We are building a new way. — from "Building a New Way," Hymn 1017 in Singing the Journey

IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "We are a community." We built a neighborhood together out of blocks, using our sharing and caring skills and working cooperatively.

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER . . . Read some of the books suggested for this session:

• When I Build with Blocks by Niki Alling, 2012. Step into the block area of a pre-K/kindergarten classroom, through the eyes and imagination of a child. Each block structure included originated from ideas in actual pre-K and kindergarten classrooms.
• Changes, Changes by Pat Hutchins, 1987. In this charming, wordless picture book, a little wooden couple are happy in their building-block house—until it catches fire. The solution? They transform the house into a fire engine! But then there's so much water that they have to build a boat . . .
• Block City by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Daniel Kirk, 2005. Renowned illustrator Daniel Kirk has joined his "blocks"—in this case, bright colors, bold shapes, and retro style—with Robert Louis Stevenson's classic poem to construct a nostalgic yet exuberant celebration of fun and imagination. It is a joyous look at playtime that will encourage toddlers to build dreams all their own!
• Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko, 2006. Around the world, children live in community with others, sharing homes, resources, and experiences with their neighbors.

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Try . . . recreating your own neighborhood with blocks or other building toys. (Your replica need not be exact!)

A Family Adventure. Visit a construction site. Observe the machines at work. What role will the new building play in your neighborhood?

A Family Discovery. Explore the blog post "44 Block Activities for Preschoolers" by Jamie Reimer (posted March 28, 2014) at the Hands on As We Grow website.

A Family Game. Recite "This Is the House that Jack Built" together, faster and faster! You can find the words here.