WF, 6/21/2017

Good Afternoon!

…and HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! In large group today, we read a story titled, ‘Mama, Is It Summer Yet?’. Throughout the story, we learned of various ways to tell when it’s going to change from spring to summer. For example, when the buds on the trees start to expand, that’s a sign that summer is on it’s way!

After we finished the story, we came up with a web of items we see in the summertime. We distinguished between things we see mostly in the summer time while other things we see all the time such as animals.

This morning, a few friends drew treasure maps and hunted for treasure throughout the backyard. Lulu combined that with what she learned about summer and drew a journal about it. She wrote ‘Map to sun’ without any teacher assistance, solely by sounding out the words.

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So, about that treasure hunt! A group of friends headed to the art table once we got outside to draw individual treasure maps, each looking a little different. Together, they searched through the backyard looking for their treasure while using their maps as clues.

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Before we went outside this morning, Miss Melinda played her accordion for us! Friends immediately gravitated toward the music, anxiously waiting to touch the keys that they saw. Miss Melinda showed us how the accordion makes music and let friends touch several keys to see what type of sound came out. Of course, we moved our bodies and danced to the music as well.

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It was quite the morning outside. We frequented the drinking fountain to make sure we were staying hydrated..always important!

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Breakfast– Malt-O-Meal and plums.

Lunch– Scrambled eggs with shredded cheese, whole wheat bread, banana/plums, and cucumbers/cherry tomatoes.

PM snack– Air popped popcorn and plums/banana.

Wee Sprout– Cherry tomatoes/cucumber.

Have a fantastic evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 6/21

WF, 6/20/17

Good Afternoon!

This morning was filled with a variety of activities. Enjoy the pictures from our day!

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Breakfast: Kix cereal and oranges.

Lunch: Hummus on whole wheat bread/tortillas, cantaloupe, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Afternoon Snack: Whole wheat bagels and cream cheese.

Wee Sprouts: Cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Have a great evening!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliKNjOZPNFDjhvhiOjQ

WF, 6/19/2017

Good Afternoon!

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. Our internet was still down so thank you for your patience Smile.

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Breakfast– Whole wheat toast with butter and apples.

Lunch– Whole wheat pasta with chicken, oranges, and green beans.

PM snack– Miss Rebekah’s birthday sugar free popsicles and cheese.

Wee Sprouts– Carrots.

Have a wonderful evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 6/19

WF, 6/19/2017 (Blog from 6/16)

Hi!

Our internet was down Friday so here’s the pictures and menu from this past Friday!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday.

-Mindy

Breakfast– Rice cakes with cream cheese and grapes.

Lunch– Whole wheat english muffin pizzas, pineapple, and broccoli.

PM snack– String cheese and a mixture of grapes/oranges/pineapple.

Wee Sprouts– Broccoli.

Link to pictures: WF 6/16

WF, 6/15/2017

Good Afternoon!

DAP: what is it and what does it look like?

DAP definition: An approach to teaching grounded in research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about effective early education. Its framework is designed to promote young children’s optimal learning development.

Developmentally appropriate practice is something that runs through our heads continuously. Since Wee Friends is a multi-age learning environment, the activities that are developmentally appropriate for five year olds most likely aren’t appropriate for two year olds.

We base our creative curriculum by honing in on each children, getting to know them and their interests. When creating activities either prior to the moment or IN the moment, we can take those interests into mind, making the learning experience that much more valuable to each child.

I’ve attached a couple articles that are informational and good reads in general.

The teacher tom blog focuses on how our team (parents and teachers) raise successful children while the other two blogs take a closer look at DAP and how we engrain it into the classroom environment.

http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/how-to-raise-successful-children.html

http://theallianceforec.org/library.php?c=7&news=117

http://www.naeyc.org/dap/10-effective-dap-teaching-strategies

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Here are a few pictures from throughout our day. Thanks to Ellie for bringing in a new toy for our environment that focuses on color one to one correspondence as well as allowing us to use our imagination.

Also, a big welcome back to Ruby as she returned from her trip to England. We are so glad to have her back!

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Breakfast– Chex and banana.

Lunch– Brown rice with chicken and cheese, cantaloupe, and cucumber/red pepper.

PM snack– Sweet potato crackers and pumpkin seeds.

Wee Sprout– Pepper/cucumber.

Have a great evening!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 6/15

WWF 6/14

Household reminder:

DROP OFF TIMES:

WF/WWF opens at 7:45. Please do not enter the building until 7:45. While there are teachers in the buildings prior to that time, they have arrived early to attend to other things and are not ready for children until our opening time.

PICK UP TIMES:

Wee Friends closes AT 5:30. The expectation is that parents are in the building and working on exiting BY 5:30. If parents would like to talk with the teacher or spend some time with their child at school (potty/drink of water etc.), please arrive earlier to allow time for this. Please note that 5:30 is the line in the sand where we start charging by the minute if a parent has yet to arrive. Teachers have been instructed to consistently document for late fees all who arrive past 5:30.

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Friends were very excited to see bins of small animals and Magna-Tiles set up outside. Sophia went through every animal in the bins and identified all the ones she knows. She set them all up and said that they were in a jungle! Mack went right to the Magna-Tiles and helped the older kids build their structures.

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Breakfast was Kix, strawberries, and blueberries. Wee sprout was peas. Lunch consisted of farm fresh eggs with whole wheat flatbread, strawberries, blueberries, and peas. Afternoon snack was pretzels and string cheese.

Link to photos: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliKAt0e3rsnehFdTFkQ

Have a good night!

Amanda

WF, 6/14/2017

Happy Flag Day!

**A household reminder:

DROP OFF TIMES:

WF/WWF opens at 7:45. Please do not enter the building until 7:45. While there are teachers in the buildings prior to that time, they have arrived early to attend to other things and are not ready for children until our opening time.

PICK UP TIMES:

Wee Friends closes AT 5:30. The expectation is that parents are in the building and working on exiting BY 5:30. If parents would like to talk with the teacher or spend some time with their child at school (potty/drink of water etc.), please arrive earlier to allow time for this. Please note that 5:30 is the line in the sand where we start charging by the minute if a parent has yet to arrive. Teachers have been instructed to consistently document for late fees all who arrive past 5:30.

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In large group, we first read ‘I Am Planet Earth’. Throughout the book, we learned about the things that our Earth provides such as water. At the end, it told us to take care of our Earth. We brainstormed several ways that we could accomplish this; the most popular being don’t liter/recycling.

After, we talked about it being Flag Day. I assessed background knowledge by asking basic questions pertaining to the flag (the colors for example). We read ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ and asked if any of the older kids say this in the morning at their school. Ellie does so she stood up and demonstrated for us! Friends had a discussion about the flag, what they saw, and what it means. At the end of the story, we learned when the flag was made as well as what the stars, stripes, and colors mean! Several friends have seen an American flag before but there is a true history lesson behind it.

Tomorrow, we’re going to research flags for different countries that we’re familiar with.

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We try to focus on health eating habits daily. Children see ‘Mr. Matt’ bring our fresh organic vegetables and fruits from purple porch (http://www.purpleporch.coop/) every Monday. Daily, we offer Wee Sprouts, a variety of fresh vegetables that are put on the island for children to enjoy. It’s important to start teaching children about healthy eating habits early on in life. Thankfully, we’ve got a group of children who can demolish two bowls of cherry tomatoes and snap peas by lunch Winking smile.

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Children participated in various activities this morning including reading area, chain links, and habitrail play. It was quite nice so we headed outside early!

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We had a terrific morning outside! The sun hid for a little bit so we got some extra outside time.

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Searching for signs of bug life outside is by far one of our favorite things to do. Often, we find grass so we can make a habitat for our buggy friends.

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As a group, we decided to take our magnatiles outside this morning! Our older friends were in charge of making sure that they stayed in a specific area. It was QUITE fascinating having the magnatiles outside to create with!

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Breakfast– Whole grain oatmeal with honey and PPC strawberries/kiwi.

Lunch– Scrambled eggs with cheese wrapped in whole grain flatbread, banana, and PPC cauliflower.

PM snack– Blue corn chips and refried beans OR hummus.

Wee Sprout– Cherry tomatoes and snap peas.

Have a terrific evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 6/14