Good Afternoon!

In pre-k/k group, we read ‘Planting A Rainbow’. Several friends commented that they had the book at home and also shared their prior knowledge about different types of flowers. A friend said “That’s not a rainbow!”. Lucy explained that the colors of the flowers represent the rainbow.

After we were done reading the story, we looked at a picture of a flower and a tree. First, we discussed the similarities between the two, noting that both have roots, need water, and are plants. We wrote down a few differences such as the size and a few physical characteristics of each that differ. Our tree and flower fasciation continued on into our journal experience for a few children!

Science: K.4.2 Observe plants and animals, describing how they are alike and how they are different.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of building with various materials such as magnatiles and trio blocks.

Maddie, Anna, and Lucy created a magnatile animal castle where they sorted animals into different rooms based on their characteristics.

Breakfast– Whole wheat bagel with butter and fresh apples.

Lunch– Whole wheat noodles with shredded turkey and butter, fresh oranges/pears, and PPC cherry tomatoes/snap peas.

PM snack– Whole milk yogurt with PPC strawberries.

Wee Sprout– PPC cherry tomatoes/snap peas/carrots.

Have a lovely night!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/16

Good afternoon, we hope you enjoyed your weekend!

We wanted to share a special new program being offered to St Joseph County residents. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This program entails a child five years old and younger to receive a free monthly book.   If you’re interested you can go online at the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s website.

Today our Wee Wee Friends decided it was a great day to utilize both their sensory and fine motor skills. The sensory bin is a fun way for our friends to get creative and get their sensory abilities in full gear! Coloring is also another way to get their creative juices flowing. Both activities offer many opportunities for learning experiences.

Long lasting friendships are a beautiful thing, and we love helping our Wee Wee Friends achieve those friendships at such an early age and stage in their lives!

Breakfast: Whole wheat toast with sunflower butter and oranges.

Lunch: Whole wheat pasta with butter and turkey, broccoli and applesauce.

Snack: Whole milk yogurt and graham crackers.

Wee Sprout: Broccoli

Have a wonderful evening!

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIdk7Nvnor4UEmBYVQ

Good Afternoon!

Enjoy the pictures from today!

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.”

Breakfast– Rice cakes with peanut butter and PPC pears.

Lunch– Turkey on whole wheat bread/tortilla, applesauce, and fresh snap peas/cucumber/carrots.

PM snack– Goldfish and string cheese.

Wee Sprout– Fresh snap peas, carrots, and cucumber.

Have a fantastic weekend!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 4/13

Good afternoon, what a beautiful day!

Early literacy is critical at any age. The sooner we start reading to our children the better. Studies have shown that the more words parents and caregivers use when speaking to their children (as early as the infancy stage) the greater the volume of the child’s vocabulary will be by the age of three.  Today, Emma chose all of her favorites and was eager to start listening and interacting with them. We counted the items on the pages, recognized our colors and found where all of our body parts are on our own bodies. Story time was a blast today.

No coats, hats or gloves for us today!!! What is better than that?

Breakfast:Whole wheat toast with butter and cinnamon and oranges.

Lunch: Whole wheat bread with turkey, peas and apples.

Snack: Whole grain cheese crackers and block cheddar cheese.

Wee Sprouts: Carrots

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

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIYcn7Qg93U4SIi4mg

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.

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!

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

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

Good afternoon, what a gorgeous day!

Enjoy the pictures from our fun filled day  

Breakfast: Whole grain Kix and strawberries

Lunch Whole grain rice with shredded beef, corn, pear and strawberry mix.

Snack: Pretzels and mozzarella cheese sticks.

Wee Sprouts: Corn

Have a fantastic evening!

Marty

LINK TO PICTURES:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuljIVkwRENp9X616KPsw

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The rest of the morning was full of fresh air!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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