Oceans - Our First Unit Study

This year we've experimented with some different structures for our preschool time.  Some failed because Reece was not a fan, others because the preparation required too much time or expense (printer ink!).  Our attic room isn't well heated, so that also prompted a move downstairs.  Since January we've settled on a new, more relaxed approach that has been working really well.  We try to do either a literacy or math activity most days and Reece gets to pick what he'd like to work on from a bin of materials.  Then, we work on our unit study.  This is mostly a pile of books from the library on a particular topic, with some hands-on activities here or there when appropriate.  It is low-key, low-preparation, and Reece is loving it.

Part of the new school corner - the beer box is filled with things that start with /m/, we swear!

Our alphabet box, unit study books, and bin of random learning materials.

We spent most of January learning about ocean animals.  We had fun with a good mix of fiction and non-fiction books, including two of Reece's favorites below.  Jellyfish and sharks were his favorite animals because the sharp teeth and stinging tentacles were pretty exciting (terrifying) to him.

                                    


The only hands-on component during this unit was our ocean sensory bin.  It's filled with water beads, shells, rocks, and these fantastic ocean creatures.  This was mostly just for play, but we also used it to practice some storytelling skills.  The story of choice was that one of the ocean creatures was sad because he didn't have any friends, then a shark came and tried to eat him, then another ocean creature saved him and became his friend.  Over and over and over again.  But Reece is developing some sense of plot.

He also happened to be a construction worker this day.

 We wrote our first non-fiction book during this unit, all about (you guessed it) - the ocean.  Reece came up with the sentences and Mommy or Daddy scribed for him (notice some scientific misunderstandings below).  We were also generally the artists, under his strict direction.  I was surprised to notice how cautious he was about doing the drawing and writing - he told me a number of times that he did not know how to write letters/draw sharks/etc.  I thought that kids were overly confident about these abilities until at least kindergarten, but I haven't exactly consulted my old child development textbooks recently.  Regardless, his possible perfectionist leaning has been duly noted and we'll be praising him a lot for effort rather than result with that in mind.

I had imagined pulling off more art projects and a trip to the aquarium, but eh, it didn't quite happen.  But that's the beauty of this approach - no real goals, so no guilt.  The point is just exposure to new things and following his interests.  It's relaxing and Reece has learned so much - success!