Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

Stories took up most of our day. We admit it. We’re creatures of habit. We LOVE certain books. Most of us don’t care if they’re read over and over. Is it a bad thing? No. But we’re trying to get our friends to read a variety of books. I’m sure we’ll always come back to those books we’re familiar with..books that we love .

Chef Eve, Chef Zoey, and Chef Emma headed to the kitchen where together they whipped up wonderful food! They shared with friends and let everyone know what it was that they were making.

Throughout the day, we get tired. Each child finds a certain spot in the classroom to rest, to take a breather. The skill of self regulation is an important one! When we get tired, we rest for a little bit.

Zoey enjoyed looking at all of the animals on the abacus!

A selection of children’s music was turned on this morning. Children wanted the circular rings and shakers out. Once those were out, we made movements and sounds of our own to go along with the music.

We did the hokey pokey. Then we shook our sillies out. To end our music time, we were a bunch of monkeys jumping on the bed!

P.K. concentrated as he built a tower with a baby bottle at the top!

LuLu worked on rolling over. She sure did enjoy her floor time today!

Eren joined Clara in the cube where Clara sang a rousing rendition of the ABC’s.

We read one of our favorites: the Big Animal Book! Our animal sounds are greatly improving!

P.K. let his friends and teachers know what his monster on his shirt says: RAWWWW!

For breakfast, children had cheerios and pears. AM snack was string cheese. Lunch consisted of egg casserole with hash browns, oranges, and whole wheat toast with butter. PM snack was whole grain crackers and apples.

Hope you have a terrific evening!

-Mindy

A newly constructed train engine sparked many friends morning’s work. A teacher offered  great big cardboard boxes to add to the engine. After message boarding what a train needs, we added seats, wheels, a wall, tracks and a surf board. Friends hopped on and off board as their interest ebbed and flowed, filling the morning (and classroom) with music, imagined tunnels and mountains, bear chases and lullabies under starry skies.

When “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” rang out, Sophie ran over and took the conductor’s spot, leading the train into “Munchkin Land”, the next tune to play.

Lisa is guiding our friends in the creation of a Family Face Tree. Friends began working on their portraits for the tree.

Our friends continue to be engaged with the Montessori beads. Tami worked with a small group, sequencing, stacking and counting aloud.

 

When she isn’t dancing, Elizabeth is taking very good care of her babies.

After lunch work groups.

Many moments and many friends made one great day.

Wee Sprouts: Pea Pods. Breakfast: Corn Chex and apple slices. Lunch:

Farm fresh egg casserole with ham and potatoes, whole wheat toast with butter and orange slices. Snack: Whole grain crackers and cheese slices.

Have a great weekend.

This is a question that was asked earlier this week and it is one that has been asked over and over throughout the years. Every time a parent asks a question, and we answer it, we then huddle together as a teaching staff and reflect on our practice. Is our practice still relevant? Is it working? Why DO we do it that way? We value your questions because they keep us on our toes. Without those questions we lose opportunities to question, reflect, and respond. So bring them on!

So for today, I wanted to share a few very recent examples of our philosophy in action and then share our discussion about why it’s ok with us if a child opts to do their own thing instead of choosing to join a large or small group activity.

Earlier in the week, Miss Laurie created a 3D neighborhood project and invited the children in small groups to come and join her at the art table. The reply by one child was, “But I don’t want to do that”. He wanted to go to the workshop and create a train. And he did, indeed, go and create a train. And there was a teacher offering him one-to-one support to build his train. And we know that while he was at the workshop, he was intrinsically motivated to give his all to that work. Best practices are to provide him the materials and support to build his train. And we did. And he built a train that day.

Still this week, a younger child moved into group, then out of group as her interest waxed and waned. However, from the other side of the house, as soon as the group of children started singing, she moved her body back to the group and joined in enthusiastically. She was clearly paying attention to the group, even while she busied herself with her own interests. When she came to the group time, she wanted to be in the group. When children want to be there, it is a powerful tool in having a positive, structured group time.

Today, the teachers walked through Wee Friends and invited friends to join them in a sensory/science project of making Ice Wreaths to share with our birds (Thanks Jennifer and Lindsay for the idea and materials!) All of the children chose to come to the table. They all wanted to be there and they stayed and they cooperated for the duration.

Later in the morning, our 3D neighborhood project re-emerged to get its next layer of finish. Some of the children eagerly grabbed paint brushes and went to town (excuse the pun). Others continued their work in other parts of the classroom and then joined. Others declined to join in this morning, but may choose to work on it later. All of that is ok because when they are at the table they are fully invested.

So, back to the question, “Why don’t we make them come to circle time?”:

• We offer an environment full of choices (academic, social/emotional, creative, and physical), but we allow the child to choose what choices they make.
• Building focus and attention is a prime goal. What they are doing at the moment is the most important thing and the teachers are there to support and extend the play. Not to interrupt it because we are arrogant and believe our agenda is more important than what they are learning in their moment. http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2012/aug/preschool-children-better-attention-spans-more-likely-finish-college
• Children learn when they are interested in what is being taught. Otherwise, just watch them in a large group situation with all of the large group distractions: they pick their noses, they pick at their friends, they squirm, they look around everywhere. Until they are about 4.5 years old and then something happens. Then, we find that they are sponges and they really want to know EVERYTHING we can tell them about EVERYTHING. Force it on them sooner and they have closed the door at 4.5 years rather than swinging it wide open for us. Research backs this….http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20056147/ns/health-childrens_health/t/should-preschools-teach-all-work-no-play/
• Children learn when they are ready for what is being taught. Were you one of those children that they tried to teach algebra in 7^th grade and you just didn’t get it? I was. I was an awesome student and no matter how hard they tried and I tried, it didn’t make sense. Until it did, later, when my brain was ready. Reading concepts for children are the same thing. We immerse them in literacy (stories aloud individually and in small groups, daily writing opportunities, modeling writing, teachers always available for conversations that build language, music that utilizes rhythm and rhyme, learning materials that support literacy, etc) We give them the pieces of the puzzle and when their brains are ready it clicks. It always does. The article below states, “Most children learn to read by 6 or 7 years of age. Some children learn at 4 or 5 years of age.” We know this to be true. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/pages/Helping-Your-Child-Learn-to-Read.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token
• Children learn the concepts when they are working on something else nearby. We see this over and over when they talk to us about what they heard at the perimeter of the circle.
• Circle time is the least effective direct teaching that we do. That individual conversation that a teacher has with a child is also direct teaching and it is the most effective. But, that’s another whole blog in itself.
• Wee Friends honors the individual child, their individual development, and their individual interests. Through this, we cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

So really, it’s more than ok with us that our Wee Frienders can opt out of a group time. At the core, we know it is a gift we are giving the children. We know that we are offering a gazillion opportunities for small group times and large group times and we trust that the children know which ones will be valuable to them.

Have a great day!

Tami

Breakfast today was Kix and Banana.  Wee Sprouts were baby carrots.  For lunch, we had whole wheat flat bread filled with cream cheese and turkey, fresh cauliflower/cucumbers, and fresh mango/bananas.

Good Afternoon!

To start off our Wednesday morning, some friends gathered around the blocks. Within the blocks, there are different animals and food such as strawberries. We talked about the animals and the sounds that they make. A few blocks even made noise with bells and pebbles within them. Friends shook the blocks to hear the different noises.

Our friends looked intently at what was inside each block.

When all of the blocks were emptied out, we all picked up the blocks and put them back into the bin. Everyone did a great job picking up their toys!

When we were done with the blocks, friends decided they wanted to make music. The drums and music shakers were taken down off the shelves for friends to play with.

Friends worked with different rhythms and sounds. We started with soft sounds then worked up to LOUD sounds .

Friends then took turns doing water play. There were many toys including sponges, animals, and boats that were available in the sink. Daniel especially enjoyed taking water from one side of the sink and transferring it to the other side using a measuring cup.

Clara used a sponge to clean the baby. Boy, the baby was sure clean at the end of water play!

P.K. took all of his toys and lined them up on the edge of the sink. We talked about the different animals that he was referring to.

P.K. said, “Hug the bear!”

For breakfast, children had cheerios and banana. Lunch consisted of couscous with chicken, green peas, and apples. PM snack was apples and string cheese.

Have a great night!

-Mindy

This is the question we asked friends as they gathered together on the oval rug. We discussed what a neighborhood IS and then one by one and two by two friends ran to the front and back doors to observe River Park, the Wee Friends neighborhood. They returned with lots of information about what makes a neighborhood: cars, trees, sidewalks and people walking on them, logs and houses were among the many observations they made.

While in our circle, we learned the Sesame Street song “Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?” and belted it out while waiting for friends to return from their research.

Then we invited our Wee Friends and neighbors to the art table where we have begun a 3D model of River Park. With recycled packaging materials, friends created elaborate houses and river boats and fences.

Max and Finn began construction on a railroad.

Sisters Jane and Macy created a house and engaged several friends in an imaginary family exploration.

We have increased our Magna Tile set and friends continue to work with these math tools, ever expanding the complexity of their creations.

Outside, throughout our winterized classroom, the ice offered Wee Friends a very interesting science experiment. First, friends found a shovel, frozen in a pool of water in the back of a toy truck. Melinda led them in their quest to find out “How can we get the shovel out?” After much collaborative problem solving, the accomplished their mission! Then everyone got crazy about ice-running all over the playground looking for ice patches and working to dislodge them.

Next, they found rocks and shovels frozen solid in a black bin. Ellie thought it was the funniest thing she’s ever seen. Again, a conversation ensued about how to get the plastic shovels out. Finn suggested they pour hot water over it and Ada thought putting it where the sun would shine upon it would do the trick. We decided to bring it indoors and study how long it will take for the ice to melt.

Finding the ice, cracking it against the sidewalk and eating it filled the remaining moments of our outside time.

We warmed up inside with a hiding/guessing game: Who is That Friend in Our Neighborhood? Each friend had a chance to hide while the others guessed who was missing, singing our song all the while.

Wee Sprouts: Cucumber slices. Breakfast: Oatmeal and bananas. Lunch: Cous-cous and chicken, peas and pear slices. Snack: Whole wheat pancakes and bananas.

Conversation Starters:

• Who are the people in our neighborhood?
• What happens to ice when it melts?
• Look out the window-can you find your letter?

Have a great day.

Good Afternoon.

Our Wee Wee’s started their morning off with shaving cream. While this sensory activity has been done before, our friends are always a little skeptical when entering the kitchen. Most of our friends dove right in to the sensory play and enjoyed creating and exploring with the shaving cream.

Story time and reading occurred a lot throughout the day. Some friends read together. When friends want to read a book, they ask “please”, “read”, or “help”. Reading time is a great opportunity for friends to come together with a teacher and work on their vocabulary skills as well as social interaction. Taking turns is also a topic during reading time.

Daniel and P.K. looked at a book about food. They both pointed out food that they have in their own home. P.K. pointed to the ‘apples’ and said, “Home.”

Children gathered in the kitchen where they made a variety of food for friends and teachers. We’re getting better at using our words when a friend takes a toy or when we would like something.

Eve dressed her baby. She’s been very caring and gentle with the babies.

Gross motor was explored throughout the day. Whether we were rolling around on the jungle gym or working with the blocks, we were on the go all day!

P.K.’s choo-choo train came roaring through Wee Wee world!

We were on the phone much of the morning! Mom, Dad, and Grandpa were a few family members that we called.

Zoey is moving all around the house. She enjoyed maneuvering herself into a clothing bin as well as walking around the house using chairs and tables to help her.

To end our day, we relaxed and spent time with our friends.

We had a great Tuesday!

Have a terrific night!

-Mindy

Today Wee Friends teachers lined up and asked “Who is the youngest and who is the oldest?” We showed them three pictures: a baby, a middle aged woman and an elderly man. We talked about the different qualities each age group possessed. We filled a bag with different things, pulled the items out and asked “Who would use this?”

We moved the group over to our house collage and each friend took a turn identifying the oldest, middle or youngest family member they could find.

Friends explored the Montessori beads, creating structures, sequencing, counting beads and creating shapes with the bead strings.

 

Wee Sprouts: Carrots. Breakfast: Kix and craisins. Lunch: Tuna fish salad on whole wheat bread, cucumber slices and bananas. Snack: Yogurt and apple slices.

Have a great day.

Happy Monday!

Clara and P.K. started their mornings being involved in different activities with each other. First, they worked with building blocks. P.K. built them high up into the sky and then they talked about the colors of each block.

The trains were taken out and friends pushed the choo-choo’s around the room. Putting the blocks onto the train was a task but our friends took their time and made sure they were on tightly.

Look how tall the tower is!

Zoey enjoyed crawling in and out of the blocks. It was a great gross motor activity! She took a few toys in the block to play with.

Emma jumped, jumped, jumped on the jungle gym today! She loves sliding super fast down the slide and doing it all over again.

At some point in the morning, friends just went off and did their own thing. Whether it was taking a break from play or individual play, the morning went very smoothly!

We made music this afternoon. Zoey play the piano while Daniel took a tool and banged it on the floor making music too!

We also got out the blue tubes. A few of them made sounds such as the bells. P.K. started singing Jingle Bells!

For breakfast, children had English muffins with soy butter and apples. Lunch consisted of whole grain noodles with black beans, applesauce, and green beans. PM snack was goldfish and apples.

Have a terrific evening!

-Mindy

* This is the last call for gymnastics bus and YMCA swim forms/fees! Thank you!

Miss Jennifer and the Blue Bus were back this morning! They worked on the trapeze bar and the octagon barrel. On the bar, the practiced pike and ‘v’ swings. Then they got to swing upside down like bats! On the octagon, they learned a backward walkover. They practiced rockers and at the end of class were steam-rolled! The stamp of the day was a blue bus!

Our sign-in sheet this morning asked friends “How many floors are in your house?” They had 1-2-3 floors to choose from (some friends had 4 floors!). Conversations led us to explore the ideas of top/middle/bottom, 1st, 2nd, 3rd (birth order) and small/medium/large. A couple friends worked with stacking cakes. They built up cakes to correspond with the number of floors they have in their own house. They identified which floor their room is on, as well as the size and sequence of the cakes.

When friends lined up to go potty before hopping on the Blue Bus, they figured out who was first, who was in the middle and who was last in line. The line changed and friends redefined their positions.

We invited friends to choose 3 of the photos they brought in to share, and to tape them in their Wee Friends room.

Arleigh asked if she could make family sculptures. After brainstorming with Melinda, she decided on paper and tape for materials. She scrunched up the paper into balls and got to work. Lea joined her.

Other friends worked side by side: Jane and Macy worked with a “How to Draw” book and Marta created an original work of art for her cousins in Italy.

Sloaners made “a decoration” with Magna Tiles while Marina built a house. Elliott assisted both girls at different points in the process, creating his own work as he went along.

Twice and together, they built a castle. Both times, after finishing, they admired their work then sent it crashing down, only to rebuild again.

 

Pirates Finn and Nate built a ship with a bottom, middle and top deck. They couldn’t sail on it, but Little Animals could!

They moved their operation to the railroad and as they assembled train cars, we identified the first, middle and last on the track.

Friends sat with Lisa and created their families out of our family sorting pieces.

 

We ended our morning work with a musical message board:

You know at Wee Friends we make it a priority to expose our young musicians to an eclectic and quality repertoire and in this light, I feel it my duty to report that Dora was the favorite arrangement of this wonderful song. We were aghast, and feel our work cut out for us. Nevertheless, we explored how the songs were different and enjoyed every minute of working out our bodies and minds to the beat! We are learning a Wee Friends version and belted out the new lyrics as we jumped around.

 

Wee Sprouts:

Breakfast: Whole wheat toast with peanut butter and banana. Lunch: Whole wheat penne pasta with black beans, applesauce and green beans. Snack: Pretzels and cojack cheese.

Happy Monday.

Happy Friday!

Here are a few pictures that were taken throughout the day.

For breakfast, children had Chex and banana. AM snack was Colby jack cheese. Lunch consisted of brown rice with chicken, green peas, and banana. PM snack was animal crackers and raisins.

Have a great weekend!

-Mindy