Rudolph & Olive

Hello!

 

On Friday, we read:

 

 

We talked about being nice and friendly to others, even if they are different from us.  Just like Rudolph learned, being different is what makes us special!

 

The kiddos crafted Rudolph puppets for their art project, and happily played with them when they were finished.  :)  See the antlers?  They are your child's handprints!

 

We used our foam Christmas trees and ornaments game again, but this time the children played a bit differently.  Instead of using dice and putting the trees in numerical order, I placed them randomly, and just asked the kids to match the same number of ornaments to the star on the tree.  If a star had the number 4, then they would place 4 ornaments on that tree.  This time, I allowed them to choose if they wanted to participate in this center, and I'm happy to report that most children were eager to decorate these trees!

 



 

Tomorrow I will post about our letter Kk activities.  Stay tuned!



Christmas Countdown!

It's Christmastime at Preschool!

 

I'm going to try to get you caught up on this week's happenings over the next couple of posts.  We have started decorating our classroom, and the kids are getting into the festive holiday spirit. 

 

On Monday, we read:

 

 

We began learning about the letter Kk, and we made a Christmas countdown chain.  The chain was good for number recognition and AB patterning.

 

 

We gave the kids directions that they're supposed to rip one link off the chain each night, starting tonight.  Then they can count how many days (or sleeps) left until Christmas.

 

 

On Wednesday, we read:

 

 

We continued to review Kk, and made stand-up Christmas trees for our art project.

 

 

Aren't they cute?!  I think these would look darling on a window sill, shelf, or anywhere to brighten up the house for Christmas!  They were so simple to make - just use paint chips from the hardware store, stickers and clothespins.

 

 In math, we played an ornament game.  The children worked in pairs, rolled the dice, and decorated foam trees with pom-pom ornaments.  The trees were numbered 1-10, in order.  See the #4 tree?  Yeah, they got a little too ornament happy on that one!  :)

 

 

Coming soon:

I will be posting about Friday's class, and hopefully picking out some songs for the kids to sing at our Christmas Family Fest.  Since I've already heard a couple of kids singng "Jingle Bells", that one is sure to be on the list!  We do still need an accompanist.  Anyone interested?  Let us know!



December Sensory Tubs

Last week, we introduced the kids to the December sensory bins, and so far, they love them.  We have two tubs, meant for individual use, but sometimes extra little hands just can't resist!  The children are very good at sharing with their classmates.  :)

 

In each December sensory tub, we've added a base of red and green peppermint rice.  I found this idea at Growing a Jeweled Rose.  The rice is "flavored" with peppermint extract, and I only use food coloring and water to change its color.  So, if we have any hungry kiddos who want a sample, it's completely safe!

 



 

Included in both tubs are the following:

• red snowman cup and white spoon for scooping and pouring
• pinecone
• bow
• foam angel cutout
• plastic hollyberries on a stick
• bells
• gold and silver stars

In the top bin, you will notice a small nutcracker.  Sadly, he was dropped and beheaded, and is awaiting repair at Santa's Preschool Workshop.  He will be back next week, good as new!

 



Sensory tubs are very easy to put together at home.  This one (below), I put together for my daughter (5) and my son (7), who both still love to do sensory activities.  I found all of the items around the house and mixed in with our Christmas decorations.



 



 

My kids' sensory tub includes:

• small red mitten with red/white and green/white beaded candy canes
• white pitcher for pouring and a red spoon for scooping
• wooden teddy bear
• red wooden tree shape
• small snowman box with tiny gold instruments inside
• bell bracelet
• red and green straws

My kids wanted peppermint candy cane rice, so I dyed half red and left the other half plain white.  Personally, I think the red/green combination is much more vibrant, but I aim to please!

 

Please comment and post pictures if you try a sensory tub at home.  I'd love to see it!