Good Afternoon!

**A last reminder: We need every child’s updated shot records by this Friday (January 12th) to be in compliance with state laws. Directions and the address of Wee Friends is attached to the paper that’s hung in the science area. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation!

In our pre-k/k group, we read ‘Friendship Day’ followed by explaining the important jobs of various community helpers. Children looked at the outfits each character was dressed in to figure out what community helper we were going to be talking about. After we came to a decision, friends shared their thoughts about what that community helper did that helped us or the community in general. A large group member asked, “What would happen if we didn’t have doctors?!”. This started a conversation about what we would do if some of these important community helpers didn’t exist!

Social Studies: K.2.1 Give examples of people who are community helpers (inside the classroom and outside the classroom) and describe how they help us.

__________________________________________________________________

I’ve attached a short article about kid spelling or inventive spelling. Research in the article links inventive spelling to children learning how to read. “What we’ve found over the years is there seemed to be something with kids who are doing invented spelling on their own that’s really helping them learn how to read,” said Ouellette in an interview. “I’d say it’s like the missing piece” in early literacy instruction.

http://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp?cid=25920011&item=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.edweek.org%2Fv1%2Fblog%2F59%2Findex.html%3Fuuid%3D71813&cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. Childhood is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace which is right for each individual child.”

-Magda Gerber

Breakfast– Whole grain oatmeal with honey and PPC pears.

Lunch– Shredded cheese on whole wheat flatbread/tortilla, banana, and fresh carrots.

PM snack– Air popped popcorn with butter and fresh apples.

Wee Sprout– PPC cucumbers.

Have a great evening!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 1/10

Good Afternoon!

This morning we had a sensory activity with real snow. Our activity not only focused on  sensory, but math and science were also incorporated.  Miss Rebekah showed us how we could use a variety of different sized measuring scoops to make a snowman.

We also used our sense of touch to realize that the snow was cold and then our sense of taste as we put some snow in our mouth.

We then did an experiment with the snow by placing it in a bowl and checking it occasionally to see what would happen with it inside where it is warm. We found out that it will melt and turn into water.  When we were finished with the activity, we put all of the snow from our bins into the sink and watched as Miss Marty used the sprayer with hot water on it which showed us the same effect.

Breakfast:  Whole grain Cheerios and fresh PPC banana.

Lunch: Refried beans and cheese on whole grain wheat tortillas, fresh PPC kiwi and peas.

Afternoon Snack:  Whole grain wheat cinnamon raisin bagel with butter and colby jack block cheese.

Wee Sprouts:  Peas.

Hope you had a wonderful day!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIulibJjs29ozrESP8DgFQ

Good Afternoon!

Several children became involved with ‘community helper’ bingo this morning. Anna, Lucy, and Maddie started off playing together, identifying different community helpers after I gave them a description prompt. A few younger friends stood by and watched as they played the game which gave them a deeper understanding of how community helpers help us.

We quickly found out that some friends had background knowledge of certain community helpers while others did not. For example, a veterinarian. Children who have pets know what a veterinarian does while friends who don’t have any animals in their house may not know this certain community helper. Friends shared their knowledge to their peers while covering their bingo board.

Social Studies: K.2.1 Give examples of people who are community  helpers (inside the classroom and outside the classroom) and describe how they help us.

In large group, we read ‘The Ugly Duckling’. Afterwards, we talked about how the ugly duckling felt and how other animals words affected him. Together as a group, we made a list of classroom rules that we follow to either be a good friend or to keep us safe. After friends gave their rule example, many friends commented, “We sometimes fight…”. We talked about how it CAN be difficult to follow rules but that’s why we help each other out and all that matters is trying our best. The group widely agreed on this!

Social Studies: K.2.3 Give examples of classroom and school rules and explain how each helps us.

Creations were made at the art table and the easel as we used various materials to make an individual piece of artwork. As David was using scissors to cut paper, an older friend came up and commented, “David, you’re doing a great job at being safe with your scissors!”

Several younger friends sat together at the circle table to explore foam puzzles. There are a couple harder puzzles that test our patience. We passed the test! By working together, taking our time, and using our trial and error skills, children completed every foam puzzle that we have!

Breakfast– Whole wheat toast with butter and PPC kiwi.

Lunch– Refried bean and shredded cheese on whole wheat tortillas, PPC banana, and PPC green beans.

PM snack– English muffins with peanut butter and PPC clementines.

Wee Sprout– PPC peppers.

Have a great evening.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 1/9

Happy New Year! Our friends were happy to return to see all of their other friends and  enjoy playing with all of their favorite activities.

Today we worked on our fine motor skills as we worked on our puzzles, moved the pegs to trace the lines in the abacus and built with our magnatiles with a friend.

We enjoyed looking at many books or having a teacher read them to us.

We enjoyed the activities in the habitrail area. We used the big blocks to build a wall and the star rainbow mats to play hide and seek, went down the slide and played with all of the bouncy balls.

Breakfast: Whole grain wheat toast with butter and fresh PPC clementines.

Lunch:  Whole grain wheat pasta with shredded chicken, mixed vegetables and clementines.

Afternoon Snack:  Whole milk yogurt, graham crackers and fresh PPC kiwi.

Wee Sprouts:  Mixed vegetables.

Have a great evening!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIulibIgh0mGAffntQahqg

Good Afternoon!

**We’ve put a couple reminders up in the front area: we need every child’s updated shot records by FRIDAY, JANUARY 12th (this Friday) to be in compliance with state regulations. If it’s easier, you can have them sent here to Wee Friends. Thank you!—If you have any questions, please ask!

Today, we welcomed Sophia into our classroom! She knew several peers from their time together at Wee Wee which makes for strong relationship connections. We’re so excited to have Sophia join our class.

Anna joined our pre-k/k group today! On her first day, she was the song starter/mat guard, a very cherished role. We switch every week and each child gets a turn to sing a song to start off group and make sure that their peers are rolling their mats up properly as well as putting them away.

This week, we’re learning about different community helpers and how they help us. We read two books, one about police officers while the other book focused on firefighters. Afterwards, we looked at the pictures and identified who was in the picture. As a group, we discussed what tools each worker has to use to do their job well.

Social Studies: K.2.1 Give examples of people who are community helpers (inside the classroom and outside the classroom) and describe how they help us.

We spent all morning sharing stories from our holiday break as well as reconnecting with our peers.

We hope you’ve had a great start to 2018!

Breakfast– Whole grain cheerios and PPC clementines.

Lunch– Whole wheat pasta with shredded chicken and butter, PPC pears/clementines, and PPC broccoli.

PM snack– Whole milk yogurt with PPC kiwi.

Wee Sprout– PPC broccoli.

Have a lovely night.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 1/8

We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. We will see you when we return on January 8, 2018.

Today we enjoyed looking at books in our pajamas, water play using scoops to pick up the water beads, and dress up hats as well as many of our daily routine activities.

Breakfast:  Whole grain wheat toast with cream cheese and fresh PPC blueberries.

Lunch:  Avocado chicken salad on whole grain wheat tortillas, fresh PPC pears/blueberries, and peas.

Afternoon Snack: Whole wheat crackers with sunflower butter.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIulibEIfvdkM3AKkA2-fw

Good Afternoon!

**Just a reminder: we need every child’s updated shot records by Monday, January 8th. If it’s easier, you can mail them to Wee Friends. Thank you!

______________________________________________________________________

Five years. That’s how long Lulu has been a Wee Friender. It is truly what we envision when we think of a child going through the complete Wee Friend experience. Through these last five years, relationships have been formed and milestones have been crossed. We are so going to miss your leadership, heart, and love of life and learning. We’re ecstatic that you get to add another travel chapter to your life before you start big kid school. These last five years watching you grow into the person that you are have been nothing short of wonderful. Thank you for letting us be apart of your journey.

_________________________________________________________________________-

We spent the last day before vacation building trains, exploring with a sensory experience, and completing the last PJ runway show of 2017.

We are so thankful for the relationships that we continue to build each day with these children and their families. There is nothing better than working together with parents as a team to make sure that these Wee kids are happy, healthy, and challenged each and every day.

Breakfast– Rice cakes with peanut butter and PPC blueberries.

Lunch– Homemade chicken avocado salad on whole wheat bread, PPC clementines/pears, and PPC cauliflower.

PM snack– Block cheese and pretzels.

Wee Sprout– PPC cauliflower/snap peas.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday break. See you in 2018!

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 12/22

Good Afternoon!

**We’re having PJ day tomorrow in case you haven’t heard! 

Our pre-k/k group has been working on a project for the last week. Each member and soon to be member got the opportunity to pick their favorite journal to add to our new pre-k/k calendar! After every member picked their favorite journal, we created the calendar and waited patiently for it to be delivered.

This morning, we finally got to see the finished product! We were all proud of our journal and being able to see it in our finished product made us BEAM. Choosing to do this instead of buying a normal calendar will allow for more conversation topics during group time as well as pointing out that it’s the effort that goes into the project that matters.

The art table was busy with children drawing and putting words to their drawings. One of our kindergarteners chose to write his own recipe down for pumpkin muffins (that we made yesterday). Not only did he write out he words using kid spelling but he drew the item next to it as well.

We hope you are having a great Thursday!

Breakfast– Kix and PPC blueberries.

Lunch– Brown rice with shredded beef, PPC banana/pears, and PPC green beans/cucumber.

PM snack– Cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter and PPC clementines.

Wee Sprouts– Fresh carrots.

Have a terrific night.

-Mindy

Link to pictures: WF 12/21

Just a reminder, tomorrow is Pajama Day on our last school day of 2017.

Enjoy the pictures from our day!

Breakfast:  Whole grain Cheerios and PPC banana.

Lunch:  Whole grain brown rice with shredded beef and cheese, PPC blueberries and carrots.

Afternoon Snack:  Whole milk yogurt and graham crackers.

Have a great evening!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIulibAdSq1FwEo5G1JyvQ

Happy Wednesday!

This morning we started out swinging on the swing.  Sophia chose to wear a dress up dress while she was swinging, while Mack chose to have the baby dolls swing with him.

Today for our art activity we were given dot paints, glue, and holiday tissue paper to choose from as we decorated a Santa hat or Christmas tree.

Emma, Mack and Sophia built a wall with the big blocks so they could hide under the habitrail.  Aggie and Daniel played a game of peek-a-boo with them.

Breakfast:  Whole grain Corn Chex cereal and fresh PPC banana.

Lunch:  Scrambled eggs with cheese, toasted whole grain wheat bread, banana and carrots.

Afternoon Snack:  Whole grain wheat crackers with hummus.

Wee Sprouts:  Carrots.

Have a great night!

Rebekah

Link to pictures:  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIulia8ZxsWCsWPrZcv59w