Good Afternoon!

**We do have another child with suspected hand, foot, mouth.

Yesterday afternoon, we completed a paper tree! We decided to add ornaments to it this morning so various materials were made available for children to complete an ornament.

Markers, paint dotters, and glue with glitter were put at the table for children to come and explore. Each friend got to pick a certain color for their ornament.

The paint dotters are a great way for children to work on their fine motor skills and the turning motion. When children get the turning motion down, there are various activities they can do with that specific motion! (i.e. turning door knobs)

We went on an extravagant adventure this morning! A group of friends gathered in the science area and hopped into their boat and headed around the world. Using a map, they planned out where they were going to go and how they were going to get there. “This blue part is the water so we can use our boat!” commented one child. “Let’s go to Kenya!” shouted another friend.

Emergent curriculum allows for the curriculum to be driven by the child NOT the teacher. When we go off what the children are interested in and gear it toward a given FAB that we are working on that week, it makes it SO much more meaningful and thus it is retained. For example, just by having a map available for children to interact with in the science area, prompts investigations like the one this morning! It was not forced upon them, a map activity but more so an activity sprouted by previous knowledge and curiosity of maps. This activity that was geared by the children lasted twenty five minutes. It was totally and completely relevant to what this group was doing at the time.

Here are a few articles that focus on the topic of Emergent Curriculum:

http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/201203/Heritage_v67n2_0312_0.pdf

http://www.naeyc.org/yc/node/324 (a little long but has some good information and research)

It was a gorgeous November morning. We even brought out the specks !

During journaling time, we’re focusing on expressing our emotions and thoughts. As we’re writing out the descriptions for our journal, we’re listening for the sounds of letters that we heard in words.

Today was poetry day! We read two different poetry books where each child got to pick one poem from each book! There was definitely a mixture of poems: some funny, some serious.

Breakfast– Kix and PPC raspberries.

Lunch– Hummus on whole wheat tortillas, oranges, and peppers/carrots.

PM snack– Pretzels and string cheese.

Wee Sprouts– Broccoli.

Have a lovely night!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: 11/29