Lots of Changes

Debi and I took a good look at our classroom and what works were being used and decided to make a few changes. In all three classes the children were hanging out at the train table. The paint was not used unless we suggested it, play dough was sitting on the shelf untouched, scissors were crying out to be used, and shoes were in dire need of polishing. The children were not grasping the concept of taking a snack and eating it at the table So we decided that we need to make some changes to our room to make things "work" for everyone.

The first class has the luxury of going outside as soon as they arrive. This allows the kids to get out some energy. They really seem to enjoy starting the day this way. Be sure to dress the kids warmly so they can enjoy the time we are outside. When we go back into the school we wash our hands and then go to the classroom after line time we have a group snack. Everyone sits down and then we share our snack. If the kids don't want to eat they are allowed to go do a work. The kids have adjusted well to the lack of the train table, they began to use other materials. Everyone is doing something find a work to do or share with another child.

The second class unfortunately can not go out upon arrival because the older kids are outside. So we are get right to work. The children in this class were a bit distraught at not having the trains. They did however enjoy being invited to work with paint, play dough was a bit hit, windows were being washed, plants were being watered. It was working.

The third class wasn't too fazed by the change. The group is small so they simply found new work and began to use the art materials more often.

So if there are any disgruntled toddlers out there we apologize. We are trying to make sure the children are gaining knowledge and trying new things while at school .

Happy Monday!!!

Hiking in the Woods

We took full advantage of the weather this week and went for a hike in the woods. The children were a bit unsure at first. I actually think Ms. Debi and I were more unsure of our ability to keep everyone together. But it worked! The kids enjoyed looking for acorns. Many of the children filled their pockets and brought the acorns home to you. The following day when I told them that we were going for a hike they all quickly gathered near the the gate and were more then ready to go.

Toddler one has the advantage of going outside first. This is so nice for the kids. Everyone is able to get out that extra energy and leave it outside so that when we do get inside we they can focus on our work. Toddler 2 arrives just as the older children are going outside so we have to wait until the end of our time together to go outside. We try very hard to make sure we get outside everyday but sometimes time runs out. Hopefully everyone will get the idea that if we clean up fast we can get outside.

Just a side note. We have been changing lots of diapers and would appreciate if the children were not wearing onesies to school. When we ask the kids if they have a poop they all say no. SO many times we have to check to find the dirty diaper. It would be much easier if we didn't have to undo onesies in order to find the culprit.
We have had some new found interest in going on the toilet!! So that is great.

We have lots of things planned for this week. Pumpkin pancakes, making Carmel apples and ghost foot prints just to name a few.

I will try and post pictures of it all next week.

Happy Halloween!!!!1

Celebrating Birthdays

We celebrated our first birthday last week in our classroom. The children were very excited to sing happy birthday. We have all of the children sit at our long snack table and then we sing happy birthday to the child who is celebrating their birthday. The kids really loved watching her blow out her candle. We passed out the cupcakes and the children really enjoyed the snack.

Parents are invited to come in for cake time with the class if its your childs birthday. If you would like to send in pictures one from each year of your childs life we will make a time line of your childs life and hang it up in our room for everyone to see.

Everyone seems to like coming into school. Getting rules down is still a bit tough for some but with encourgement from the other students they are coming along. We are planning some exciting activities for Halloween week. Carmel apples, mask decorating, and ghost making.

We hope to see you all at the Pumpkin Hunt this weekend 10/24.

Have a great week!!

We Made It! Week One

Hello All

Everyone made it through week one. By Thursday most of the tears stopped. We had our moments but everyone at some point or another focused on work. The playground is every ones favorite place at school. Water works are also very popular. The children are enjoying the freedom of using water when ever they want. Cleaning up is a new experience for some but others are very good at cleaning up for themselves and for others. Sharing is also working rather well. You may hear children saying "this is my work".

We began the day with our line time. It was short we sang a song and counted how many children where in our class. We will begin demonstrating how to use the materials in our classroom this week. The children will learn how all of the items are used and where they belong and how to put them away. At the end of the day we will be singing, dancing and reading a book and then enjoying some fresh air.

I hope that the week ended better for you then it may have began. Debi and I are enjoying our time with your children and we know that in time they will be asking when they will be going back to school.

7 days and counting

Hi All

Can you believe the school year is just about over. It seems like just yesterday that you and your children where crying as we walked them into school. But these days there is just a quick bye mom love you and the are off. I am so happy that they seem to enjoy coming into school. We enjoy having them with us. I hope to see you at the icecream social May 26th during class time. If you drop your children off in carpool and park come on down about 15 minutes into class so 8:45 for toddler 1, 11:00 for toddler 2 and 1:30 for toddler 3. You can take home your childs change of clothes bin on that day. If your child is joining us for either of the camps please be sure that the clothes are lightweight for summer. And that they still fit. Many of your children are much taller then they were at the beginning of the year.

We are hoping to have a visit from the fire department on the last day of school.

Have a good week.

Nancy

New Works and Lots of Art

Before Spring break I attended a class and was shown tons of great new items to put out in our art area. The kids have really enjoyed using them. I added water color paints to the art area. This item is so fun for the kids to use. They are confused at first because it is dry paint in a cake. I give them a small bowl and have them fill it to the line that is on the side. I show them how once they wet the brush the color will come off the cake and they can use it on the paper. They really seem to enjoy this type of painting. There is only one piece of paper out for them to use at a time so this work is special and usually will be sent home with them. I also added a black sheet of construction paper and chalk to the shelf. They are loving the white marks on the paper. Too bad this work wont last for too long but they have been trying it out. Stickers, pom poms, and small items are available for them to glue. I put the glue in a small cup and they are applying it with a small makeup brush. The control level for the kids is strong. They are using the the suppllies with purpose. It is such a great step from the spreading of paint everywhere that takes place at the beginning of the year.
We are working on letter recognition. The children are looking at letters and we are naming them and singing songs of words that start with the letters. We are trying to make learning letters fun. The letter sounds are being mentioned but it will be reinforced next year in preschool.

Earth Day is this Thursday and we will be planting and giving back to the earth. You are free to visit any time before our time together is up.

Keep checking for the date of our End of Year Ice Cream Social!!!!

Spring Break Week

Hi All

Sorry for the delay in posting but it is spring break. We had a great week working on our baskets and coloring eggs. The children really had fun gluing all of the paper on the milk cartons. Glue is such a fun thing for them to use. We had a spring tree out for the children to decorate and they seemed to really enjoy that. We put out a giant egg in our scrubbing bin. The kids really liked scrubbing the egg. It is large enough that 2 children where able to scrub it at the same time.

We had many visitors Spyro shared his mother, sister Maria and brother Peter with us and Dimitri shared his mother, sister Mariah and Dina with us too. The previous week Drew brought his brothers and mother with and Martin also shared is mother and brothers with us.

It was really amazing to see how careful and helpful the children were with all of the younger siblings in the room. Everyone wanted to help the younger children with the works in the classroom. It was really sweet to watch them as the grown up children in the room.

We really enjoyed having everyone visit. We will be scheduling a Ice Cream social in May as the weather warms up and as a send off for our students. I am so excited that so many of you have signed up for summer camp and cooking. Debi and I really enjoy working with your children.

Enjoy the rest of your Spring Break.

Ms. Nancy