Leah ended our STEAM project month with Math, incorporating fun projects that involve both numbers and strategy. The kids used geometric shapes of their choice and matched them up to form beautiful works of art. They also designed 3D sculptures out of craft sticks and managed to create a 21 sided shape, called a Icosikaihenagon (eye-kosi-ki-heni-gon). On our first half day of November, we had "MAP Rocks", where we had several activities centered around music and talent! Kids had the opportunity to create their own unique instruments, design their own rockin' wardrobe, and put it all together in our MAP's Got Talent Show!
Desiree followed up with her project week, "Falling Leaves" where kids created an unbeleafable range of gorgeous projects like crayon leaf rubbings, cards designs with leaf cut outs and leaf "snowflakes". Katelyn offered her project week, "Trash to Treasure", exploring the several ways one can upcycle, restore, and turn something ordinary into something extraordinary! Kids repurposed, reused, and recycled bottle caps into decorative pins, rocks into a tic-tac-toe set, and turned literal trash into treasure! We ended the month with gearing up for the Holiday Stroll and a Pay It Forward day before Thanksgiving.
November Enrichment Days:
Eric showed a video from the What Would You Do? show in which a man being harassed by a smoothie bar employee about not being able to read what was on the menu. Kids were shocked to realize that, depending on an individual's upbringing, they may not have had the same opportunities some have now to go to school and learn how to read. It also encouraged kids to be kind to others despite their differences!
Nov. 15: Desiree introduced MAP kids to an exciting video on the reason leaves change colors in the fall. Fun fact: It isn't because it gets "colder", but because they lack necessary nutrients from the sun and we see less of the sun, as winter approaches!
Nov. 20: Katelyn gave a small presentation along with a video on how much trash our country throws away each day (220 million tons) and encouraged kids to expand their perspective on what our trash can be turned into!
Second Round of Clubs have begun.
Tom's "Dungeons & Dragons" Club on
Monday
: The kids are loving the opportunity to react to adventurous stories and deciding how to react with the powers earned in the game. Tom does an amazing job with the storytelling piece, adding humor and creativity.
Katelyn's "Crafty Cupcakes" Club on
Tuesday
: During "Crafty Cupcakes" club kids are limited on time so need to work together to figure out how to effectively distribute responsibilities and get the job done! Members have had the challenge of recreating some challenging cupcakes decorations, designing an admission ticket for Carnival day, a stack of delicious pancakes for Breakfast day and oceanic mini cupcakes for Under the Sea.
Maddie's "Pickleball" Club on
Wednesday had to be postponed due to the Park & Rec youth basketball in the main hall. This will give some of the kids the opportunity to focus on their presentation of the Polar Express. Maddie will run Pickleball Club later this year.
Nicole's "Yarn" Club on
Thursday
: Nicole's Yarn Club has begun several projects such as weaving and creating pom pom animals, such as puppies, lions, and more.
*New* Funtastic Friday,
Nerf Wars
: Our second Funtastic Friday theme for the next three weeks WAS nerf wars! The gym is divided and set up as war zone. Kids and teachers alike have had a blast going head-to-head in an ultimate nerf showdown! Our next Funtastic Friday theme will be: Foodie Fridays in which the kids will experiment in the kitchen!
November Mappy Birthdays:
Michael F. (Nov. 16), Patrick F. (Nov. 16), Tahlia E. (Nov. 19), Reya E. ( Nov. 19)