Week 3

I had had conversations with different children about pontoon boats and ferries.  So based on the children's interests...we got out boats in water tubs. 

The tools in the block area continued to be popular,  so I put the construction prop box materials out and we did hammering with golf tees and foam.

I sent home the lyrics to One Elephant and cut outs for you to do at home.  Here are the elephants playing on the spider's web - and the children singing and retelling the story - and learning a lot about turn taking!

Since we have been singing One Elephant and the Itsy Bitsy Spider, I changed the science center. We learned that all spiders have 8 legs and that they make webs to catch food.  We also read The Very Busy Spider this week. We also went outside to find out what a water spout is!

There were geoboards out to make webs and plastic spiders to catch in the rice table!

I also put out the Duplo Elephants and Duplo squares.    We stack the boxes (Duplos) to see how strong the elephant is - lots of great counting along with the fine motor.  Later in the year, I will add dice and the children will roll to see how many to put on.

We used the Handwriting Without Tears Wood Pieces to make E this week (Big line down, frog jump up, little line little line little line).  We also read and acted out "E the Elephant Exercises" from Amazing Action Alphabet and  did an elephant yoga inspired pose.

We also used the Wood Pieces and mat to make Mat Man!  You can read  more about him here.

We did lots of painting with brushes and tiny plungers - you could probably tell if your child painted...  Please do not send your children to school in their best clothes, we put smocks on them and try to keep the sleeves rolled up, but  messiness is bound to happen!

We did our first cooking activity.  We spread soy butter on graham crackers and then spooned sprinkles on top.  I used this as a allergy safe birthday treat substitute last week and all the children wanted  it- so we made it!  It was a good chance to practice spreading (unfortunately I couldn't find the small "cheese spreaders".  We also talked about the silver serving spoon not being the spoon that goes in the mouth!  There's so much to learn when you are three!   

The containers were such a hit, they are now in the tray table with jewels!

Still doing lots of reading...

Storm, the helper dog, and Mr. W. will be coming once a month on Thursday mornings to talk to us about safety and manners.  We learned about asking the owner before we touch a dog and the importance of saying please.  We also learned how Storm helps Mr. W stand up and pick things up when they drop.

I picked up some carpet squares so we can spread out a little at group time.   Day one went well with them!