Getting Ready for Thanksgiving



Ryan making pie



Ava using the mixer



Noah mixing the pie while Ava tells him how


We have had a couple of busy weeks.  We made pumpkin pie, painted our hands to make turkeys and used lots of glue and feathers to make more turkeys.  The kids really like projects. The boys were not too interested in making pie at first.  I did mention that they would be able to use the mixer.  Some were interested.  Then when it was turned on everyone came to see what was making all of the noise.  I told the kids it was a power tool for the kitchen.  Thant seemed to make everyone want a turn. 
 When ever I talk about a project we are doing for the week the kids hurry to the craft area so they can get working.   We always invite all the children to make the project but no one has to make one.  So if you did not receive one of the items listed it was most likely  a work that your child did not want to do. 

On Tuesday before our Thanksgiving break we set up our holiday tree.  The children are invited to decorate the tree.  We take the decorations off after each class so the next group can decorate it for themselves.   Be sure to look out for some fun holiday projects coming home.  

We have been having trouble finding a book that will hold the interest of the kids during circle time at the end of the day.  We have tried Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Clifford books, No David and we are unable to keep most of the kids sitting.  We are going to ask you to bring a book when it is your child's week to bring snack.  That way at least one child will be interested in the story.  That child maybe able to get his or her friends to sit and listen to their book. 

Have a great week! 

Making the Most of the Weather

Wow can you believe how lucky we were to have 70 degrees in November? The Toddlers certainly took full advantage of the weather. We enjoyed many hikes in the woods, gathering acorns, tomatoes, and leaves. The children really enjoyed having leaf fights. I think that they enjoyed covering me with leaves the most. It was really fun for all of us. Being able to burn off some energy allowed everyone to focus on their work.

The children enjoyed making turkey's with feathers and turkey hand prints too. The kids really enjoyed painting their hands. I thinks some of them were amazed that I was encouraging them to paint their hands. Others were not too sure and were very happy to rush to the sink to wash the paint off. Charlie put his thoughts on this very clearly "You are not painting my hand no matter what". Needless to say as of today Charlie will not be taking home a hand print turkey at least yet.....

This week we will be doing our first cooking project. We are attempting to make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. So we will be measuring, mixing, pouring and cleaning this week. I hope the children enjoy baking as much as Debi and I do.

We are still in need of plastic jars. Any size will do! We are making snow globes so a jar with a twist on top of any size would be wonderful!!

Have a great week!

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