Monday – JKK and School-Age had the pleasure of welcoming a juggler/magician into our space, where the children were mesmerized by his impressive juggling skills. Throughout the session, some of the children had the opportunity to step forward as volunteers, learning different juggling tricks and techniques. The guest performer was able to captivate the group by introducing them to skills and illusions that many of the children had never encountered before, expanding their understanding of the art of juggling and magic. This experience not only entertained but also encouraged curiosity, hands-on learning, and creativity.
Tuesday – The children engaged in an exploration of balance, engineering, and critical thinking skills, all combined into one hands-on experience. Using various cut sizes of construction paper folded into cylinders, the group faced the challenge of stacking them to build the tallest tower possible. As they worked, they had to apply problem solving strategies, experimenting with different sizes to achieve the highest structure. When the tower began to lean, they quickly adapted, using their creativity and quick thinking to stabilize and adjust the structure before continuing to build.
Wednesday – the group was excited and eager to participate in the Egg Drop Challenge. Engaging in the egg drop challenge provides the children with the opportunity to explore their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. In this hands-on activity, they were given the opportunity to design and build contraptions to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Using materials like straws, tape, and cotton, this challenge encourages critical thinking and experimentation as they test different designs and learn from trial and error. Not only is it a fun and interactive experience, but it also teaches valuable lessons in engineering, physics, and resilience. We also finished off the day by rolling out and creating our very own pizza. We got to enjoy this during afternoon snack.
Thursday – Making s’mores in the oven is a cozy, easy way for kids to enjoy this favorite treat indoors. First, the children were able to arrange the graham crackers on a baking sheet, placing a piece of chocolate on each one. Then, they add a marshmallow on top and pop the whole thing in the oven. The smell coming from the kitchen was enough to get everyone excited! Once they’re ready and taken out of the oven, an educator brought the treat back to the classroom for the group to enjoy. What a perfect way to make memories!
Friday – The group concluded the week by participating in a dynamic team challenge. Divided into two teams, we engaged in a series of diverse games and tasks. The first activity was a cotton ball relay, which tested our coordination as we collected cotton balls using only our noses. Next, we faced off in a game of Jeopardy, where our critical thinking and quick recall were essential. The challenge then shifted to a Minute to Win It competition, pushing us to think and act swiftly as we raced against the clock to earn the most points. The day culminated with a Puzzle Relay Race, highlighting the importance of collaboration as we worked together to complete the puzzle.
