Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Of course, our day started with "porridge. " We had good ole homemade oatmeal with butter sugar and cinnamon. Of course, we also threw a lot of it in the garbage. The kids didnt really like it.

The boys enjoyed sitting on the bear rug today reading.

We graphed gummy bears today!

I love when I see the kids repeat something that we did a pervious day without prompting. Here not only is a child taking the bears on a boat ride but they also sorted them by color !

Early next week I am going to do an assessment to see how the kiddos that are going into kindergarten are doing with their letters and numbers. I decided to take out a couple number puzzles to expose them a little more. Numbers are tough for preschoolers.

Book on CD on the table today.

We watched a 5 minute you tube video on my lap top today. The kids loved it. I will link it at the bottom of this page if you want to watch it with your child.

We sorted large , medium and small

Kayla made a necklace from the counting bears.

During circle time today we talked about the story of " Goldilocks and the Three Bears." We talked about the difference between real and not real. Here are some facts we came up with.

The bears in the story can talk. Real bears growl.

The bears in the story live in a house . Real bears live in a cave.

The bears in the story wear clothes. Real bears do not.

We had a few more. Ask your child for more that they remember.

I had a worksampling mentor visit today. Worksampling is the method that I observe and record things the children do so that I can make accurate assessments of where they are and what I might need to work more with them on . It went well. The ladies name is Kelsey if the kids happen to mention her.

Teddy Bear picnic is TOMORROW , NOT FRIDAY. We have special visitors coming on Friday ( a mock inspection for training purposes ) and it would be too hectic.

Here is your video to enjoy.

Construction !

Today has been a fun day! I LOVE mondays ! If you are a teacher and want to beat the Monday blues, make that the day you change our your materials. You DO change them out, right ? :)

Today we started learning about " People who build our community. " I took out several new toys all with a learning goal in mind. Below you have Rosanna playing with a different set of blocks than is normally out. With these blocks she is " constructing" but she is also using her fine motor skills for picking up those blocks ( that will make her a better writer ) . She is practicing balance and control as she stacks the blocks. She is using her imagination to build.

Kayla is playing with Addams IPad. I love the game applications that are on an IPad. Kayla is playing a color by letter game. As she touches the letter it reinforces what that letter is to the child. The kids LOVED this today. So much so.. that we had to make a sign in sheet for it.

Noah is hammering. It looks like a baby toy , right ? As you pound one nail the other one pops up. The children really studied this today for cause and effect. You also see a tray for random nuts and bolts. These are used to screwing things together but we are using them to strengthen those fine motor skills!

Safety FIRST ! :)

Here we are combining a little Halloween fun with building tools. The kids are hammering golf tees into a real pumpkin. This was one of the favorite centers today.

New Puzzles !

Working under the table

Checking out the screw driver.

Our pumpkin is about covered with pegs !

Children learn more when you can relate what you are teaching them to something they already have a little knowledge about . Who build a house ? Who built THREE houses ? The three little pigs. We will build more on this story as the week progresses. Today we read a short version of it and then did an emergent reader. We also talked about 1st , 2nd and 3rd ! ( ordinals )

We really did have a great day! Parents, make sure you get the note about the party on Friday from your cubby. Also, we have a facebook group now that you can post in and I will be posting a few things there are well. It put in a lot of dates that you will want to mark on your calendar.

DONT FORGET - Tomorrow night ( Tuesday at 6:30) is our Little Builders Workshop at Lowes.

Happy Monday... :)

Rapunzel

When reading Rupunzel we get another chance to talk about the letter R. What is more important is we built towers and measured them. We wrote down the numbers and talked about which ones were tall, short, taller, and shorter.


If you dont know the story , enjoy!



Other things we did today.

Ate SPAGHETTI... my floor is covered. So is your child's clothes, so we are even.

Had our first MORNING MESSAGE. This is where I write down a message . The children see me write so they can start to connect that letters make words and that things they say can be written down.

Today's message was:
Today is Tuesday September 8h.
We read Rapunzel.
Rapunzel starts with R.

Then we brainstormed other things that start with R. I was so proud of Katie as she grinned really big and said RHINO!

There are notes in your cubby that has a list of things missing from your enrollment folder. If you have no note, then you are good to go! If there are things listed, I need that my Friday.

Cinderelly Cinderelly

Wow.. is it Friday yet? It is hard to get into routine but I know it is like exercise. No pain, No gain. So, we keep plugging away. Each day gets a little easier and easier.

Today I told them the story of Cinderella. I think storytelling is a tradition that has been pushed by the way side. By telling it myself, they were able to be more involved in the language i was using. Also, I was able to change up the words to things they are more familiar with or " things I would like for them to learn." Example: When Cinderella's UGLY step sisters were yelling at her and making her do their work- I said they were BULLIES. First, let's get this out of the way. I donn't think it is right to call anyone UGLY so we talked about the way they acted MADE them look ugly. There are many other learning opportunities in this story. The clock struck twelve... can you say DONG >>DONG>>> DONG>>>>TWELVE times? We also talked about chores. Does your child do any chores at home. Here is an exert I found on chores for preschoolers.


Ages 2 and 3

Many toddlers are eager to help with chores, and while their “helping” may not always be appreciated, keeping their excitement and the habit of helping out alive, should be. Sticker charts are a great way to keep toddlers excited about helping. Their chores may have to be completed with you helping every step of the way, but you are laying the groundwork for children that find chores and helping a way of life.

Some chores 2-3 year olds can do…
Help make the bed.
Pick up toys and books.
Take laundry to the laundry room.
Help feed pets.
Help wipe up messes.
Dust with socks on their hands.
Mop in areas with help.

Ages 4 and 5

Preschoolers still find helping to be an exciting venture and usually are thrilled when time is taken to teach them new chores. They are ready to do some chores without constant supervision. Rewards at this age are very motivating. A sticker chart that allows you to build up to bigger rewards can be appropriate. For some preschoolers, tying chores to an allowance is a great option and fosters independence in choosing a reward.

Some chores preschoolers can do in addition to the ones above…
Clear and set the table.
Dust
Help out in cooking and preparing food.
Carrying and putting away groceries.


We also did an art project with water colors and our initials!

Fun day. TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!

Jack and the Bean Stalk

Today has been hectic. I thought yesterday would be crazy since it was our first day without Mrs. Beth's help, but it was relatively calm. I am just guessing this is because we had fewer transitions yesterday and more outside play. Today we stayed on schedule! Well... if you count the fact that we were a little more than 20 minutes late getting down for nap. But, we have to keep pecking away at our routine day by day until it gets easier and easier and all falls into place.

Our fairy tale today was Jack and the Beanstalk. I couldnt find my BIG BOOK ( if you saw my resource room you would know wny...) So, we watched a 10 minute video of the story. I like adding other types of media anyway. After that, we places beans in a baggie with a kleenex and water. We talked about how all living things need sun and water to grow. We taped them on the window so the sun can warm the seeds. Hopefully in a few days , they will sprout!

Funny story about Anna today. I was filling out another piece of paperwork that had to be alphabetized and I said " Anna what is your last name?" " She replied " Anna Banana!" I said " Annnnnaaaa, that isnt your name !" She came back with, " Yes, it is. That is what my mommy calls me!" Conversations like that make me love my job!

All the kids are happy now and transitioned into their new " home".

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs

Today was such a beautiful morning that we couldnt pull ourselves off the play ground! We had BREAKFAST OUTSIDE! The kids loved it. We had granola bars and they just kept right on playing and munching. I know... probably not the most sanitary way to feed but it was fun for them and made a memory , and today... that is what mattered to me. As I watched them play I saw them forming bonds with each other and starting cooperative play. I am not on the playground much . Randy usually does that, but today it was both of us enjoying the new found friendships!

We read the story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs today. We talked about stranger danger and how important it is not to take anything from a stranger or open a door when our mom or dad is not right there. We counted to seven... a lot. We talked about how BLACK Snow Whites hair was and how white her skin was. We took black paint and white paint and mixed it to get gray! Our first color mixing experiment.

We sang a few new songs today....

They loved Come the Rug by SUPER FUN SHOW Shaun Brown. These kids can really dance!~ We also sang a days of the week song to the tune of " The Adams Family"

Days of the Week ( clap clap)
Days of the Week ( clap clap)
There's Sunday and theres Monday
There's Tuesday and there's Wedensday
There's Thursday and there's Friday
And then there's Saturday
Days of the Week ( clap clap)
Days of the Week ( clap Clap)

Today is also Dillions birthday! YAY! Dillion!

Today was the BEST day Rosanna has had. She hung out with me for a long time and gradually I was able to leave her side to watch her enjoy the bubbles and other children.

We are getting there.... this is going to be a great year!

Friday Wrap up!

Today has been a regular day. We still had the two children that are having a hard time struggle a little as they came in but quickly recovered. We added one today. This precious little girl is the classic text book child. Most children don't get too upset until the 2nd or 3rd day when they realize " I am seriously going to come to this place EVERYDAY?, It's not just like fun city where we go when we want to?" She got over the separation anxiety pretty quickly as well . Monday , they have two days off and we start all over again....Oh joy! :) It will get better though. And remember, Monday we start full days. Drop off at 7:45 and pick up at 3:00.

We made castles today with princesses. It started out as fine motor project as the children put the yarn through holes to make hair. When I saw the children struggling with this we reinvented the days lesson plan and made castles to glue our pre-cut princesses on. On the top we attached black triangles. I think this actually turned out to be a better learning experience than the first one I had planned.

I am having a few back issues today, so thanks for understanding why I was in a chair when you came in -- both times.

The pictures below are just a few ways we add " wonder " to your childs outdoor play experience. Just because they are kids doesn't mean they dont need beauty in their world.