Winter in Kanga's Kids

The children of Kanga's Kids absolutely adore the snow. We have been watching it fall and cover the ground. We can be seen making snow angels and footprints during outside time. Last week we spent time practicing how to get ourselves warmly dressed to go outside. We learned a song to help us remember the order to put our clothes on. It is sung to the tune of Oh My Darling and it goes like this...
"Put our snowpants on
and now our boots
Then our coats go on our arms
Now our hats and now mittens
Zip them up to keep us warm."

We also made Christmas cards to take to Ridgecreast Health Campus to pass out after carolling.

Reminder: We have a pajama day on 12/16. We will be watching movies and eating popcorn and relaxing for the holiday.

Elmo's Explorers: The Week At A Glance

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the children in Elmo's Explorers have been participating in festive holiday activities. Each child decorated a feather to put on the classroom turkey that Ms. Melissa designed. They shared with Ms. Melissa and Ms. Theresa things that they were thankful for. Many of the children shared that they were most thankful for their families!

Ms. Theresa's small group made turkeys out of the children's handprints. This project is a fun one for families to keep because it reminds parents how quickly children grow and change from year to year. Ms. Melissa's group made "pumpkin pies" using shaving cream, orange paint, glue, and pumpkin spice.

Both small groups were able to taste a variety of pie fillings; blueberry, cherry, apples, and pumpkin pie... yum, yum! They were then encouraged to communicate with their group about their favorite flavor as we graphed the results. Blueberry was definitely the classroom favorite; which should help our families decide what kind of pie to have on Thanksgiving!

Ms. Theresa and Ms. Melissa woul dliek to thank all of the parents and children for being so patient and flexible this week while our room has been under construction. The children did an awesome job transitioning into another classroom, while those children were on Thanksgiving break. We are sure that you will be pleased with the results when you see our room again after break!

Grocery Store and More!

Grocery stores provide multiple opportunities for learning; counting, comparing attributes, describing objects, events, and relations, and using vocabulary related to a particular situation, just to name a few.

In Magic Kingdom this week we spent time exploring grocery stores; making purchases, waiting in line, talking about items which can be found in a grocery store, and solving problems related to materials.

We set up a pretend grocery store in our classroom composed of items donated by our families. The children were given fifteen counting bears as their currency, each representing one dollar. The children gathered items off the shelves and placed them into their mesh shopping bags. They then waited in line to pay for their treasures. In order to aid the children in grasping the concept that each item costs money they were required to pull one item out of their bag at a time and pay for it individually. Many of the children noticed that with each purchase they made the less currency they had in their possession. After they completed checking-out they returned their purchases to the shelf for another friend to take a turn.

As an extension to the grocery store exploration the children were provided with a tremendous opportunity to make and eat a food often consumed in Japan, another culture represented in our classroom. We received a visit from two of our mom's who helped us make Japanese Rice Balls. The children were encouraged to stir the rice and seasoning mix, mold the rice into balls, and eat their creation. A surprising number, 14 out of 19, children enjoyed their rice balls; some asked for seconds (and thirds)!

Next time you are in the grocery store take time to have a purposeful conversation with the child about the process you are taking to choose items; those that cost less money, are you using a list, searching for a favorite brand, buying multiple items because it is something consumed often by your family. Allow your child to pay the cashier for an item to help them experience that actual give and take of money.

The children of Magic Kingdom thoroughly enjoyed their grocery store exploration. Who knew that we could learn so much from going grocery shopping?

Halloween Happenings

On Friday, October 29th ABC Academy on Laurence Avenue enjoyed many Halloween Festivities. All of the children dressed up in their costumes and we paraded around to each classroom and on the playground.

Magic Kingdom explored a large pumpkin in the sensory table and a pumpkin match game that encouraged the children to the number of dots on one pumpkin to the corresponding
number written on another. We also used toilet paper to wrap eachother, our teachers, and our wonderfully helpful parents into mummies!

As I write this blog, I have a child sitting on my lap. I asked him, "what should we tell people about our Halloween party?" His response... "tell them that we should have another one." I think that is confirmation that we all had a great time!

New School Year in Sesame Street

As we have started in on a new school year we have been taking some extra time to learn more about each of our children. We used crayons to draw self-portraits. We measured our heights and displayed them on a bulletin board. We alos made prints of our hands and feet.

This week we used all five of our senses to explore a variety of apples! We sorted them, noticed their similiarities and differences, ate them, rolled them, painted with them, and smelled them. It was an intriguing and informational way to begin our new school year.

A New School Year!

Welcome to a new school year at ABC Academy filled with learning, growth, and success! This year you can be prepared to expect many great things from us; beginning with your child's preschool education.

A child's education begins long before they step foot into their kidnergarten classroom. In the preschool setting children learn about the importance of cooperating in a group environment, develop the ability to solve problems, are instilled with confidence and independence, and they are able to create their foundation for further learning. Their skills in all academic areas are postively impacted by their presence in preschool; such as math, science, language and literacy, and creative representation.

We recognize our importance and the importance of parents in their children's development. We have designed a system that will reach each child on a more individual level. We gathered information about our children and their families through our Parent Teacher Conferences which focused on preparing the children for their new classroom and setting goals for the children. Each day as we write our lesson plans we will plan for specific children; using their interests and goals to create a small group time activity.
For example, In Magic Kingdom one goal that we have set for a couple of children is the ability to recognize letters and their corresponding sounds. One of those children holds a strong interest in playdough. As a result, playdough was used to create letter forms and practice their sounds. This child was engaged, advancing towards the mastery of their goal, and excited about it!

During the year, we will be continuing to help the students acheive their goals and collaborate with their parents to develop ones. We are excited to be working so closely with our families to enhance the children's education.

Summer Fun in the Kitchen

Butterfly Sandwiches

You'll Need:

Bread
Cream cheese, peanut butter, or other bread spread
Bananas, raisins, pickles, vegetable slices, soft fruits... be creative and colorful!

How to:

Create an open faced butterfly sandwich by cutting a slice of bread diagonally, then reversing the halves to form a butterfly shape. Spread the chosen bread spread, then decorate with the colorful foods of your choice!

Take some time this summer to explore exciting activities at home with your child. This simple kitchen creation can be done in the kitchen or on a picnic blanket in your yard! Have fun and Enjoy!

Splashing into Summer!

Laurence Avenue welcomed summer with an excited splash during their first Water Play Day on Monday, June 21st. Little bodies wearing sunscreen, swim suits and water shoes could be found jumping into puddles, splashing in the water table and filling buckets from the sprinkler.

The slow steady stream of water coming from the sprinkler become a testament of a determined preschooler's patience. Many of them stood with their buckets underneath the falling water droplets until they were almost too heavy to carry. Then they dumped the water from their buckets into the water table. Once the table had a couple of inches of standing water, the kids took turns removing the plug. They watched the water spiral through the small hole back onto the playground and learned a new word, "cyclone".

Puddles of water were encouraging to several of the kids and they repeatedly jumped into them. They were helped to discover that the deeper the water and the harder they jumped, the bigger the splash they made. They also realized that the splash made from their feet was vastly different than that made by a ball; and the splash from a large ball was different than that of a smaller ball.

Our first Water Play Day was warm, wet and full of learning experiences. The children are already excited for the next Water Play Day, next Tuesday.

Heading "Into the Wild"

We kicked off our summer this week and headed "Into the Wild" by turning into scientists and performing a variety of wild experiments. Early in the week we explored what would happen by mixing a couple of mentos (the fresh maker) with a bottle of diet pop. The reaction was quite explosive as we saw a geyser occur right on our very own playground. Throughout the week we also used our scientific skills to explore jelly crystals and energy beads. Our final experiment of the week combined a lot of hands-on work and critical thinking skills as we teamed up to create egg shelters. Using a variety of household objects partners were assigned the task of creating a shelter that would house an egg and prevent it from cracking when dropped a long distance from up high.

When not performing scientific experiments the Youth Group spent some time this week welcoming everyone back for the summer and getting to know one another. We all made collages displaying some of our favorite things and shared our explanation for each picture in the collage. We also created some zany balloon self-portraits using a balloon and other materials such as yarn, markers, and wallpaper samples.

It was a great first week for the Youth Group. We are looking forward to a lot of "wild" experiences throughout the rest of our summer!

Exploring Bugs

In Sesame Street, we have been learning about many different types of bugs. We read The Caterpillar Dance, a book the children love. We spent time learning about the lesson this book illustrates, which is the change from caterpillar to butterfly.

We created various art projects centered around bugs using materials such as paint, glue, rocks, potatoes, paper plates and of course, our hands!

We moved our bodies like bugs; hopping like grasshoppers, flying like... you guessed it, flies, and crawling like ants. We enjoyed an ant race as we crawled around the playground collecting pieces of play food and transporting them to different baskets.

We had fun and learned a lot about bugs during our exploration this week.

The Dress I'll Wear To The Party

This Is The Dress I'll Wear To The Party by Shirley Neitzel started out a small group time that fostered creative thinking, problem solving skills and social skills. As a little girl prepares for a party she chooses a dress and many, many accessories to wear but there is a problem... the decorative outfit she chooses to wear is developed from her mother's wardrobe.

After reading this story we decided that we would have a party of our own. The children were prompted in planning and putting together their party. Through our discussion we discovered that we would need chairs, clothes, shoes, music, food, and cake at our party.

We adorned ourselves in suit jackets, dresses, dress-up shoes, and hats. Ms. Jolene laid out a table cloth and the children gathered food from the fridge and dishes from the shelves that would be helpful for eating the dinner at our party. Many children used pegs and peg boards to "bake" a birthday cake. When the cake was done they carried to the table and everyone sang the "Happy Birthday Song".

Careful questioning allowed Ms. Jolene to prompt the children in discovering, planning, and creating their own party complete with food, music, cake, guests, fun, and ofcourse learning!

Key Developmental Indicators:

Initiating play

Pretending

Relating to children and adults

Having fun with language

Using vocabulary

Problem solving

Listening and responding

Rainy Days

It has been a rainy week in Jackson which has resulted in a soaking wet playground and children that have had to stay inside. In Big Bird Buddies we decided to bring some outside activities indoors...

Sidewalk Chalk Drawings: We brought a big piece of black paper into the classroom and laid it on the floor. Instead of coloring on the sidewalk, we colored all over the paper!

Picnic: We filled a picnic basket with plastic food, plates, and silverware, spread a blanket across the floor and practiced having a picnic. Why would we practice having a picnic? Monday, weather permitting, we will be having a picnic with real food and silverware on the playground.

Farm Day: We pulled our farm animals off the shelf and borrowed Ms. Ciera's barn. We made animal noises and played pretend. Then we used foam to make our own farm animals.

Music and Movement: We listened to Dr. Jean's "Bear Hunt" song. We marched around the room on a bear hunt. We went through a swamp and into a cave. We moved our bodies in various ways, listening and responding to Dr. Jean's instructions.

Though we have enjoyed a fun week indoors, we are certainly ready for warmer, drier weather!

Spring Break in Kanga's Kids

During Spring Break, the teachers in Kanga's Kids completed their home visits. Thank you to all of our families that welcomed us into their homes!

In early April, we explored and learned all about pets. We ate like pets, moved like pets, and most exciting of all, we made our favorite pet noises. Woof, Woof! Meow!

Bugs have become the latest trend in our classroom. We placed a spider into a small bug cage inside our classroom and observed it for a short time. The children were careful to remember that it would need something to climb on and a place to hide.

The children have been enjoying the warm, Spring weather. During outside time, our kids can be found riding bicycles, searching for bugs, running races, or playing pretend.

Take time to explore the outdoors with your children! It provides many learning opportunties!

Bubbles and Flyswatters?

Sesame Street spent the week using a wide variety of materials to explore bubbles.

The children were encouraged to pop the bubbles using several different body parts; hands, elbows, feet, and heads.

During another exploration, bubble solution was poured into a pan and the children used some interesting household supplies to blow bubbles; flyswatters, bubble wands, cookie cutters, stacking rings, and a sifter.

The children in Sesame Street discovered that their puppets love to eat bubbles! As Ms. Ciera blew bubbles the children caught them in the mouths of their puppets.

They observed bubbles as they popped on paper. They painted with bubble solution and used straws to create bubbly rainbows on coffee filters.

Key Developmental Indicators from this exploration:
Moving in locomotor and nonlocomotor ways, moving with objects, pretending and role playing, drawing and painting, describing objects, creating and experiencing collaborative play, using something in several ways, observing things from different viewpoints.

Looking for a fun at home project? Put your bubble solution into the freezer for an hour. Take the solution out, blow bubbles, and observe.

What will happen? Your bubbles will last longer in the air and they will also have a cracked appearance!

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. ~Clay P. Bedford

Mini March for Cystic Fibrosis

We are pleased to announce that our second annual Mini March for Cystic Fibrosis was a complete success! We have raised $575 to support research and treatment and money is still being donated.

The children were sponsored to walk laps around the playground for one half hour. Between 10:45 and 11:15 am the children could be seen walking, marching, or running around the orange construction cones that marked their path.

Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. In the 1950's, children diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis could only expect to live to see elementary school. Through medical advances and research funded by walk-a-thons just like this, the life expectancy of someone with Cystic Fibrosis has dramatically risen to the 30's, 40's, or beyond!

We are honored to have been a part of fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Decorating for Spring

Pooh Corner has been busy creating decorations for hanging around the classroom and welcoming spring! Our most recent project involved bingo dobbers, yellow finger paint, and paper plates. The infants used these materials to make buzzing baby bumblebees!

A few of the babies found the most excitement by using their touch and taste senses to explore the paper plates.

When Ms. Amber introduced the finger paint it went unnoticed by many of the babies. Unnoticed that is, until their fingers "accidentally" touched it.

It was exciting and amazing to watch the wonder in their eyes as the plates and their hands changed colors!

Magic Kingdom Easter Egg Hunt

Last Friday,while we were watching the movie Horton Hears a Who, the "Easter Bunny" hid Easter eggs all over the playground for the children to find. Each child was able to search for three eggs to put into the Easter bag that they had decorated earlier in the week.

The children put on their coats and the classroom door opened - the hunt had begun! The children immediately ran toward the back of the playground to find their first of three eggs. Some of the children found three quickly, while others hide to hunt a bit harder.

As everyone knows, there is always one egg that is almost impossible to find. The entire class began looking for the final egg. The children searched in all of the places they imagined it could be hidden; along the fence, under the trees, the sandbox, and behind the barn. They were ready to give up when Ms. Andrea noticed something pink peeking out of the empty flowerpot right outside our classroom door. The children investigated and sure enough, it was the final Easter egg!

The Easter egg hunt had come to an end. It was time to head inside to enjoy a delicious lunch of chicken nuggets, cut-up veggies, fruit salad, and cookies. The children cannot wait until next year to see where the "Easter Bunny" will hide the eggs. Will they be able to find them all?

Exploring "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

The children of Big Bird Buddies have been exploring The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This unique book provides many learning opportunities for young children. The story of an egg that hatches into a "very tiny and very hungry caterpillar" and eats a variety of foods, increasing in number, each day of the week. Finally this caterpillar, which has become "a big fat caterpillar" wraps into a cocoon. When he nibbles his way out he is a "beautiful butterfly".

Number: Counting Objects
Using an old oatmeal can with a lid and construction paper, we created our very own hungry caterpillar. There is a great big mouth cut into the lid provides the children to "feed" the caterpillar and count the food pieces he is given. "On Friday, he ate through five oranges. But he was still hungry!"

Mathematics and Science: Natural objects; living and nonliving
The children experience a simplified version of a caterpillar's life cycle. They recognize the process of change over time.

The children are also exposed to the days of week and the concept of time; as the caterpillar stays in his cocoon for two weeks.

Home to School Connection
Our families have been given the opportunity to experience this learning at home with their children. Our "Book in a Bag" activity is now filled with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, our own class-made caterpillar and his food, materials to create a butterfly, and of course a camera to document their excitement and learning!

We encourage you to experience this book at home with your children! The possibilities are endless!

March in Kanga's Kids

March was the month for birthdays; we had five children turning five and anticipating a birthday treat and milk!

Dr. Seuss also had a birthday this month. We experienced sequence, change and casuality through making green eggs and ham as inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham. The children were heard exclaiming, "they are turning yellow!" "Now they are green!" Are you wondering what we did with our green eggs and ham? We ate them, of course, well... we tried them at least. Then we created a chart to indicate whether we liked, disliked, or refused to try the green eggs and ham!

On our "wearing o' the green day", we had a great green celebration. The students took turns hunting for green coins around the classroom and then counting our findings! We found the lucky amount, 18! Looking for lucky shamrocks the students gave each other clues and experience identifying position and direction saying, "look up." "Look under." "Find them underneath."

We will end the month of March with a day full of camping experiences. We will be putting up tents, cooking hot dogs and eating s'mores! We plan to tell stories around a "campfire" thus enhancing language and communication by having fun with language and relating to adults and other children.

Fox in Socks Day

On Dr. Seuss' birthday, March 2nd, we had a "Fox in Socks Day". The children were able to explore a variety of activities throughout the day to expand their appreciation for the book, Fox in Socks.

On this day, we took off our shoes and paraded around the classroom wearing only our socks! We took turns wearing and having our picture taken in a tall striped hat, similar to the one worn by "The Cat in the Hat" and holding our Fox in Socks stuffed animal, while we listened to the story.

At group time, we painted with socks and used blocks to build tall towers inspired by those mentioned in the book. We explored the mysterious blue goo (a combination of equal parts glue and shaving cream, then colored with blue paint) in which Fox and Mr. Knox discover a Goo-Goose. We also manipulated boxes, like the one that Slow Joe Crow sews Mr. Knox into; climbing inside them, pushing them, and stacking them.

We had an extremely educational and exciting day role playing Fox in Socks.

Think Spring!

Pooh Corner has been expanding with new faces over the past few months. It is truly amazing to watch our new babies adapt to their new environment and all of our babies grow and develop.
We have been working diligently on the Key Developmental Indicator of Communication and Language with our infants. We have been reading to them and holding meaningful conversation with them throughout all parts of the day. Though they do not use words to return communication with us, they sure do love to babble back!
Recently Pooh Corner was given sand for the babies to explore. Lola and Sophie really enjoyed discovering the sand and its unique texture. Now we are extremely excited for spring, when we can experience the playground and its giant sandbox!

March is Reading Month!

Do you remember the excitement of turning the bright and colorful pages of your favorite book? Or reciting from memory every word on the page even before you were able to read? That excitement is what reading is all about and it is the feeling that we hope to instill within the hearts of our preschoolers this month. With reading month upon us, do not forget to fill out shamrocks with the titles of the books that you and your child are reading at home. We hope to see our “Reading Rainbow” overflowing with shamrocks soon!
To help you out this month, we decided to compile a list of tips and tricks for reading to your children in order to help promote their language and literacy development. First, try to read to your child on a daily basis. If you have a lack of confidence about your own reading ability, have no worries. Children are more than satisfied to hear a story that matches the pictures; their concern is not about whether or not the words have been read correctly. When you read do not be afraid to use expression and emotion to portray the words or situation within the story; changing your voice when a character is speaking adds interest as well. Pause during the story to ask questions that will get your child thinking more critically about the story. Prompts and questions that are helpful to ask include: “I wonder what will happen next”, “How do you think (a specific character) is feeling?” “I wonder why that character made that choice.”
If the story you are reading is familiar or repetitive you can stop at words or phrases and allow your child to fill in the missing pieces. While reading, make note of the letters on the page, words that rhyme or begin with the same sound, or words that may be unfamiliar to your child. It is also helpful to follow the words across the page to encourage your child to notice the top to bottom, left to right pattern in the way we read. Most importantly, have fun when you read to your child. When they see you having fun while reading they will learn that books are fun and strive to be better readers themselves!

Here is a list of books that we love to read in our class:
-Anything written by Dr. Seuss
-Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
-The Very Hungry Caterpillar
-Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
-Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”
-The Cow That Laid an Egg
-Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco
-Dr. Ted
-The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear
-Never Ever Shout at a Zoo
-Go Away Big Green Monster
-Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
*Add a comment below and let us know what you are reading at home!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

~ Emilie Buchwald ~

Fly to Florida

A beach, Busch Gardens, the Everglades... oh my! Every year ABC Academy transforms from a child care center into the Sunshiney State of Florida; engaging our student's imagination and creativity by promoting an exciting and stimulating learning experience. Each room portrays a different Floridian theme and the classes rotate between them. This year we boarded an "airplane" in Kanga's Kids and prepared to visit the beach, Busch Gardens, a bibbitti-bobbitt boutique, and the Everglades.

At the beach... Big Bird Buddies was disguised in a sand and shovel covered floor. Three water tables were filled with fish and fishing poles, boats, and ducks for the students to explore. Sea shells, sea creatures, and a real lobster were displayed for their observation.

In the boutique... Magic Kingdom became a salon fit for a queen or kids! There were princess and fairy costumes for the students to dress in, hair styling materials, and children's make-up for creating the ultimate "princess" feel. Then we had crowns and eye-patches to be worn by our little pirates and sensory table filled with shaving cream!

Visiting Busch Gardens... Sesame Street was the home of stuffed animals caged by waffle blocks. The students were given a cup filled with beans and rice and encouraged to fill the food bowls inside of the cages. They also had the opportunity to decorate a jellyfish using glue, tissue paper, aluminum foil pieces, and markers to take home as a souvenir.

The Everglades... Kanga's Kids provided stuffed alligators for the students to explore. Buckets filled with water and plastic sea creatures for the students to "dive" and search for.

We are grateful that we have the ability to provide such an enriching and amazing experience for our little learners!

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
Chinese Proverb

Kanga's Kids in February

Doctors and dentists filled the dramatic play area this month. Our students had a great time pretending to work in the doctor’s office located in our play area. Some favorite items included a keyboard, schedule, bandages, dental tools, big teeth and a heart. Putting on the stethoscope and listening to our hearts we hear the sound, “bump, bump, bump,” said one student. “There now you’re all better,” said another.
*Key Experience(s): Relating to other children, Relating to adults, Initiating Play

For Valentine’s Day the students wrote their names on big envelopes that they decorated with stickers. Taking turns they passed out their treats while practicing their friendship manners. We are working on using words of friendship like; “please” “share”, “thanks”, and “would you like to play?”
* Key Experience(s): Writing, Creative Representation

We will be ending this month with a field trip to Burger King to see “What happens behind the counter. Then we will take a pretend field trip as we “fly to Florida”.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."
Albert Einstein

Educational Value in Conversation Hearts

This week Big Bird Buddies and Magic Kingdom students were able to explore Conversation Candy Hearts! The students were given a small basket with approximately fifteen candy hearts inside. They were encouraged to manipulate the candies independently and creatively.

Maddie sorted her hearts by color and then counted the number of hearts in each sorted pile. Emilio arranged ten hearts into the form of the letter 'c' and then said, "look Jolene, I made a 'c'." Later Emilio laid them across the table in a vertical line and reported, "I'm making Yedi tracks!" Noah used one to one correspondence and counted that he had fourteen hearts total. Aiden began to notice that the candy hearts had a scent, he bent towards the table and said, "Oh, those smell good." When it came time to taste test our candy hearts Logan scrunched up his face and said, "it's sour."

Key Developmental Indicators that correspond with this activity:
Initiative: Initiating play.
Social Relations: Relating to adults, Relating to other children
Creative Representation: Making and building models, Pretending
Mathematics and Science: Sorting objects, Identifying patterns, Comparing properties, Counting, Identifying materials and properties.

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and it's best hope for the future"
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Splish, Splat

Butter lids make wonderful painting tools. Yes, butter lids. I hot-glued cardboard rings onto butter lids to create a handle to help our little hands with their panting. The children placed spoonfuls of paint on their paper and then used their new tool for splattering the paint across the paper.

Some of the children used the lids as spreading implements. Lola used the butter lid for a few minutes and decided that her fingers were better equipped for her desired result.

Though this experience required some extra clean-up it was entirely worth the mess. They enjoyed the opportunity to express their creativity through new material.

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. Erich Fromm

Making Crayons!

Want to spice up the crayons that your children color with?

Materials:
Crayons (with paper removed)
Silcone baking container (in any desired shape)
Oven
1 tablespoon of desired scent

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2.Unwrap the paper from the crayons
3. Layer crayons in baking container and add scent
4. Place in oven and bake until wax is melted
5. Remove from oven and allow to harden
6. Enjoy your new crayons

*To make many circular crayons a cupcake pan could be used.

Icy Suncatchers

The students in Big Bird Buddies and Magic Kingdom were able to help Ms. Jolene recycle curling ribbon and tinsel remaining from the holiday season. We put about an inch of water in the bottom of an empty butter dish. Then we added a colorful variety of curling ribbon pieces, gold tinsel, and sprinkled glitter over the top. After we placed both ends of a strand of red yarn into the water, to create a handle, we set the bowls outside to freeze.

Once the suncathers are completely frozen we will hang them outside our classroom windows!

This simple activity encompassed many key developmental indicators; such as communication and language, mathematics and science, and creative representation! If you have ribbons, sequins, tinsel, glitter, or other shiny materials around the house, then I suggest taking some time to get in-touch with your inner child and make an icy suncather alongside your child. You will learn just as much they do! Have fun!

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust

Book In A Bag

Big Bird Buddies has put a new spin on the word "bookbag". We have placed the book Ten Little Ladybugs, a beanie ladybug, red playdough, a camera, and paper inside a tote bag which says, "Read With Me". Our families will be taking turns exploring our travelling bag at home. They are encouraged to read the story and be creative with the other elements.

Ms. Jolene was the first person to take the activity home. She spent time reading the story, using the playdough to create her own ladybug, and enjoyed the beanie's company as she constructed a picture of her experience.

We are hoping that this experience promotes diverse at-home literacy; reading is more than repeating written words. It is about bringing the story to life and we sincerely hope that this activity creates a renewed love for books and spending quality time with family.

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”
~Clay P. Bedford