
Do you remember as a kid making shrinky Dink Art? I think it was an 80's rage.
You would color on the shrinky dink plastic and then watch your colorful creation shrink down to an itty bitty size. As a kid, watching your creation shrink in the oven was magic! Did you know that you don't need that special shrink film to make your own shrinky dinks? If you have leftover plastic containers at home, say from take out containers or store-bought cookie containers (look for plastic with the recycle triangle #6), you can make shrinky dinks!
We are creating a butterfly self-portrait shrinky dink art canvas. So much fun! Miss Kristi will be coming next week to work with the students on the second step process of the canvas.
Our Enrichment Journey for this month!
Atelier/Art Studio: We have entered the amazing minds of the very famous artists Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dali. WOW! So far this has been an exquisite journey. Two very eccentric souls!
Through our eyes, like Frida's, we each see the world differently. Frida Kahlo’s Mexican heritage, home, and culture figured prominently in her artwork and self-identity. The students will continue to dive into a Frida Art Appreciation masterpiece that involves our friendly and kind soul Valentino. It will be a surprise!
Art studio provocation and inquiry questions school to home connection.
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What do you see in the picture?
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What does this painting tell you about Frida Kahlo?
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What does this painting tell you about Mexico?
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What does it tell you about the way Frida Kahlo sees the United States?
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What is most interesting to you about the picture?
What do you think Salvador Dali was thinking about when he painted this?
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What questions would you ask Frida Kahlo or Salvador Dali if you could discuss this painting with them?
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What other questions would you ask Frida Kahlo or Salvador Dali about their artwork in general?
Salvador Dali was born in 1909 in a place called Catalonia, Spain.
He was one of the greatest of the surrealist group of Artists.
He was best known for his ability to translate dreams into artwork. He described his work as "hand-painted dream photographs".
Salvador was also a sculptor, filmmaker, writer, jewelry designer, book illustrator and worked in theatre. Salvador always acted strangely and some people thought he was insane but he might have just wanted them to believe that he was.
Perhaps his best-known painting is The Persistence of Memory (see below) done in 1931 and shows melting clocks.
The students have begun creating self-portraits that include his crazy mustache. We discussed in depth his famous masterpiece The Persistence of Memory and the students were very impressed with the tiny ants and melting clocks that he created in this masterpiece.
We will also be incorporating songs about Artists. Are You Serious? About Salvador Dali and a groovy tune about Frida Kahlo!
Home to school connection: check out some developmentally appropriate books about our featured artists. Visit the Dali Museum located in St. Pete. A great family day trip!
Gratitude Yoga Flow!
Thank you to all our October and November Parent Volunteers!
"We wish we had more time throughout the day", says every teacher.
We are so very grateful for our parent tribe for helping the teaching team each month.
Thank you for your supporting the wish list donations for the month of October/November.
Thank you to the families for supporting our local school store.
CAUTION!!! IS YOUR CHILD ENJOYING THE BLOG WITH YOU!!???
The Meaning Behind the School Blog
Discovering Math and Science at Home.
Parents have a unique opportunity to provide hands-on appropriate math and science experiences for their children. What better way to learn about numbers than sorting, folding, and counting socks or gathering the right number of utensils to set the table?
Measurement becomes real when using a measuring cup to get the correct amount of milk to add to a mixing bowl when making a favorite family recipe. When you create opportunities for your child to help you with household tasks your enthusiasm for mathematical and scientific concepts, will support your child's enthusiasm.
Science is also a topic that fits naturally in the context of the home. Using detergent in the washing machine or observing herbs growing on the window sill are all examples of science experiences. Support a spirit of inquiry with your child as you interact and learn about the world in which you live.
Upcoming in November
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
25th‑29th School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
December
20th ‑Jan. 6th School Closed for Winter Break
January
7th School Resumes
20th School Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February
3rd School Closed for Professional Day
14th School Closed for Mini Break
17th School Closed for President's Day
November
20th Universal Children’s Day
December
3rd Giving Tuesday
12th Gingerbread House Day
January
3rd Giving Tuesday
12th Gingerbread House Day
Lunch Notes
We diffuse OnGuard Essential oils for prevention.
How can you help to eliminate the germs and bacteria lingering in the air that your child inhales everyday? With cold and flu season just around the corner, it is best not to be caught off-guard.
Diffusing OnGuard® into the air aids eliminating germs and bacteria brought home by your children being expose in the community, sport activities, or play dates. And before bringing your child to crowded places, drop a few drops of OnGuard® essential oil and rub it beneath your child's feet. It's an instant immunity booster for your child!
Order Essential oils from our school store site.
Winter Cold and Flu Prevention-Holistic Approach
TERRANICHOL ACADEMY OF THE ARTS INNOVATIVE PROGRESSIVE REGGIO EMILIA PRIVATE PRESCHOOL
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 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 students 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 about
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 the work of a child.
RSVP today!
Submit school admissions application by visiting our website if you will be attending the next upcoming tour on
December 9th @4:30pm
January 13th @4:30pm
February 10th @4:30pm
March 9th @4:30pm
April 13th @4:30pm
May 11th @4:30pm.
School Admission Application:www.terranichol.com
http://www.terranichol.com/index.php…Email: terranicholacademy@gmail.com
Website: www.terranichol.com
Location: 701 Old Englewood Road, Englewood, FL, United States
Phone: 941-474-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerraNichol-Academy-of-The-Arts-School-257753271185/?ref=hl
Twitter: @terranichol