Legends and Harvest Feast to come.....

baking with Ann

self portraits

"magic cutting"

a story with Grandpa Lou

Susan writes with us

sending a greeting around a "council fire"

It turns out that you can fit everyone in a block structure with a lot of laughter and a smiling face.

This week was an eventful one of baking, writing, and joining in with the crowd. The children explored the hollow blocks as a group this week and were very happy to have everyone join in.

We practiced our cutting skills and wrote with Susan, and had a guest reader this week, Grandpa Lou. "Legends" and stories continue to be of great interest, especially hearing the consequences of the animal's actions and words.

Until Next Time,

Michele

Legends and Lights

We had a few versions of a council "fire" this week and told stories and sang songs together.

The children composed a legend which we wrote down. They passed a "story shaker" as they added to the legend. They had so many ideas that we will have to write another one!

This week was also all about play and music. We received a donation of some new musical instruments which needed to be a choice!
We have been practicing songs for our upcoming Harvest Feast (please see sign up at door).

words we've heard:

"oh, that looks jazzy"

"we're worker princesses"

"don't forget your napkin manners!"

"are musical instruments a choice?"

"want to be in my play?"

Until Next Time,

Michele

VOTING!

Fitness Monopoly




We had a guest reader this week! Thankyou!

The Fire Station

We had a great November week of "fitness monopoly" with Darcy, a field trip to the Fire Station, and our big story this week, which was voting.

The children were very serious in their responsibility to practice vote for a candidate for president, and we discussed our options, filled out our ballots, and walked to James' room to deposit our ballots in the ballot box one by one. Their was a line at the polling booth, but the children waited patiently for their turn. When their vote was deposited, James said to them "Congratulations, you are a voter." Being a voter engendered a lot of discussion about being a good citizen of the classroom, responsibility, rights, and respect for other's choices.

We painted with purple and printed purple vegetables and were introduced to "legends" and a few songs about the Harvest and saying Thankyou to the Earth. The children are making shakers with egg cartons that will be very fancy when they are done.

We wrote a book about our Fire Station trip, and by popular vote the trucks were the "favorite part".

Until Next Time,

Michele

Autumn with a touch of winter :o)

This week continued to be an adventure of colors and happenings of Autumn. We explored popcorn in song and play, and made some popcorn to share. It was very exciting to watch it all happen!

We printed leaves, painted with leaves and pine cones, and sang about trees and the happenings of fall. The children have begun to enjoy "science" books which are factual rather than fictional. We wrote our book about Autumn and it has been added to the book shelf.

Words We've Heard:

"You don't like candy? The sweetest thing in the whole world?"

"I've got a job for you. Can you hold this?"

(while popping corn) "I can feel the hot on my face!"

Until Next Time,

Michele

Autumn Activities

Autumn has so many exciting colors and activities and we're enjoying all of it in the PreK4 classroom! We were seed scatterers on a breezy sunny day, and sent the seeds flying with the help of a parachute.

We painted with autumn colors and acorns, marbles, and other rolling objects and added glitter to make colorful leaves.

The hollow blocks provide many hours of construction work and have been built into rocket ships, walls, beds and other furniture, and platforms for games.

One of the tricks of a rainy autumn day is to keep moving and have an exciting indoor time. We set up an obstacle course with many steps to follow and move through, and enjoyed a bean bag balancing game (a favorite amongst the 4's, as they need to stop and help their friend when their beanbag drops)



Words We've Heard:

"Ohhhh, my, that's a long word".

"this is actually my munchkin home. If you want to stay here you have to only eat munchkin food...spicy little chickpeas..."

"I'm the coach. Of the girls."

A new addition to our classroom is a "safe chair" to sit in when you're feeling overwhelmed and very angry or just need to get away. The chair has been decorated and will be the child's choice to use or not. We had a very interesting discussion (led by puppets) about how to handle your emotions in a classroom so that everyone feels listened to and safe. The children had some very astute observations and always knew the words to tell the puppets. You're welcome to take a look at the safe space :o)

Until Next Time,

Michele

Autumn is in full swing in the PreK4 room! We made applesauce and pearsauce and everyone enjoyed it. We'll be writing a book with pictures soon.

Children are making their way to the journal table slowly, at which time we write their name on their own journal. We will date entries if we're asked to. We are fostering a love of contemplation and just communicating in a new way.

The science table continues to be related to the theme of autumn, with seeds to pick apart and chrysalis to explore. We've sprouted some seeds in the window, including Queen Anne's lace, apple seeds, and beans. We might try an acorn, but that might try our patience! We have read a few beautiful books about trees, and continue to talk about gifts from the earth and celebrate the season of fall in song.

The 4's are gearing up to perform at assembly, and we'll let you know the date!

Words We've Heard:

"it's like a huge playdate with all of my friends are there. I love it!" (school)

A reminder, book orders are due TOMORROW (10/17)

Until Next Time,

Michele