Tag Archives: kindergarten

Jul13

kinder-kat.

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What better place to learn your ABC’s and 123’s than inside of a giant building shaped like a cat?

The kids who attend Kindergarten in Karlsruhe, Germany, do so in a giant feline.

Constructed in 2011 and designed by artist, Tomi Ungerer and architect, Ayla Suzan Yöndel, the whimsical kindergarten is in a big white cat building that includes a door for a mouth below a whisker-lined nose, windows for eyes, and a classroom in its belly. For added fun, kids can even ride down its tail that doubles as a slide.

In terms of architecture that inspires a playful imagination, the Kindergarten Wolfartsweier is remarkable for its embrace of an alternative, animalistic design for what a school can be.

“design is where science and art break even.”

-robin mathew(s)

 

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source credits: Atlas Obscura, My Modern Met, Milk magazine, inthralled.com,

 

 

Jun10

on the last day.

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on the last day

in the last hour

of a wild ride

in a year of ups and downs

we all made it through

 the kinder emerged stronger than ever

taking a final gentle walk

into the sunshowers of summer.

 

—

“now shall i walk or shall i ride? ‘ride,’ pleasure said; ‘walk’ joy replied.”

-w.h.davies

 

Sep17

most unusual day.

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today is the first day back at school

i imagine the kinder calmly gliding into nature with me

all possibilities are on the table

 could be more like the picture below

most likely will fall somewhere in between. 

“today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.”

-william arthur ward

 

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photo credits: vintage pinterest, gamma-keystone london

 

Apr10

thirty minutes.

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each of our faculty members

were allowed to go into their room alone for 30 minutes

during that time we could take

whatever we imagined we might need

to teach school — for the rest of the year.

walking into my building, it was silent

 i saw the ‘welcome back to the sun’ and ‘happy spring’ artwork

my class had created for the hall

expecting to be back soon after our spring break

walking into my classroom

it was sad

left as it was back in mid-march

memories, things undone, things i wish i could still do with my class

cards, and art, and notes, and pictures, and colors, and books

30 minutes to decide what to take

 i filled my bags with toys and books and art and puppets

 anything i thought might make my kinder feel a sense of comfort

as i teach them from afar and show them familiar things

 it was hard to close the door on the year

 knowing i will stay connected to each of them

but also knowing

something will be lost

in not spending my school days

sharing a room with them.

—

“time flies over us, 

but leaves its shadow behind. “

-nathaniel hawthorne

Feb22

i love cinnamon.

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‘i love cinnamon and baking with my mom.’ – h

—

 class bakery day

 the children worked

very hard

over the last few weeks

learning

about bread

about baking

how sharing bread is a way to welcome others

 every culture makes and eats and shares bread

listened to books about bread and baking

practiced ‘baking’ with play-dough

baked real lemon bread at school

baked breads at home

bought breads at the store

made signs and decorated tables

learned about buying and selling using pennies

gave other classes pennies

that they had to ‘earn’ by working in their rooms

invited other classes, faculty, staff, and families

to come to our room for a big bakery event

said they would give pennies or free bread

to anyone who had no money or food

families supported their efforts

making this day so special

 everyone went home

very full, very tired, very happy.

the bakery in full swing

“anyone who gives you a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven is a friend for life.”

-daniel handler

Nov22

little pockets, big ideas.

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where did your snack go?

it’s all gone.

where did it all go?

just a big smile

and very full pockets.

clever really.

never hurts to be prepared for anything.

 

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“you have to create little pockets of joy in your life to take care of yourself.”

-jonathan van ness

Oct15

flying high.

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flying high at our class circus.

 

—

“as one, they leap, laughing,

and that is where we leave them –

mouths open, arms spread wide,

fingers splayed to take in the whole world,

bodies flying high in defiance of gravity, 

as if they will never fall.”

– libba bray