Preschoolers sketch sunflowers in their sketchbooks. Sketching builds fine motor skills for writing and encourages close observation.
![Hands-On Science](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696449344-LR8MHELBB79ICHVBX8KA/IMG_0518.jpg)
Different materials are provided as part of a study on water, floating and sinking. Students experiment with constructing aluminum foil boats that may carry cargo.
![Preschool Robots](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696450908-N39B64O29BHCMJ4VGORJ/IMG_0640.jpg)
Robots capture our imagination. Recycled materials (shoeboxes, extra paper, plastic pieces, bottle caps), foil, glue and tape are used to bring these robots to life.
![Recycled Robot](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696453070-NYL96QGVMYQAIJGUMU2L/IMG_0647.jpg)
Preschoolers used recycled and found materials together with play dough to create temporary and collaborative sculpture. "Look! It's a magical forest!"
![Sculpture, Colors from Nature](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696457430-6VUX4LOBM7O5H66TZNR4/IMG_0729.jpg)
Red clay, brown beads, sticks, recycled plastic, white pine needles were used to create sculptures reflecting the early winter colors seen in New England.
![Line and Form](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696458717-4EEFYJ8T145XCD16E0VX/IMG_0753.jpg)
Experimenting with graphics in paper, sand, and stones.
![IMG_0754.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696458853-Z3CMNW2MS4AEND2F6IQN/IMG_0754.jpg)
![Design In Stone and Sticks](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696460983-67ZJ9TCGKYNG36DUDQO4/IMG_0755.jpg)
Inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy, students arrange designs out of wood and stone on large sheets. Designing is collaborative work and when the group is ready, a photo is taken.
![IMG_0750.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696457165-LH0W7S650WIWO3QCWBYT/IMG_0750.jpg)
![Flower Prints](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696467491-RKWVLLDLPMAHIEJIUTGH/IMG_4660.jpg)
To welcome spring, we used recycled bottles to print flowers.
![Light Table Sculpture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696469801-0L9V13UCLF3YN2XBJ1OF/IMG_4650+copy+2.jpg)
Exploring light and dark: one morning the classroom is made darker and cozier and the smaller light sources shine!
![Color Mixing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696484183-X6ERGUWY3R3W2XOKF6O7/IMG_6361+copy.jpg)
Students explore color mixing on a large shiny sheet. Mastering the pipette grows the muscles we use for writing later on.
![Shadow puppets](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655444-VQEQF9F8GM9JP445VTCM/2012-12-17+09.38.52.jpg)
Children studied safari animals, made puppets, and created their own shadow play.
![Galaxy Goo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655424-60PT5GBZHNBXW5PUIXPS/2012-12-19+12.05.03.jpg)
The students' interest in space, astronauts and a general love of shiny things are explored in silly putty.
![Exploring Nature](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655771-XFF2NIDVKDZ06F74WSKL/2013-01-23+09.51.53.jpg)
Using a magnifying glass encourages close exploration of nature treasures.
![Self-portraits](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655694-NN535TL5C5PYR5X2YRWV/2013-02-20+17.50.22-2.jpg)
Children used black, red, white, and yellow paints, children mixed hues and created self-portraits.
![Bee Study](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183679650-Z603CBGXWY4IZ3QG1ZVT/2013-05-07+09.16.18.jpg)
When bees create hives nearby it is the perfect opportunity to study them closely.
![Popsicles for Sale](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183679497-RBE61ADUCCNAX0L537KW/2013-10-16+13.49.01.jpg)
![Neighborhood Mural](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183680346-CPSI1GKOXSY64PKKX1LP/2013-10-17+16.00.16-18.jpg)
![Fire Truck](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183680106-RUTMCTIKRFCD4F52OKRQ/2013-10-17+16.17.32-2.jpg)
A class trip to the fire station inspires art and provides a context for discussing safety.
![Water Table Potions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183681950-0S05JU01FKL09QALJ7XL/2013-11-04+09.34.52.jpg)
Children combine a growing understanding of conservation of liquids with their imaginations to make beautiful potions.
![Exploring slides at the light table](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183741989-EIJZAYBGHOUHD6IY5TYZ/IMG_4617+copy.jpg)
![Make your own...](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183656045-PPN00EHQDY2U3FLO8PCE/2013-03-22+18.05.55-1.jpg)
Combine snow and colors to make your own pretend sundae!
![IMG_5727 copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183829087-48RZJKPJJEA7JMSWGSGS/IMG_5727+copy.jpg)
![IMG_5107 copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183762700-GDUT4C9QLMYI7OSDCA9C/IMG_5107+copy.jpg)
![Sundae Toppings](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183764858-NQQ1WB1ASVM79QZV6MET/IMG_5105+copy.jpg)
![Sensory Exploration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183740737-MAY1S32MPT6ITKY55J0E/IMG_4634+copy.jpg)
![Silly Putty](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183747862-TYLB2GT9ZK4KT0P6092X/IMG_4641+copy.jpg)
![Collage Materials](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183750126-19DX0F5YC07BX9KJJ54Q/IMG_4841+copy.jpg)
Children are inspired to create when teachers take great care in the presentation of materials.
![Water Table Exploration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183799816-R591FAPF8RXRQ71J4MVR/IMG_6354+copy.jpg)
![Class books](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696447141-HYIK0LFP80BFBI8D1MKU/IMG_0161.jpg)
After reading Leo Lionni's Little Blue and Little Yellow, a class book is created. Every student designs a page with their own story.
![Hands-On Science](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696449344-LR8MHELBB79ICHVBX8KA/IMG_0518.jpg)
![Preschool Robots](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696450908-N39B64O29BHCMJ4VGORJ/IMG_0640.jpg)
![Recycled Robot](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696453070-NYL96QGVMYQAIJGUMU2L/IMG_0647.jpg)
![Sculpture, Colors from Nature](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696457430-6VUX4LOBM7O5H66TZNR4/IMG_0729.jpg)
![Line and Form](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696458717-4EEFYJ8T145XCD16E0VX/IMG_0753.jpg)
![IMG_0754.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696458853-Z3CMNW2MS4AEND2F6IQN/IMG_0754.jpg)
![Design In Stone and Sticks](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696460983-67ZJ9TCGKYNG36DUDQO4/IMG_0755.jpg)
![IMG_0750.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696457165-LH0W7S650WIWO3QCWBYT/IMG_0750.jpg)
![Flower Prints](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696467491-RKWVLLDLPMAHIEJIUTGH/IMG_4660.jpg)
![Light Table Sculpture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696469801-0L9V13UCLF3YN2XBJ1OF/IMG_4650+copy+2.jpg)
![Color Mixing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696484183-X6ERGUWY3R3W2XOKF6O7/IMG_6361+copy.jpg)
![Shadow puppets](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655444-VQEQF9F8GM9JP445VTCM/2012-12-17+09.38.52.jpg)
![Galaxy Goo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655424-60PT5GBZHNBXW5PUIXPS/2012-12-19+12.05.03.jpg)
![Exploring Nature](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655771-XFF2NIDVKDZ06F74WSKL/2013-01-23+09.51.53.jpg)
![Self-portraits](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183655694-NN535TL5C5PYR5X2YRWV/2013-02-20+17.50.22-2.jpg)
![Bee Study](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183679650-Z603CBGXWY4IZ3QG1ZVT/2013-05-07+09.16.18.jpg)
![Popsicles for Sale](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183679497-RBE61ADUCCNAX0L537KW/2013-10-16+13.49.01.jpg)
![Neighborhood Mural](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183680346-CPSI1GKOXSY64PKKX1LP/2013-10-17+16.00.16-18.jpg)
![Fire Truck](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183680106-RUTMCTIKRFCD4F52OKRQ/2013-10-17+16.17.32-2.jpg)
![Water Table Potions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183681950-0S05JU01FKL09QALJ7XL/2013-11-04+09.34.52.jpg)
![Exploring slides at the light table](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183741989-EIJZAYBGHOUHD6IY5TYZ/IMG_4617+copy.jpg)
![Make your own...](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183656045-PPN00EHQDY2U3FLO8PCE/2013-03-22+18.05.55-1.jpg)
![IMG_5727 copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183829087-48RZJKPJJEA7JMSWGSGS/IMG_5727+copy.jpg)
![IMG_5107 copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183762700-GDUT4C9QLMYI7OSDCA9C/IMG_5107+copy.jpg)
![Sundae Toppings](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183764858-NQQ1WB1ASVM79QZV6MET/IMG_5105+copy.jpg)
![Sensory Exploration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183740737-MAY1S32MPT6ITKY55J0E/IMG_4634+copy.jpg)
![Silly Putty](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183747862-TYLB2GT9ZK4KT0P6092X/IMG_4641+copy.jpg)
![Collage Materials](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183750126-19DX0F5YC07BX9KJJ54Q/IMG_4841+copy.jpg)
![Water Table Exploration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1452183799816-R591FAPF8RXRQ71J4MVR/IMG_6354+copy.jpg)
![Class books](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5540fec3e4b077b755ff7a2f/1440696447141-HYIK0LFP80BFBI8D1MKU/IMG_0161.jpg)