Jelly Beans

Friday's class was all about jelly beans!

 

We started the day in Circle by reading:

This old lady has swallowed some crazy things this year...including a whole turkey at Thanksgiving!  The kids love this series of books, and there seems to be one for every holiday of the year.

 

We graphed a small cup of jelly beans at the math center, and talked about "least" and "most".  The children also counted the total amount of jelly beans, then of course, got to munch on them!

We also played a jelly bean roll and cover game.  The kids rolled a die, then used a jelly bean to cover the same number on their board.  This template, as well as the graph, were found at Oopsey Daisy.

 

Our other centers included:

- a listen & do activity: color the jelly beans

- playdough / dot markers at the easel

- housekeeping / jelly bean puzzle

- train & big blocks

 

I have been anxious to show the children our new butterfly garden sensory tub, but up until Friday, we hadn't had time.  They were so excited!  When I showed it to them, I heard lots of "oooh" and "wow".  Score!  I love it when they are so interested in something, and they just can't wait to play with it.  We only had a few minutes per pair of kids to play, but we will definitely have more play time this week!

 

We will complete our letter Xx study on Monday, and we will also begin letter Yy.  Can you believe we're at the end of the alphabet and the school year?!  Pre-K graduation will be here before we know it!



Bunnies and Carrots

We had a great time learning about bunnies on Monday!  In Circle, we read a Scholastic reader called Hello, Bunny!, in which we learned that a baby bunny is called a kitten.  Who knew?!

 

Our centers included:

- art: listening/following directions bunny & carrot activity

- writing names on chalk clipboards

- bunny games: mini bowling, barrel of bunnies, real-life bunny picture puzzle

 

At the math center, the kids were given bunny picks (used for cupcakes, found at Wal-Mart).  They were asked to put the bunnies in the playdough grass in order, 1-12.

 

We also introduced new sensory tubs with cloud dough.  Have you heard of this?  It's really cool, and very easy to make!  I found the recipe at Inner Child Fun, and there are a bunch of other ones out there.  This stuff is super soft and it just feels nice to squish it in your hands!

 

At the end of class, we read:

This is the first in a series of three books by Mo Willems, and it is great!  Not only is it a cute story, but the pictures and art are very cool - drawings are integrated with real-life photos.  If you have a chance, check this series out at the library!

 

Tomorrow, the kids will be introduced to another new sensory bin in the block room - the butterfly garden.

 

This tub includes:

- birdseed as its base

- mini purple daisies (artificial)

- pink and yellow butterflies

- artificial leaves

- two plastic potted flowers

- wooden spoons and plastic bowls

 

 

I can't wait for them to try this out!  I think they're going to like it.  It was hard enough for me to keep my own hands out of it!  See you tomorrow!