Enjoy the pictures from our day!
Breakfast was Whole Grain Cheerios and banana. Wee sprout was corn. Lunch consisted of whole grain brown rice with cheese, cantaloupe, and corn. Afternoon snack was wheat crackers with sweet pea butter.
Link to photos: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliKEwtSZ9hzIQxpcmzg
Have a good night!
Amanda
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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 
.
Children participated in various activities this morning including reading area, chain links, and habitrail play. It was quite nice so we headed outside early!
We had a terrific morning outside! The sun hid for a little bit so we got some extra outside time.
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.
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!
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
Today we spent time playing in the gross motor area…
Enjoyed some fresh air while keeping cool in the shade…
Stacked stackers (and also discovered they make great hats)…
And worked together to make a tall tower!
Breakfast was Whole Grain Cheerios and blueberries. Wee sprout was corn. Lunch consisted of whole wheat tortilla with refried beans and cheese, strawberries, and corn. Afternoon snack was fruit smoothie popsicles and crackers with cream cheese.
Link to photos: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliJ8NZtzNhZNBGNfwtQ
Have a good night!
Amanda
This morning was a gymnastics day in the habitrail. A group of friends built a balance beam with the large plastic blocks. Many friends tried it out walking across it or even getting down on one knee to show off their balancing skills. The trapeze bar was a big hit as well as the children practiced hanging up side down and flipping over.
Friends enjoyed a good book either from having it read to them by a teacher or looking at it themselves.
The art table and workbench were popular places where children worked on their creative creations.
We then headed outside to enjoy a shorter than normal outside time due to the heat.
Breakfast: Whole grain Cheerios and kiwi/strawberries.
Lunch: Refried beans and cheese on whole wheat tortillas, plums and cherry tomatoes.
Afternoon Snack: Homemade Strawberry/Banana/Yogurt Smoothie Popsicles and mozzarella string cheese.
Wee Sprouts: Snap peas.
Have a great night!
Rebekah
Link to pictures: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliJ4342QKPixECDMawg
Good Afternoon!
**Please clear out your child’s ART cubbie at pickup. Thank you!
In large group, we read ‘Three Cheers for Tacky’. For a couple weeks this summer, we’re welcoming back some of our Wee Friends alumni! They were filled in on our love for Tacky the Penguin.
After we read the story, we came up with a list of things we see on a map, which we’ll be talking about this week. We came up with several items and Elliott explained some of his answers including continents vs. countries.
The art area was busy this morning as Elliott taught some of his friends how to do origami.
We planned a water day for today! Our older friends helped Miss Melinda set up before we all headed out.
There were various water activities that friends could engage in depending on their comfortability level with water.
ARTICLE ABOUT BENEFITS OF WATER PLAY IN THE EARLY LIFE:
http://ideastations.org/science-matters/ideas-parents/water-play-and-your-childs-growing-brain
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The water table was put together which included funnels and hoses. Most of our younger friends played at the water table for most of the morning!
A circular sprinkler was put out at the bottom of the yard. Franklin and Anna were the first ones to run through it, making frequent stops to get wet. It was also a good place for friends to clean dirt off of their bodies from the sand box.
Enter: sand box. Buckets, hose, and shovels were put at the top of the sand box to use. “Look! I’m taking sand and water and making mud!” It was QUITE the sensory experience.
Breakfast– Whole wheat toast with butter and PPC grapes.
Lunch– Whole wheat pasta with chicken, oranges, and cauliflower.
PM snack– Whole milk yogurt with strawberries.
Wee Sprouts– Carrots.
Have a great night!
-Mindy
Link to pictures: WF 6/12
Water play is just what we needed on this hot day!
Breakfast was whole wheat toast with sweat pea butter and blueberries. Lunch consisted of whole wheat pasta with chicken, corn, and grapes. Afternoon snack was organic whole milk yogurt and strawberries.
Link to photos: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliJxy_UOUQMOQRtHnEw
Have a good night!
Amanda
Good Afternoon!
**As a reminder, please make sure your child has a swim suit here on Monday since we will most likely do water play at least one day next week. Thanks!
Today is Tate’s last day at Wee Friends. We’ve so enjoyed watching Tate grow these last four years, forming bonds with various friends. We’re going to miss seeing you everyday along with your family. Stay in touch, Sampson family!
Our Friday was full of hands on activities including:
Building with wooden blocks.
Reading a story with Miss Kaylee (it’s her last day too! 
) and constructing a map of the inside environment at Wee Friends.
AND enjoying a beautiful morning full of baby dolls and bug hunting.
We hope you have a terrific weekend.
Breakfast– Rice cakes with no nut butter and blueberries.
Lunch– Homemade egg salad on whole wheat tortilla, banana, and cucumbers.
PM snack– Cheese and grapes.
Wee Sprout– Peppers.
-Mindy
Link to pictures: WF 6/9
Please bring in a bathing suit for water day next week!
Enjoy the pictures and have a wonderful weekend!
Breakfast was Kix and strawberries. Wee sprout was peas. Lunch consisted of egg salad, whole wheat tortilla, strawberries, and peas. Afternoon snack was pretzels and blueberries.
Link to photos: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtTCDmdhjIuliJtWYcq36RG2LYX0CQ
Have a good night!
Amanda