Until next time,
Dan DeMarco
Today the Anglerfish made reindeer crowns with antlers out of construction paper and glue! We started by cutting bands of construction paper to fit around the head. Some kids were worried that their heads were too big, but they were comforted by the fact that I had managed to make one fit around my head, which is apparently grossly oversized. Next, we drew out some antlers to add to our crowns! Some kids weren't sure how to draw antlers, so the older kids shared an antler they had made for the younger kids to trace. The kids had a lot of fun with this project! We will have to invest more in wearable crafts in the future.
Until next time, Dan DeMarco
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Today the Anglerfish got a sweet treat! They were each given 4 marshmallows, 6 chocolate chips, frosting, and pretzel sticks to create some sort of marshmallow structure with. As is usually the case when sugar is involved, the ASP Anglerfish went at this project with enthusiasm and much gusto! Edible art was a fun, new idea, and this project got a lot of smiles and approval from the kids. Success!
Sneaking some marshmallows, Dan DeMarco Today ASP decided to tackle a classic arts-and-crafts activity: paper bag puppets! Using paper bags, foam pieces, and cotton balls, the Anglerfish got to work creating some adorable puppet friends! Feeling good about this week!
Dan DeMarco With the weather turning frosty, and the surplus of paper plates from our paper plate owl project, we decided to make some paper plate snowflakes today! Having a circular template for the snowflakes brought out some interesting patterns. The older kids also helped the young ones who were having trouble cutting through the folded up paper plates, which was great to see. All in all, this was a nice, laid back craft that let the kids be hands-on and creative. Fun!
Wearing my mustache as I type this, Dan DeMarco Today for our seasonal snack we made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! We assembled our ingredients and got to work, making sure there were no eggs due to allergies. Turns out, applesauce makes an excellent egg replacement! The cookies took a bit longer to bake than expected, possibly due to the pumpkin mix slowing things down a bit. But the end result was delicious. Happy students. I'd definitely call this cooking project a success!
Feeling culinary, Dan DeMarco Today ASP made owls out of paper plates! The idea was simple: fold a paper plate to resemble a bird, color in its wings and belly feathers, and add eyes, a beak, feet, and more bird accoutrements made out of construction paper. Yet again, the ASP Anglerfish amazed me with their creativity and zaniness. The best part is, after we were done making our owls, we were asked to use them to adorn the front desk! Adorable! Having an owl of a time (does that make sense?),
Dan DeMarco Reading has always been an important part of ASP. We've nearly completed our first read-aloud book, Louis Sachar's Holes. It's time for the kids to choose their new book. Over the past few days, they've put suggestions for books in the Idea Box. Today, we vote! Feeling ready to read,
Dan DeMarco Today the kids went out into the playground and collected leaves to make leaf rubbings with! Afterwards, we were able to decorate the Doodle Wall with our creations! Time to take my leaf(ve),
Dan DeMarco Last week the kids began creating potential mascots for ASP. Today, the candidates held rallies and we voted for our new ASP mascot! The kids created posters for their mascot candidates and pinned them to the Doodle Wall. Sad Butterfly, The Fire Lion, and Sad Anglerfish With Butterfly Wings That's Misunderstood quickly blazed ahead in the polls. Some kids also gave speeches on why their candidate was best suited for the role of ASP mascot. Alex in particular gave a stirring monologue on how Sad Anglerfish came from a destitute town with "no resources". A few kids who did not want to vote invited a discussion on the importance of participation in ASP, as well as in elections in our country. What started out as a fun ASP activity expanded into an exploration of our political process!
Perhaps as a result of his incredible PR team, the Sad Anglerfish With Butterfly Wings That's Misunderstood was elected to be ASP's mascot this year. I can only hope next year's rally brings as much excitement and creativity! You heard it here first! Dan DeMarco Today ASP embarked on a scavenger hunt on the playground! The ASP students came up with what we should look for and put their suggestions in the Idea Box. Each student was required to find one piece of trash on their hunt, but many collected much more than one piece. The kids collected their objects in bags and carried them around like trophies when they were done. Many asked if we could keep them in the GD space forever. We'll see. Feeling green,
Dan DeMarco |
AuthorDan DeMarco is the K-6 ASP Coordinator at Willowwind School. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2014 with a BA in English. This is his second year at Willowwind. Archives
February 2016
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