Science with the Kitties

Last month, the Kitties learned how to turn apples into applesauce!  First, we felt the apples.  We introduced the terms hard and solf, and noted that the apples felt very hard.  Then our teachers cut the apples up.  We put them in a bowl and microwaved them.  Each Kitty got a Ziplock bag with the apples in them.  We got to mash them up!  We felt how the texture went from hard to soft the more we smashed them.  We then added cinnamon, and put them in bowls.  The Kitties loved each and every bite!

Science witht the Chipmunks

The Chipmunks love to do Science!  In preparation for Fall, we started talking all about apples.  Some of the children already went apple picking.  We asked the children what we can make with apples and we decided on Applesauce.  Each child was able to get a turn putting the measured ingredients in the crock pot.  The children were amazed after nap time when we checked on our applesauce.  They could not believe how the apples transformed from a solid to a liquid.  We placed our applesauce in the refrigerator to eat a cool and refreshing snack after playground time.  We can not wait to cook again!  

Science with the Turtles

This month, the Turtles have been getting to know one another and have been sharing a little bit about themselves.  One of our favorite subjects so far is science!  We are learning that science is all around us and almost everything involves science.  One of our favorite activities we did in September, was to study our fingerprints under a magnifying glass. We pressed our fingerprints onto pads and made prints on paper.  We had a chance to compare and contrast our fingerprints so we could see that although we are very similar, our fingerprints are all unique.   We also had a chance to look into a mirror and spoke about what we saw.  We noticed that everyone had a face with eyes, a nose and mouth.  

The Turtles even had a scientific lesson during our cooking lesson.  As a class, we made homemade butter using heavy cream and salt.   We turned a liquid into a solid by mixing the cream and salt together!  We know now that speed plays a factor in making butter; the faster you mix the cream and salt, the faster it becomes butter!  Later, crackers with our homemade butter turned out to be a tasty treat!

Math with the Angels

The Angels had fun with math last month by creating a group art project using apples.  We reviewed our colors by using a red, a green and a yellow apple to make apple prints.  Every child got a chance to pick which color apple they wanted to stamp and then had to match the color paint to their apple.  They then dipped and stamped their half sliced apple onto a big sheet paper.  When our project dried, we reviewed our numbers and counted how many apple prints we made in each color.  The Angels had so much fun counting and had an even better time getting messy with the paint.  Great job Angels!

Math with the Sunflowers

Math is presented in your child's life everyday from counting and sorting, to learning about the shapes and numbers of the month.  We love to make learning fun and interactive.  Each week the children engage in enjoyable art projects that help with hand-eye coordination and math skills!  The Sunflowers also learn math skills by using the Shapes and Colors posters during Circle Time.  After reading the story of the day, Miss Linda and Miss Ashley review colors, shapes and numbers on the posters.  The children are asked to try and identify the color, number or shape that Miss Linda or Miss Ashley asks them to fine.  Sometimes, some assistance is needed and when the children need assistance, the teachers try and get the other children to help before they jump in!  This teaches the chidlren how to help each other and also how to ask for help when needed!  This is also a great way to get you child's wheels turning at the beginning of the day!

Math with the Ducks

For the month of September, the theme was "Welcome to Pre-K."  For math, students put together a picture of themselves on the first day of school.  Students counted how many pieces were in their puzzle and then arranged them to make a completed puzzle.  Students also counted how many people were in their family.  Using a sponge shaped like a person, students applied the number of people in their family to their paper.  Students then described who was in their family and counted the total number.

Another math activity the Ducks completed was an AB pattern.  As a group, students learned what an AB pattern was by completing a pattern using the manipulative bears.  Students then made their own patterns with the bears to show they understood how to do an AB pattern.  Students then glued an AB pattern using a picture of a house and a picture of a school.

For the month of September, the Bunnies have been focusing on getting acquainted with different materials used for art.  We have just begun introducing mediums, from crayons to paints, in an array of projects done individually and as a group.  To start the new school year, we have introduced the concept, "A is for Apple," in Circle Time with flash cards.  This was the focus of our first art project.  We began by taking a brush and applying the red paint to one hand.  The children were able to explore what holding the brush was like with assistance, as well as feeling the paint in their hands, and finally making the hand print of paper.  Also incorporated this month were group art projects, where we taped large sheets of paper to the tables and gather around together to draw and color with crayons and learn about different colors. 

Art with the Lions

There were so many great things to be learned in September, but one of our favorite things was making and meeting new friends. Most of the children have known each other from other rooms, but we spent a whole day learning all about friends new and old. We started the day in circle time asking questions about each other and then we completed our "Circle of Friend's Door." I took pictures of the children on the playground and each child was given their picture to put on the door next to their friends. We sang song about friends and read stories about friendship.  The last part of the day was our friendship chain, the children were each given a strip of paper and were asked to color or design it anyway they wanted. When the children were all finished, we took each strip and stapled it in a circle to another strip and we formed our chain. The children were so proud of how good it looked they wanted to show it off to everyone so we hung it outside in front of our cubbies for all to see.

Art with the Dolphins

The Unit Topic for the month of September was "Welcome to Pre-K."  For art, students created self-portraits.  The purpose of the "Self-Portraits" was to get students to become familiar with their own features and characteristics; to see what makes us unique in our own ways.  Before students created their self-portraits both Miss Theresa and Miss Jackie demonstrated how to make a self-portrait by making one of themselves.  After students completed their "Self-Portraits," they were asked, "Looking at your self-portrait, how would you describe yourself?"

The second activity we did as a class was "Family Portraits."  The family portraits allowed for students to show and tell others who is in their family.  Students drew their family, then presented their drawing to the class. This allowed for the other students, as well as the teachers to see who is in everyone's family.  After students completed their "Family-Portraits" they were asked, "How many people are in your family?  Who are the people in your family?"

Music with Snuggie II

Last month, the children in Snugglies II had lots of fun incorporating Music throughout their day.  In the gym we love listening to "Baby Shark" and other Fun Songs while we stretch out and crawl around.  During Circle Time we learn songs like the "ABC Song," "If You're Happy and You Know It," "Open Shut Them," and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."  At naptime we use the soothing sounds of lullabies to help relax us and wind us down to rest.  We enjoy music during all of our activities and look forward to learning new songs when we start Edu Music next month!

Music with the Monkeys

Welcome to the start of a year of fun and learning in the Monkey room!  Since some of our friends are new, a fun way to learn each other's name is through singing songs!  During our morning Circle Time, we start off with the song, "Who's Here Today?"  and we say each child's name that is in that day.  If they are here, we shout, "HOORAY!"  (This is their favorite part.)  Once we have put their names on the "Who's Here Today" board, we move on to "Hello Friends."  "Hello Friends" is one of our favorite Mr. Kenny songs!  We get to say "Hello" to each child and each teacher during this song.  The Monkeys also love to sing songs when walking through the hallway to get to our specialty rooms.  The children really do love to sing their way through the day!  It's not only a fun way to get through our day, it's also a really fun way to learn!

Music with the Bears

With My Family 

(Sung to the muffin man) 

Tell me what you like to do, 

Like to do, like to do. 

Tell me what you like to do. 

With your family 

(Sally)likes to go (swimming)

Go swimming, go swimming

Sally likes to go swimming 

With her family 

(You can change song to each child.) 

In the month of September, the students were able to learn about music as we welcomed everyone to Pre-K.  The Bears sang, "Hello Friends" and learned everyone's names in our class.  We learned how to keep the beat of the song as we clapped along with the syllables of our names.  We counted how many girls and boys are in our class.  All the children had fun counting our friends.  During meeting time, all the children were getting to know each other and their families.  Ms. Kerin had asked the children who were in their families.  Ms. Kerin recorded their answers on chart paper for the children to reference to throughout the day.  Later, the children took paper cut outs and two crayons and made pictures of their family on the paper.  

Angels

During lunchtime, Charlie picked up a green bean and shouted, "I like beans!"

Bears

The children were sitting at the table for snack and eating family style.  Riley and Victoria were talking about all the different options we had to offer everyone.  Riley said to Victoria, "I wish my mom would put this many snacks on the table when Miro and I are eating."  Victoria responded, "Well my mom and dad give Nico and I lots of food."

Bumblebees

While the children were waiting to be served pizza for lunch, Miss Karolina asked them, "Where's the pizza?"  Gabby replied, "In the oven!" 

Chipmunks

As we were preparing for Circle Time, Jeanne found the pointer that we use for our charts.  She then sat on the cushion and said, "I can do Circle Time today!"

Dolphins

While doing the activity "Self-Portraits," students were asked, "Looking at your self-portrait, how would you describe yourself?"  Aoife said, "I am making swirly lines to make curls because I have so many curls in my hair.  I have crazy curls!"

Ducks

While we were getting ready to begin Circle Time, Mason announced that he was so happy to be a Duck!

Kitties

While doing flash cards, Ms. Katie showed a card with a bed on it.  She then asked, "What do we do on the bed?"  Sophia put her finger to her lip and said "Shhhh."

Lions

When Naomi came back from Acrobatics class, Miss Melissa asked, "How was your class?  What did you do?  Naomi responded, "I did some moves," and proceeded to wiggle around.

Monkeys

One day when it was Coopers turn to get changed, his teacher said, "Cooper, are you wet?"  To which he said, "Yes!"  The teacher then asked, "Cooper, do you need to be changed?" Once again he said "Yes!"  The next question was, "Cooper, are you having fun today?"  He very loudly said, "YES!"  The final question, since we were on our role with yes, was, "Cooper, do you want to sit on the potty??" He very loudly said, "NOOOOO."   His teachers all laughed with him thinking they would get another "Yes!"

Pandas

In circle time, when learning about the seasons, Ms. Krystal asked the Pandas what is something they like to do during the season of fall. Patrick exclaimed, "I like to go apple picking and collect a lot of apples!"

Sunflowers