Today, many friends decided they wanted to make Sculpture Dough. During the measuring of the salt, the children kept referring to it as sugar.  Melinda captured this moment and began an exploration of salt and sugar. She led a taste test of the two ingredients discussing taste, texture, color and size and had the kids chart which they liked best.  F.5.5 Use cups and tools in sand and water. F.5.6 Use common measuring tools in correct context. . 6.8 Identify similarities and differences in objects.

 With small baskets in hand, we sang “A Tisket a Tasket” discovering the MANY things you can do with a basket! (ex: “a tisket, a tasket, put your head under the basket!”)  Inspired by Sara Hickman’s jazzy rendition of “Bunnies”, we put on bunny ears and, taking turns being the leader, hopped from room to room singing as we went. We ended our musical exploration with a couple’s dance to Sara Hickman’s kid version of “I Got You Babe.” IMG_1922  (short video of singing and dancing.) F.2.1 Identify and use a variety of spatial relationships with objects (e.g., the child will move self and/or an object over, under, beside, and through as directed by an adult). F.5.2 Help others during physical activities.

Easel painting with tempra was also popular this morning, especially with our under 4’s group!

Yesterday, Tami led the kids around the classrom looking for living and nonliving things.  As at item was discovered, she took a picture.  She printed out the photos and the children sorted the printed pictures into the two categories on posted them on the bulletin board.  F.1.3 Observe and describe properties of objects. F.2.3 Classify objects by different attributes (characteristics).



In anticipation of the Easter Holiday, we created a new Big & Small Chicks game for the children. We added, subtracted, discussed big and small and chanted “pick-a-chick” discovering a new tongue twister! The fuzzy little chicks are soft, cuddly, and irresistible! F.2.4 Identify and use the concepts of “one more” and “one less.” F.3.6 Identify attributes of objects. F.3.7 Give reason of placement of objects. F.3.12 Apply one to one correspondence with objects and people. F.2.11 Describe addition situations for numbers less than five.                                                                                                                                      
While the big kids were swimming, our younger friends painted tissue butterflies with water color.

Today for our nap time story the younger children enjoyed the story, Splish Splash Spring, by Jan Carr. It is a great book that builds phonetic awareness with it’s wonderful rhyming and rhythm. The kids clapped along to keep the beat of the story. F.1.23 Clap out syllables in word songs F.1.43 Use new vocabulary learned from experiences. F.3.2 Actively look for or keep attending to things that an adult points to, shows, or talks about. F.3.3 Watch and listen to a story to completion or for ten minutes or more.

Several friends created complex structures out of wooden blocks.

Have a great day!

For this rainy, cold spring day (insert pirate “arrrgggg!!!!!”) we pulled out the shadow puppet theatre. Using large plush flowers, plastic leaves and music to inspire ‘growing’ we experimented with shadow and light. We made flowers and leaves burst from the soil, we blew in the wind, and got wet with rainfall. We also hopped onto the WF Bus singing our alphabet version of “Wheels on the Bus”. F.1.16 Identify first letter of own name. F.1.2 Interact with and explore a variety of objects, and materials.

Since we couldn’t go outside, we went on a Searching for Spring Hunt around the classroom, identifying things that are growing or alive. It was interesting to learn how much our friends know about the four seasons, spring, in particular. We used tally marks when counting found items. We will continue this study as we move into gardening and summertime! F.2.1 Participate in activities related to number sequencing and counting.

Play dough art and housekeeping were the other main areas of interest today. Several toddlers played house identifying the mom, baby and other family relationships. The family members took naps, read books, and ate meals together. At one point a friend exclaimed to the teacher “Please be quiet! The baby is sleeping!” F.1.1 Pretend to read a book. F.1.42 Pretend to do something or be someone else.

Tami and Charles were busy this weekend building and installing a new art easel and area for the Wee Wee’s! They added two small gates that will help the Wee and Wee Wee Friends (and teachers!) take care of each other. She also added stepping logs to the slide area! 

Enjoy your day!

After lots of morning game playing, we decided to make our own board game. Melinda sat with a small group of older kids to brainstorm what type of game to create. They decided upon a  game with ‘directives’ for each player to act out when their piece lands on the square.

Each friend contributed several ideas such as  “sing you’re A,B,C’s”, “count backwards from 10”, “sing your favorite song”, “tell about the last time you got into trouble”-oh and “sing the Wee Friends Anthem”!!! F.4.12 Dictate something for an adult to write down. F.7.3 Stay with an adult-directed activity or story for 10-15 minutes. 

 The magnetic ball and rod exploration continues with several toddlers. Today, however, they created standing microphones and belted out their favorite tunes! F.1.21 Recite/sing one rhyme or song.F.2.6 Sing songs from favorite movies or television shows from memory. 

 We had our second Easter Egg Hunt this morning and all Wee Friends joined in! F.3.2 Talk about enjoying movement activities.

Please remember to pick up your child’s artwork placed in the narrow shelves above the cubbies! Have a restful and wonderful weekend!