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Julia Nobel

Posts byJulia Nobel

River Builders

A few weeks ago, we had the perfect storm: a huge downpour of rain, followed by bright sunshine. Our puddles were ankle-deep, and the sun kept us warm and cozy!       Some of our friends decided to start building a river by filling a puddle and directing its course.      The tracked its progress, following its course until they reached the end.   
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Exploring (and Exploding!) Volcanoes

This week we put out coloured vinegar and baking soda and watched as our children became amateur chemists! When I play with volcanoes, I’m developing fine motor skills… …social awareness… …and scientific curiosity.      “Mine’s a rainbow.”    “Mine is ice cream blue.”                                “Can I have some baking soda?” “Sure!”      “Let’s make the colours explode.”  “The red is exploding!”    “Hey, if
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Inside Learning, Outside Learning

At Carrot Seed, we believe in Inside/Outside Learning.    We explore nature inside…                                     …and we explore nature outside.    We get messy inside…                                                …and we get messy outside.      We build inside…                                       …and we build outside.    We explore water inside…                                             …and we explore water outside.    We role play inside…                                     
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Colour Theory

Today two of our friends beckoned me to their table and said “Look at this kind of colour!” I asked them what colour it was, and one of them said “It’s green mixed with silver”, and the other one said “Maybe now it’s a green, or a grey.” Then somebody asked “What if we mix the silver with the purple?”     “Whoa, light purple!”    
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Decorating the House

   “We need to decorate the house!”                              “I’ll get some tires.”      “We’re making cookies for Santa.”                    “I’ll make some for his reindeer!”    “Is that the cookie you made for me?”               “Uh, actually you just sat on your cookie.”      “Can somebody help me move the tire?”       “Hey, you’re blocking my oven!”              
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The Mysterious Bubble Wrap

A friend brings a piece of bubble wrap to the light table, saying, “This bubble wrap is mysterious on the light table.” The same child pauses, and then says, “What does mysterious mean?” His friend says, “Mysterious means mysterious.”      A few seconds later, the first child gasps and say, “I know what mysterious means! It means something is very, very odd!”  


The Fueling Station

Some children find the parking spots another group had made the day before. They negotiate where everyone will park, and decide they need to add another stall.    Suddenly one friend stops, saying, “Uh oh, I think I ran out of fuel.” His friend asks, “What kind of fuel do you need?” “I need green fuel with leaves and rocks.” “Here you go!”  
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Spring Showers

“Ploomp go the first fat raindrops…” “Each little drop digs a dark little hole and the smell of wet dust tickles my nose.” “On the old tin roof of the garden shed the drops all try to talk at once…Ping Ping PingaDing…“ “…and they chuckle together as they run down the drain.” “Tomorrow I may find all the rain gone, with only a sparkle
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The Age Survey

Two days ago, a couple of children started walking around with clipboards and asking everyone how old they are. Today a larger group formed and started making the rounds. “How old are you?”  “I’m four.”    “I don’t know how to draw a four.”  “It looks like this, see?” “I can’t do that.”  “I’ll do it for you.”                        “See? This is how you do it!”
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A Pair of Painters

P needs a lot paint today! Another friend comes to paint. E says, “I need to paint too!” P offers the teddy bear and two paint pots.    Painting takes a momentary backseat when two girls come with a survey. They are asking everyone in the group how old they are.    Both girls return to painting, chatting, and observing each other.    E
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