WF, 4/12/2018

Good Afternoon!

In pre-k/k group, we read ‘On the Farm’ which focused mainly on animals that are found on farms. Throughout the story, we learned different facts about farm animals and friends also shared their prior knowledge from going to Miss Charlotte’s farm!

After we read the story, we filled out a chart where we focused on the similarities and differences between sheep and horses. We looked at their physical characteristics as well as where they live, etc.

Science: K.4.1 Give examples of plants and animals.

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We successfully completed our first step in planting our Wee Friends garden! First, we read ‘Grow It’ which focused on the process of growing vegetables and plants. As a team, we went outside and planted sweet corn, cucumber, squash, green beans, peppers, broccoli, and kale. We’re going to keep them in the science area so that we can water them until it’s ready to plant them outside!

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It was a little breezy but we so enjoyed our two hours of outside time this morning!

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Breakfast– Kashi Blueberry Clusters and fresh strawberries.

Lunch– Brown rice with shredded beef, fresh cantaloupe, and PPC cherry tomatoes.

PM snack– Peanuts and pretzels.

Wee Sprout– PPC cherry tomatoes.

Have a lovely night!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/12

WWF 04/11/2018

Good afternoon. We hope you’re having a wonderful day!

This morning friends were happily engaged in building a train track for our trains and cars. While putting our fine motor and cognitive skills to the test, we also had fun making the various sounds that cars and trains make. “CHOOO CHOOO” and “VRRRMM VRRRMM” were our favorites. We even heard a few loud cars outside that caught our attention.

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The outside environment has so much to do and see. It’s a highlight of our day, especially when we haven’t been able to get out as much as we would like. We can utilize our fine and gross motor skills and our sense of sight by looking at all the outdoor wonders of nature! Spring is always a cheerful time to see all the new things blooming and getting their color back.

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Breakfast: Whole grain Cheerios and pears.

Lunch: Scrambled eggs with cheese, whole wheat butter toast, corn and pears.

Snack: Whole wheat whole grain crackers with hummus.

Wee Sprout: Corn.

Have a fabulous evening!

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIQYjgTodnbV8ccZVA

WF, 4/11/2018

Good Afternoon!

**Please clear out your child’s art cubbie at pickup. Thanks!

In pre-k/k group, we read ‘Nuts To You’ which focused on a squirrel looking for food. Afterwards, we observed a drawing of a tree and flower. Together, we identified the different parts of both. After we identified all of the makings of the tree and flower, we started a list of different flowers. A few children have background knowledge of flowers because they plant them at home!

Science: K.4.1 Give examples of plants and animals.

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The art table was turned into a flower making station this morning as children used coffee filters, pipe cleaners, foam pieces, and markers to make their own flower. Before we started, we talked about the different parts that make up a flower: roots, stem, leaves, and flower specifically! We discussed how the water and food travels throughout the flower to keep it growing and healthy.

Science: K.4.1 Give examples of plants and animals.

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The rest of the morning was full of fresh air!

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“If I can think about it, I can talk about it.

If I can talk about it, I can write about it.”

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Breakfast– Whole grain oatmeal with PPC pears.

Lunch– Scrambled eggs with shredded cheese, whole wheat flatbread/tortilla, fresh strawberries, and fresh cucumber/pepper.

PM snack– Applesauce and graham crackers.

Wee Sprout– Fresh peppers/cucumber.

Have a terrific evening! Hope you’re able to enjoy the awesome weather!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/11

WWF 04/10/2018

Good Afternoon!

During many of our activity choices today, we were working on our fine motor skills.  We spent time drawing with markers in our journals, connecting train cars together and moving and feeling the different textures of the items on the bouncer.

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Today we were able to go out and enjoy the outdoors.  We used our fine motor and gross motor skills as we enjoyed many of our favorite outdoor activities.

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Breakfast:  Whole grain Kix cereal and fresh apples.

Lunch:  Refried beans and cheese on whole grain flatbread, fresh PPC blueberries and carrots.

Afternoon Snack:  Whole grain wheat bagel toasted with sunflower butter and fresh PPC strawberries.

Wee Sprouts:  Carrots.

Have a great night!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIJpKzWGwwbcD1P-1g

WF, 4/10/2018

Good Afternoon!

**The entire Wee Friends teaching staff is attending a professional development event in Granger next Monday, April 16th. We kindly ask that on this day, children are picked up at 5:30 at the latest so that closing teachers can arrive to the event on time. Thank you for your cooperation!

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In pre-k/k group, we read ‘Tops and Bottoms’. In the story, we learned about several different vegetables that are grown in two different ways: on the top of the earth and under it. A few children shared personal experiences about growing vegetables in a garden at home. After we read the story, we talked about what we had learned about vegetables and filled in the ‘top’ category and the ‘bottom’ category. We also filled in a few more facts about animals and plants on our diagram from yesterday.

Science: K.4.1 Give examples of plants and animals.

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At the art table, flowers were drawn and dissected this morning. We used markers to draw our flower and after, we took tweezers to dissect different flowers from a bouquet. A few children noted the different parts of the flower that they recognized.

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We got some much needed fresh air in the morning AND afternoon! Children thrive outside as they explore, climb, and navigate throughout the outside environment.

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Breakfast– Kix and PPC blueberries.

Lunch– Refried beans and shredded cheese on whole wheat tortillas, fresh apples, and fresh carrots.

PM snack– String cheese and PPC pears.

Wee Sprout– Fresh carrots.

Have a wonderful evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/10

WF, 4/9/2018

Good Afternoon!

Our pre-k/k group started out the week adding to a diagram that focused on plants and animals. Throughout the week, we’re going to be diving into plants and animals and looking at the similarities and the differences between the two. Today, we focused on what we already know about both. We came to the conclusion that there are a few things that both plants and animals have in common: they both need water and food!

Throughout the week, we’ll add to our diagram and expand it if need be.

Science: K.4.1 Give examples of plants and animals.

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We used various materials throughout the house to build with this morning! Magnatiles, magnets, and puzzles consumed our morning and allowed our creative juices to get flowing.

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I found a couple interesting, informative articles on the PBS website. I’ve attached the link to one article and from there, you can read other articles on their site. This article talks about the importance of fostering creative play in the early years of a child’s life.

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/parents/play.html

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Breakfast– Whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and fresh apples.

Lunch– Whole wheat pasta with butter and black beans, PPC mango/pears, and PPC cauliflower/cucumber.

PM snack– Whole milk yogurt with PPC blueberries.

Wee Sprout– PPC cauliflower.

Have a fantastic evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/9

WWF 04/09/2018

Happy Monday! We hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Today was a fun day for the swing. Mack decided he wanted to just lounge on it and Emma decided she wanted to have fun twirling and swinging back and forth. Either way, our Wee Wee’s love the swing!

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The magnatiles are another fun way we spent our morning. Building, creating and placing the tiles in front of our faces to look at our classroom in different colors all ways we enjoy these awesome magnetic tiles.

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Breakfast: Whole wheat English muffins with sweet pea butter and PPC pears.

Lunch: Whole wheat whole grain pasta with butter and black beans, peas and oranges.

Snack: Whole milk yogurt with graham  crackers.

Wee Sprouts: Peas.

Have a fantastic evening!

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIIc5BuRZIsuI_sgzA

WF, 4/6/2018

Good Afternoon!

Maddie sprawled out in the science area this morning to explore addition and subtraction clip cards. For more challenging equations, Maddie used colored counters to help her find the answer but for most of the equations, she either used her fingers or nothing at all! Once she figured out the answer to the equation, she clipped the correct answer and moved on to the next clip card.

K.CA.1-2: Solve real world problems, objects, or drawings that involve addition and subtraction within 10. Demonstrate the equation (e.g., 5= 3 + 2 and 5= 4 + 1).

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After Maddie finished, several other peers explored the clip cards at the round table. A few of our younger friends needed help identifying some numbers so we worked as a team to find each answer.

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Groups of children explored the welcome activity this morning. Colored gems were used along with ice cube trays. We used these two items in several different ways: patterns, one to one counting, and number recognition.

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“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.”

Dalai Lama

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Breakfast– Rice cakes with peanut butter and PPC banana.

Lunch– Ham and shredded mozzarella cheese on whole wheat tortilla, PPC banana, and PPC peppers/cucumber.

PM snack– Pretzels and block cheese.

Wee Sprout– PPC peppers.

Have a lovely weekend!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/6

WWF 04/06/2018

Happy Friday! We hope you have enjoyed your week.

There are many different activities that sensory can be incorporated into our play! Today friends were excited and very happy to be engaged in the sensory bin filled with corn and black beans. We can scoop, fill, dig and even have fun pouring the mixture onto the floor.DSCN1933DSCN1934

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Breakfast: Whole grain Kix with apples.

Lunch: Whole Wheat tortillas with ham and mozzarella cheese, peas and pears.

Snack: Pretzels, mozzarella cheese sticks and banana.

Have a wonderful weekend, we’ll see you Monday.

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIFafRf2KZKK_cdpYw