Baby It's Cold Outside

It is so cold outside. The cold wouldnt be so bad if the wind wasn't blowing. Layers work best in this kind of weather. Remember our quality standards state that we go outside unless there is an advisory or falling precipitation. We don't stay out for the long periods like for warmer weather , we break our hour into smaller segments and indoor gross motor play.

Sensory boxes - why do we use them ?

Tactile perception refers to the interpretation of informatio sent to the brain from the fingertips.

Improving a child's tactile perception will enhance her self-confidence when she performs tasks using her hands and fingers.


Stereognosis refers to the ability to recognise unseen objects using the sense of touch.

Activities to stimulate this will enable a child to experience her surroundings through her body and become familiar with them in more than one way.

I try to put one of these out for each unit. Last night I made a Christmas box. It has scented pinecones ( Glittered too !) , small ornaments, cut garland, squeeze balls, gems and all kinds of goodies in there for the children to find.

The kids are loving these magnetic builders I bought.

Some days, you just have to be a princess.

One of the boys was having a hard time not gripping his pencil today so I showed him how to put the marker cap in his palm to keep his grip the right way. He considered it a trick so he enjoyed it !

The manger scene was a big hit today!

Some of us played old maid today. As I explained the game I realized something that it took me 44 years to get. The idea is to get matches. There is only one old maid card, she has no match... get it ? Why did I never figure that our before....?

Pictures Finally

I had some problems uploading picture and got a new adapter tonight so wahhlaaa~

Autum's dad is Cherokee Indian. She was so funny when I told her her was visiting to talk to us about being an Indian she replied " he is not... " Kids just have a picture in their head of what an " Indian" looks like and even Autum thought her dad didnt fit that description. Hopefully after his visit, they have a better idea of modern Indians. Autums mom came along to help him show some Indian artifacts !

Thanksgiving Feast !

A Christmas village for the kids to play with at the table.

Gift boxes from dollar tree make excellent props for the block center.

Art fun !

Transitions

Today there are transitions going on all over the place.

The kids are transitioning from being at home for four days and getting back into a routine.

We are transitioning our materials from Family and Thanksgiving to Christmas.

A busy day.

This morning was a free for all - scratch that - I meant free play for most of the morning. I gave the kids time to enjoy seeing each other and get some of that extra energy out.

Then ...

We decorated some lovely candle holders that will line my walk on Thursday night for an open house I am hosting and then grace your home for years to come . I find that the things my kids made when they were little I treasure more every day.

We started a wreath but ran out of our decor. We have plans to finish that tomorrow.

We listened to some Christmas music so we can get started on our program for our party.

We had muffin tin Monday and cleared out the rest of the turkey from Thanksgiving and lots of fresh veggies and fruits.

We read a story called " Miss Wishy Washy's Christmas" that was about the farm animals taking a bath. She told them if they didnt take a bath, there would be no presents. Of course they did - everyone wants presents ! BUT! They took a bath in her pink bathroom in the house and used her soap and perfume ! CUTE story.

I will post pictures later . My adapter to upload is playing hide and seek and ... is winning.

DON'T Eat Tom

Today we played some new games I printed off from a fellow bloggers website. The kids loved this one. Each child got a turn to go out of the room. The other children picked which square would be "Tom". The child would return to the room and start picking off the candy corn. Everyone remained quiet until the child picked up our chosen " Tom square" and then they all yelled " DONT EAT TOM!" Then.. it was another child's turn. Fun game.

I bought this new miniature lincoln log set for the table at Cracker Barrel. Great fine motor material.
We made turkeys today !
Tomorrow is our Family Feast. I will be sending out a Facebook message this evening to " sum it all up."

Tylenol ?

Today - Do you ever have a day that you look in the mirror and say " I KNEW better than that ?"

All 16 of our munchkins were here today. The morning went smooth. Autum's dad and mom came around 10:00 to talk about his Indian culture. He brought arrow heads, indian jewelry and a dream catcher. The kids passed around the pieces and were able to ask him questions. Most kids think of an Indian - like we see in the books with the pilgrims. As a matter of fact , Autum is convinced her daddy is not an Indian. ( I asked him was he ok with Indian or offended by the use of that word and he said no. ) I love it when we have opportunities like that to show the kids " real" things.

Then... it all fell apart.

All I am gonna say if I loathe teacher directed crafts. The kids do not learn anything or little from them except to follow directions and be patient. But their head bands are cute...

Friday Flick !

Opps !

I worked all day with Jodie today. I have had business obligations outside of work lately and today's TA was cancelled so I let Randy have some time off. It was really nice to work with a woman all day. The downside to that was - at nap time I didnt do what I normally do. I didnt blog , I didnt get notes ready that I wanted to send home. :) It's all good.

The note was about our Thanksgiving Feast next Wednesday. It is from 11-1 at the community building. You are invited and you can also bring family. Normally the kids do a couple songs and then we eat and you leave - with your child. It is just a little time to spend together. It is not a program at all . I cook turkey or ham and traditional stuffing and provide drinks ( Tea or water and milk for the kids ) You will sign up to bring side dishes like green beans, corn, rolls etc... The sheet will go out tomorrow and I would like to know by Monday who is coming and how many people will be with you and what you plan to bring . That way, I have a day or two to plan and fill in the gaps.

Today we make a little book that emphasized positional words like beside, under and on. It was a Thanksgiving book that would say the turkey is " under the tree " and the child takes his turkey and shows me where under .. is. I got this out of a mailbox magazine.

It was so chilly at lunch today ( and our bodies havent quite adjusted from the summer ) that we only went out for 30 minutes. I would like to remind you that ABC rules , which are based on best practice for children everywhere , state that there is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing. So, PLEASE make sure your child has clothing appropriate to wear outside and stay warm. If you think or have been told all your life that going outside when it is cold will make you sick - here is a good read for you ! CLICK HERE!

The Legend of the Paint Brush

Today we read the story " The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush " by Tomie dePaola. It really is quite wordy for this age group but it kept the kid attention. It is about a little Indian boy that wanted to be a warrior but his true talent was painting.

So we concentrated on art today.

Out all day

I was out in a meeting all day today but from the report I heard they had a good day. Randy actually said " one of the best days we have had all year!"

They talked about families in circle time. It is amazing the things the kids open up and say when you ask simple questions about family. Sometimes heart warming - sometimes ... hurts me. Dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong and nothing was said that would hurt anyone but kids are very vocal and honest and tell it like it is.. or the way they see it. Remember, all kids need sometimes is someone to listen and love.

I am moving on.

During small groups they did the traditional hand print turkeys . The kids always love doing this and end up doing them for months once they figure it out.

Tomorrow I leave during nap time for a doctors appointment and Thursday I am here all day but Jodie will be helping out once again as I will have an administrative TA ( Technical Assistance ) here all day. I requested one to help me develop a better system of keeping up with all the paperwork we have to do. I have high hopes.

See you in the morning

Families and Thanksgiving

Today we started talking about families and the approaching holidays. The kids always love it when I change out units. They find many new things to interact with . When I think about their excitement I remember there are kids that stay in one room every day and their materials never get rotated or changed out. How sad... Makes me want to go shopping for more! :)

These little guys are playing with a box of dice. Picture this group several years down the road. Looks like a hot game of street poker...

I have had a alphabet sorter rack for a long time but it was huge and bulky and I rarely got it out. I wanted to make it more accessible to the kids so I adapted with something that I already had. I took a nuts and bolts organizer and put letters on the drawers . Inside the drawers are little items that begin with the letters . Fun Stuff !

Patterning !

Some activities on the table today.

Matching shapes on a cornucopia.

New Books !

Sorting fall colored buttons

Using letter turkeys to dish up our names !

How many leaves on the tree ?

Sensory tub ! Match the turkey feathers.

Roll the dice and put that many pom poms on the turkey !

# 2 We'll get you !

The kids have been admiring our number 2 pinata all week. Today we filled it with candy ( tricky way to get the rest of that Halloween candy out of my house ) and we took turns taking 2 swings until it busted. Finally , we let our friend Nolan hit it until it bust ! SO much fun and learning at the same time. After it was opened and we all scrambled for the candy, we we allowed to eat 2 pieces.. just two. I said one but Mr. Randy reminded me that we were talking about the number two , so....

and now for Friday flicks ! One video was taken on our walk as Mrs. Jody helped Malia count out ten leaves. Most kids can count to ten but being able to count out ten objects is all together different - and more important ! The second video is of an impromptu doctors office set up and some conversation there. ( I think this was initiated by Audrey who had a new little brother born on Monday. )