Friday Flicks and a fox

Today we wrapped up a unit on " Animals that Live in the Woods." It was SUCH a pretty day we were temped play outside all day. The kids didnt even need jackets on ! Randy snapped a few pictures of outside play .

In small groups today we played the Fox and Football game. We talked about the F sound and how when we say it we bite our lip. The kids had cards and we decided which picture cards started with the sound F. Overall they did really well , even the younger kiddos!

And here's your Friday Flick !

We do other languages !

Hattie and the Fox

Randy and the kids played with the camera today...

Today we read the story of Hattie and the Fox. This book is a great book that practices predictability. As Hattie sees each part of the fox hanging out from the busy the animals all exclaim the same thing over and over - " Well , Well" " Good Grief !" The kids begin after the second time to chime in. Then before revealing the last page we talk about what we think is behind the bushes.

Below you see a picture of Nolan and Dillion playing with the new Woodland creatures set I bought for this unit. There are two families of animals ( skunks and chipmunks ) and a bedroom , livingroom and dining room set. Basically it is playing house but with animals. Sometimes we get in the habit of only exposing boys to what we consider " boy toys" like blocks and cars when in actuality they also like to pretend to play house. They can work out emotions from stress and learn to be nurturers . If you would like to read more about it, here is an article from Education.com .

Animals in the Woods

The kids have been out for a few days for snow and icy roads. They were excited to get back today.

Who's idea was it to bring in the styrofoam packaging ? ? The little styrofoam balls are EVERYWHERE and they STICK TO EVERYTHING.

But look at the lap top one of the kids made. BRILLIANT !

Daniel cutting out his hand. If you look closely you can see styrofoam in his hair

Today we read " The Kissing Hand." It is a wonderful story about a raccoon not wanting to leave his mother and go to school. She places a kiss in his hand so he can carry her love all day. After reading about Chester the raccoon we traced our hands and cut them out to make this predicable story chart.

Luckily bears live in the woods too so we can still use our bears songs that the kids love so much and tell our favorite stories. Today I used these props to tell Goldilocks and the kids loved it.

Tomorrow we have special visitors coming. You know that once a year I have an inspection or review that looks at gazillions of little indicators of quality care. ( Thankfully they don't check to see if I make up words like gazillion. ) But really.. it covers a LOT . Not only the toys and types of toys I have out but things like language with the kids and health and hygiene . It is so particular that you have to COUNT toys. For instance, there has to be 2 soft toys per child. So, if I have all 16 kiddos here I would need 32 soft toys out. Soft toys are things like puppets, dolls, etc... Usually they just show up - we never know other than a 6 week window they give us. This time the lady in charge called and asked could she come do a " mock" review with two or three others so she can train them. GREAT..... ( Too bad you cant read sarcasm.) I mean, I am ready but those days are filled with anxiety. Everyone want to do their best and that is always the day that if something is going to go terribly wrong - it will. So , with that said, when you come in if you see visitors here you will know who they are. They spend pretty much the whole day with us. If your child is sick PLEASE keep them at home. Every time they wipe their nose they have to wash their hands and the same goes for us... It will be a busy day but I am encouraged. We always learn so much from them.

Till tomorrow!