Power in the Power Primes classroom

This year our class is called the Power Primes! We chose this name because we wanted to embrace and celebrate all the power within a preschool classroom and more specifically in a 2-4 preschool classroom. Throughout our days together we come up against ‘power’ all the time. As a class we experience power within the games we play and the things that we build. Lately the Power Primes have been building very tall towers out of magna tiles. Their bodies are able to build things that are much taller than themselves. Together as a class they have the power to build things that are huge and take up space. When we come together as a group we have more power than if we were on our own.

What does the word ‘power’ mean? (definitions from initial Google search)

Power (n)

ability to control people and events

Powered (v)

move or travel with great speed or force

Powerful (adj)

having control and influence over people and events

Then we asked the Power Primes what the word ‘power’ means. Below are their answers. 

“Be brave and strong.” – Cate

“Super hero.” – Pearl

“Puzzles.” – Kaniya

“I don’t remember.” – Luke

“Zebras.” – August

“Tigers.” – Seraphine

“That somebody needs privacy.” – Nua

“Super power.” – Ollie

“It means bike. I power up big hills on my bike.” – Eliza

“Going into space.” – Simon

“When people dress up for Halloween.” – Jack

Some Power Primes also told us how their bodies were powerful.

“My body can spin and jump really high.” – Pearl

“I can jump around.” – Jack

“Running around.” – Cate

“Screaming and jumping.” – Nua

We talked about how screaming is very powerful. 

“Riding my bike.” – Kaniya

“Spitting and screaming.” – Ollie

“My body is not powerful.” – Simon

We also drew a picture of power together as a class. Power Primes used dot markers and tempera paint sticks to express their power on paper. As we were creating this art we talked about how we were releasing our power. The Power Primes noted that it felt good to release our power. These first few weeks of school we have released our power in other ways, too. We have done this through swinging, running through the woods, dancing during music class, drawing pictures, sharing feelings, digging in the sandbox, and climbing. We can’t wait to further explore our own power and the effect it has on each other and our environment.