My Out-of-the-Box Thinkers

I've posted before about my passion for teaching kiddos to think outside the box. My class can even tell you what that phrase means. We read lots of stories throughout the year about kids who have "unique" ideas. Even characters like Tacky the Penguin can serve as an example of marching to the beat of your own drummer...and how that's ok. Whenever we do any kind of project, I always encourage them to create something different from everyone else, an original.

We made a pictograph the other day and I asked them to draw their favorite pet--along with the usual cats and dogs...the other answers I got were dinosaurs, sharks, penguins. I guess I should have been more specific. :) Needless to say our graph was very long.

The last day before the break I asked the kids to make cards for their parents. Color me stoked---I finally had a reason to break out my glitter paint! :) We made hand-print angels-the kids did the wings with their hands and then painted the face and halo. This is what one of my munchkins created:

Now I know many teachers would have fussed that she didn't follow directions, but I love it! She said it was a Ladybug Angel. Who knows, maybe that's what angels actually look like?

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday (and their vacations!)!