Thursday, March 26, 2009

Updates


We had a little mix-up between my calendar and Monique's, so instead of weather on Tuesday we had our Music day, which was a big hit!!  The kids loved listening to all different types of music and then interpreting it for us.  Each child was given a chance to say how each song made them feel, or what they thought of when they heard it.  The responses were funny at times, but also really quite insightful.  Classical music received several comments like "I feel sad," or "This music is like my two dead grandpas."  We listened to some traditional Mexican music, which made one child say "I feel the jiggles in me.  I need to dance right now!"  The favorite song of the day, however, was The Phamtom of the Opera.  Who knew?  
The kids loved it, and insisted that we listen to the "witch song" while we were coloring our letter puppets (strangely named Ugly Ugboo).   Afterward, we learned about musical instruments and, of course, danced while using our classroom instruments, as well as the shakers we made as a class.  Sorry we didn't get any time to deocrate them!!  

Thursday, March 26
I thought I'd post about our hygiene day today, so you weren't confused about the "cleanliness chart."  We spent a good part of the day talking about habits that keep us healthy, clean, and happy.  Talk with your kids about how to dress appropriately for the weather, how being sick makes them feel, what to do when you need to cough (use your elbow!), how to properly wash their hands (sing the ABC song, washing all around, in between, and on top), wash their faces, and brush their teeth.  We also talked about eating healthy and fresh foods--stay away from anything that looks like it might be moldy!  We also talked about how they are able to independently take care of their own hygiene.  If Mom is too busy to wash your face, for example, you could do it yourself.  They also got to practice combing their own hair (Sorry, Moms!) and washing their hands.  We also talked about how to properly brush teeth (two whole minutes!  We did a pretend practice so they could see how long it actually takes).

The "Cleanliness chart" is just to empower your child and encourage them to take responsibility for their own hygiene.  I don't need it back.  We talked about washing faces if your family doesn't do daily bathtubs.  Please help your children remember this, but give them some free reign as they practice taking care of themselves.

At the end of class, we made comb kazoos with wax paper and the combs your child received.  One rousing song of "Twinkle, Twinkle" later, the kids were itching their "buzzy lips."  Music makes us happy!!!



Our classroom's new favorite book:

We've actually read it two days in a row now. I got lots of funny comments on it, but my favorite was "That is the Beast.  Where is Belle?"

Monday, March 23, 2009

Finally, a new post!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!  I know this is a terrible excuse, but I just completely forgot to post the second Feb. and first March posts!  So, here's a quick update of a whole month's worth of fun:  (These are not at all in order :).


We'll begin with our Treehouse Museum Field trip!  We were so glad to see our friends that were able to come.  We had lots of fun watching as some of our preschool friends got to put on a play with puppets, and of course playing all around the museum.  Play is a child's work!! Through play, your preschooler is learning to make plans, develop strategies, and problem solvign skills.  I'm sorry I couldn't get pictures of everyone in our class.  They were everywhere!!

Also,  Happy Birthday, Deakin!!  We were all excited for Deakin's birthday leader day.  Thanks for the yummy basketball cupcakes, Mom!
Spring
We were also able to go on a "spring hunt" looking for signs of spring.  Take a look at what we found!
We found all sorts of bugs as we dug up Miss Monique's garden!  We saw earthworms, centipedes, flies, potato bugs, and even centipede eggs!  They were all still a little sleepy, but they woke up when we started searching.  We talked all about how everything is blooming and growing.  We found buds, blossoms, weeds, and even some birds flying home from their winter homes.
 

Winter Spring




Valentine's Day!
Here are some pictures I forgot to post from our V-day party:


Transportation Day:
We learned all about things that GO!  Thanks to one of our preschool dads, each child was able to make their very own self-moving vehicle :).  We finished off the day by having a race on the driveway.  Big thanks to Camille's dad!!


Ogden Nature Center Field trip:

We had so much fun at the Nature Center!  We learned new songs, saw all sorts of animals, had a yummy snack, and made a fun craft.  Some of the animals we saw were:  a snake, a tarantula, all sorts of birds of prey, even a deer!