This morning, Melinda led Wee Friends in the exploration of three different nutcrackers: Simon’s ornamental nutcracker, a hand held nutcracker and a table top nutcracker. First, they examined each nutcracker closely by passing them around for each friend to hold. Using a potato, orange and a hazelnut, they studied which size object fit into which nutcracker. They discovered Simon’s soldier nutcracker had a very smooth surface where the nut is cracked, but the hand held cracker had a rough, almost sharp place to crack open a nut. On the table top cracker, they figured out how to spin a cylinder that would adjust to the size of the nut you placed in it. They discussed what the outer shell is and what the meat of the nut is.

They created a message board asking the question, “Which nut cracker do you like best?”. Each friend used their favorite nutcracker to crack open a hazelnut.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas has been this week’s favorite book. After this morning’s reading of it, a couple friends chose to create a portrait of the Grinch, using the book and our Grinch lovie as models.

There was lots of singing and music making this morning: “Jingle Bells”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders”, and “Puff the Magic Dragon” were among the requests.

We added jingle bells to the light table and friends enjoyed both the reflection of light and the jingling! They have spent many hours this week sorting a variety of translucent materials into plastic mini quiche trays!

For breakfast we served peanut butter and toast with clementines. Lunch was cream cheese sandwiches on whole grain flat bread, mixed veggies and grapes. For snack we will serve animal crackers and apples.

Have a great day!