Sunday, January 18, 2015

Sharing our Story of Fairy Lane

This weekend I had the privilege of sharing the story of Fairy Lane with a group of Early Childhood Educators at a local conference.
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Sharing the various activities that got us started, showing the children’s interest in fairies and the value of being out in nature.
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The participants were welcomed with an adventure bag on their chairs.  In each bag held a clipboard with paper to take notes or sketch ideas for their fairy and door.  These are the same bags that the children at StrongStart use when we are on our outings.
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Although I was initially nervous it was very enjoyable sharing the many images I have of Fairy Lane. 
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And re-enacting a couple of the activities that the children had done.  I had set up an indoor Fairy Lane using the houses that were removed, from our Fairy Lane by the city.  The participants had an opportunity to explore and start imagining and planning what their fairy and door might look like.
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Another activity was to collect treasures left in front of houses and do the same math sorting activity that the children did in the woods.
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I shared stories and resources that I have collected over the past few years and some that I have used from our local libraries.


Then it was time to create.
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I spent time walking in the woods, prior to the workshop, and collecting materials.
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        I also borrowed materials from the art shelf in my classroom.
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      After collecting items they began to paint, glue and create stories. 
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Here are some of the fabulous doors and fairies created today.
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I hope, in the future, to be able to inspire more groups of educators to use their imagination to create and explore fairy worlds.