Our babies in Snugglies II are growing and learning so much every day.  Last month's theme was Science.  Science is all about exploring the world that we live in.   To go along with our Science theme, the Snugglies II babies were lucky to learn about SNOW!   We gathered it up from outside our window. We were able to feel how cold it was. We also got to watch it melt before our very eyes.  During circle time we even listened to stories about winter and snow. It was SNOW much fun!

Science with the Monkeys

During the month of December, the Monkeys spent time learning about germs and hygiene.  To help the students learn about good hygiene and keeping their hands clean, the Monkeys did a Science experiment using Ivory soap.  The children had observed the two bars of soap in normal form.  As a class, we talked about what we do with soap.  Afterwards, I proceed to microwave the bar of Ivory soap.  The soap expanded into a huge white fluffy cloud.  The students played with the expanded soap.  The children used their five senses and the fine motor skills to examine the soap.  They looked at the changes, felt it and smelled the fragrance of the soap.  As a result, the children had very clean hands and leaned that using soap can be fun.

  

Science with the Bears

In December, the Lions had so much learning and playing. December is always a busy month with all the holidays preparations, parties and the Holiday Show, but we always make time to learn! Our focus was math last month and we had a really great time reviewing our numbers. Miss Melissa made a Santa face and glued it to a box and cut out a mouth. Once all the glue dried, it was time to learn and have fun. We took some colorful circles and put numbers on them. Then we took some gingerbread men and made buttons. We gave each child a cookie or a gingerbread man and called out different numbers. If the child had the number called, they came up and fed it to Santa. The children were told if Santa didn't like the snack, (if the child came with the wrong number) he would spit it out. The Lions are too smart for that to happen, so Santa happily ate all the cookies he was fed. The children got such a kick out of feeding him they wanted to keep playing over and over. I love when we can make learning so much fun that they don't even realize when they are learning.

Last month, during the theme "Where We Live," the Pandas learned about shapes. The Pandas really explored this theme in the Math Center. In the Math Center, the Pandas observed and learned about different shapes, and also learned how some shapes can create other shapes. One project that the Pandas enjoyed was creating houses using different shapes, such as rectangles, squares and circles. The Pandas glued these shapes together on a piece of paper to create their own houses. Then they used markers to add the finishing details. Some children drew windows, staircases, attics and even Christmas lights on their houses.

Art with the Angels

In December, the Angels learned all about winter and snow.  There were so many winter art projects we made last month, but one of the Angel's favorite was making a snowflake.  In a tray we put a white snowflake.  We squeezed glue all over the snowflake and scooped glitter with our hands and sprinkled it onto the snowflake.  This project reinforces their fine motor skills and they also get to explore different textures with the glue and glitter. We look forward to creating more fun each and every day.

Art with the Sunflowers

Art is presented in your child's life every day! The Sunflowers are always doing fun projects with crayons, markers, paint and paintbrushes, and best of all, with their feet and hands!  Last month, the Sunflowers used their feet to make many different projects.  One project the children enjoyed was making reindeer.  The Sunflower teachers painted the children's feet with brown paint.  Then they decorated it.  When using your child's feet and hands for painting, it helps with their sensory skills.  The children are always laughing and giggling because painting their feet and hands tickles! The Sunflowers love painting with their feet and hands, but they especially love doing art projects every day!

Art with the Ducks

The month of December's unit topic was "Where We Live."  In our Art Center, students constructed houses with different shapes.  We read "Friendshape," by Amy Rosenthal. Then students were given a triangle, square, circle, and a rectangle. Next, students used the shapes to make a house.  Students had to identify the shapes before they added them to their picture.  Students were then given crayons and colored pencils to add details to their house.

As a class, we also read the book, "The Big Orange Splot," by Daniel Pinkwater.  This book was about a man named Mr. Plumbean and his unique house.  Students answered the focus question, "If you lived on Mr. Plumbean's street how would you paint your house?"  Students then drew what their dream house would look like.

The Ducks also had a lot of fun constructing a house out of Popsicle sticks, after reading, "Iggy Peck Architect," by Andrea Beaty.  Students observed blue prints and then used Popsicle sticks to make a house.  They glued Popsicle sticks onto paper and had to figure out how many Popsicle sticks they needed for their house.  The Ducks had so much fun with each and every activity. 

Last month the Bunnies had a lot to sing about.  They are starting to repeat more words and sing along to Mr. Kenny's Music Time songs.  Their favorite song is, "One Little Finger," where they listen and point to the different body parts being sung.  The Bunnies love to dance, so we try to incorporate as many songs as we can throughout the day.  They especially love "Baby Shark."  Their favorite part is when they have to run away.  They are so adorable as they run in place as fast as they can.  The Bunnies also love going to the Music and Movement Room, where they get to play with many different instruments.  They love to use the bells and shakers.  This specialty room also has a BEAM that projects games onto the floor.  The children use their feet to manipulate the projection.  One game, in particular, that the children enjoy is, "The Xylophone."  With this projection, the Bunnies get to run across the floor and make music as they step on a key.  They love to dance to their own music.  Music time is always a great time for the Bunnies.

The unit topic for the month of December was "Where We Live." For music, students were invited to pretend to be a bumblebee. Students were asked to buzz like a bee, walk like a bee, run like a bee and dance like a bee. As they buzzed and moved around the space, we ask the children to put their hands on their faces, and point out the soft, vibrating feeling they may feel throughout their faces. We then invite children to buzz into the "hive" as we gathered them together. The teachers explained to children that bees live in a hive. We practice buzzing loudly, softly and calmly, and breathing in deeply between buzzes to calm their bodies and relax. The children had great fun acting like bees and changing their voices.

For a second activity, students were asked to share music they enjoy at home. Each child got to play a song that they listen to at home, with the whole class. Students were encouraged to dance or just listen to one another. Students then shared what they liked about the music they heard.

    

Tech and Gym with the Kitties

The Kitties love going to the Computer Room!  We love getting to watch interactive books, where our favorite stories come to life!  We also enjoy playing interactive color and shape games.  While in the Computer room, we cannot forget getting to dance and sing along to our favorite songs as well!  "Here Comes the Fire Truck"  and "Baby Shark" are just two of their favorite songs that we enjoy sings and dancing to.

The Kitties also love being active in the gym!  We love learning how to use the pedals on the bikes, going up and down the stairs, riding the roller coaster, and just getting to run around with our friends.  We even started to rock climb!  The gym is our absolute favorite place to be!

Gym with the Chipmunks

The Chipmunks love to go to the gym every morning and practice their gross motor skills.  Their favorite activity is the rock wall.  We decided that we would make obstacle course races to get the children acquainted with all the different toys in the gym.  We started by climbing up the rock wall and coming back down.  We then crawled through the tunnel and when they came out they grabbed the ball and bounced it till they got to the roller coaster.  Once at the roller coaster, they got on and rolled down.  After they got off, they had to "drive" a car back to the beginning.  The children loved doing the obstacle course and practicing their gross motor skills.  As time goes on, we will make the obstacle course more challenging for the children to keep working all the muscles in their growing bodies!

Tech with the Turtles

We learned how to use different applications on our iPads and computers that allow us to sort out all the different animals and animal homes.  We also learned how to color shapes and pictures of homes using our iPads too.  It was so much fun!