Slippery Fish Initiative

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Teachers set up a dramatic play provocation based on children’s interest in the book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. An obstacle course led the way to this cozy cave filled with soft bear friends. It was a perfect spot for children to add their imagination to the well known story line - in the second picture two children made a special picnic lunch for themselves and the bears. This type of layered experience gives children ownership over the play while at the same time honoring the things they care about. They can shift and change what happens in the story and play, and thus give observant adults another window into what storylines we might follow next. #slipperyfishcoop #dramaticplay #storytelling #cooppreschool

Dinosaur investigations Children in our 3-5 year old class spent the last week before winter break exploring interests related to dinosaurs. Teachers built off of the group’s collective curiosity about dino life and environments by inviting children and teaching parents to create dinoland in the outdoor dirt pit. They worked together to transform the space using pieces of christmas tree clippings, water, mud, and shovels. The combination of science inquiry (making volcanos and rivers out of baking soda and vinegar), dramatic play, sensory experiences, and collaboration resulted in rich imaginative play and engagement for the students. #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool #emergentcurriculum

Bringing family life and culture in the classroom Families at Slippery Fish are encouraged to share aspects of their family with the school community. Families bring in objects and activities that connect to their rituals, traditions, and values. Children learn about what is special to their classmates and get to experience some of what it is like to be in their family. This practice is a meaningful, tangible way to engage children in anti-bias education by celebrating the things we have in common and the things that make us different. #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool #antibiaseducation

Exploring letters through play One child’s interest in spelling his classmate’s names inspired letter exploration at the playdough table. Learning skills like the ABCs is more engaging and fun when it comes from children’s interests and is embedded in play! #literacydevelopment #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool

Relationship buildingSome signs of the strength of our community - classmates seek each other out for hugs, high fives, and as play partners; collaboration happens more often and more smoothly; success is found in working together! The second photo is a great example of successful teamwork. Two children work together to fill a tiny cup using spray bottles - a challenging task determined by one child who then enlisted a classmate to help. They worked on it for a while as other children came and went, offering assistance with more spray bottles. #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool #collaboration #communitybuilding

Snails - Caring for Living Creatures Children in the Pond classroom help to care for some unique classroom pets - garden snails! The snails have a habitat and lots of room to crawl about, and the children love observing them and talking about what they need to grow. They even got to see snail eggs and the babies that hatched out! This process of observing living creatures and understanding their needs taps into young children’s developing empathy and awareness of others outside of themselves. #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool

Deconstructed bibimbap - a recent lunch offered at Slippery Fish! Slippery Fish’s food program provides nutritious meals prepared fresh daily for students. Children are exposed to new and familiar foods, and eat family style with classmates, teachers, and teaching parents. Yum! #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool

Authentic literacy development and collaboration This example comes from the Koi class (2-3 year olds). Two friends work together writing notes after observing a teaching parent taking notes in the same notebook. They came up with their own, meaningful reason to use written communication. So much learning happens within the context of open ended play! #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool #literacydevelopment

Project Based Learning and curriculum development at the begging of the school year At the beginning of each year, teachers keep a mindful eye on themes that might be surfacing over and over. They mold their curriculum on the students’ shared interests and ask the kids to determine what they know about a topic and what they would like to know. Not only does interest spark more interest, but the children’s shared concerns also help to build community connections. This year..., for the Flying Fish class (3-5 year olds), the theme of aquatic life emerged from a curiosity that grew from their experiences in their class in the spring. One of our teaching families brought in some sand dollars and shells that sparked the kids’ imaginations. Therefore, at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school season, the Project-Based Learning focus is on aquatic life! #slipperyfishsf #cooppreschool #projectbasedlearning See more

Supporting children’s social and emotional development is a main focus at Slippery Fish. This example is from our Flying Fish class (3-5 year olds). Children were invited to work at the Self-Portrait/How are You Feeling station. They first looked in the mirror and described what emotion they were feeling, then drew a self-portrait. All of the kiddos were encouraged to place their photo card next to the emotion they were feeling upon arriving in the morning on the Emotions Board.

The school year is off and running! And our Open Houses are too! Our next event is Saturday, October 19 from 10:30am-12pm. Click below to register. Hope to see you there! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/slippery-fish-co-op-weekend-op

The Slippery Fish online auction is now live! Bid on packages like a family portrait session, an afternoon of babysitting, a birthday party balloon twister (who knew one of our parents was a professional balloon twister?!) or a weekend at a vacation home in South Lake Tahoe! Bidding closes Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 PM. Register & bid: https://charityauction.bid/slipperyfish2019

Our families love to spend time with each other even after school! Thursday= Slippery Fish impromptu zoo play date! #SlipperyFishSF #SFPreschool #SFCoop #CoopPreschool #SFZoo