October 29/30, 2014 Wednesday/Thursday

Happy Halloween!

Choice Time:  On Wednesday, Kristin Winkler helped out the class.  Thank you Kristin!

The children did a little fashion show with their costumes.  Very cute!  On Wednesday, because they had their costumes on, we stayed inside for choice time.  Their three inside choices were:  musical instruments played to Halloween music, mini-magnadoodles, and marble race tracks.  On Thursday, because of having to coordinate party day with the kindergarten readiness class,  there was no choice time and there was a longer center time.

Circle Time:  We read the book "Where Is My Mummy?"  It was a book on tape.

Center Time:  No painting at the easels but everything else was available.

Party Time:  On Wednesday, the children had frosted cookies and juice served on festive tablecloths and plates and napkins.  Thank you to Riley and Lyla for providing the snack on Wednesday! On Thursday, the children had pumpkin shaped rice krispie treats and clementines with pumpkin faces on them.  They also had juice boxes with monster faces on them.  Thank you to Griffin and Anna L for providing the snack on Thursday!

Afterwards, the children went to the party room where they could choose to play Ghost Bowling, Halloween Tattoos, Halloween scented Playdough, and Ghost Bean Bag.  Gretchen Smith planned all of the games and supplied all the materials.  Thank you Gretchen for all of your hard work!  And Thanks to all the parents and family members who came to the party and assisted the children - we really could not have done it without you! 

Upon leaving the party on Wednesday, the children all received a candy bar wrapped up as a ghost which was provided by Ella.  Thank you Ella for that!  On Thursday, the children all received treats from Anna B, Blake and Cohen.  Thank you to Anna B, Blake and Cohen for that!

                                                               Thursday's class photo.

                                                    Wednesday's class photo.

Have a wonderful Halloween celebration and stay safe!

October 27, 28 2014 Monday/Tuesday

Another beautiful fall day! 

Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  On both Monday and Tuesday, we went outside to play for choice time.  There was water in the water table on Monday because it was so warm.  On Tuesday, we had ribbon dancers out for the children to play with.   All of the other activities were available as usual on both days.

Circle Time: We read the story "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything."  It was a flannel board story that had 2 feet go "clomp, clomp," a pair of pants go "wiggle, wiggle," a shirt that went "shake, shake," a pair of gloves go "clap, clap," a hat that went "nod, nod," and a pumpkin head that went "Boo, Boo."  When all of these pieces were put together, they made something special.  Ask your children what that was.  (A scarecrow.)

Snack Time:  On Monday, Sophie brought crackers and cheese and juice for snack.  Thank you Sophie!  On Tuesday, Mason brought Cheeze-its and juice.  Thank you Mason!

Center Time:  Painting at the easel was available along with all of the other activities.

Please note that the following things went home in the backpack today:  newsletter/calendar, party reminder, tuition envelope, conference sheets, and they Hy Vee Fieldtrip permission form.   Your attention and response to these items in a timely manner would be greatly appreciated!

And finally, Halloween parties are scheduled to begin at 10:30 on both Wednesday and Thursday.  Hope to see you all soon!

October 22, 23, 2014 Wednesday/Thursday

A chilly start to the day!

Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  We went outside for Choice Time, despite it being cold.  Some of the children forgot a jacket so we loaned them one if that was the case. Several suggestions for ways to stay warm were discussed:  put your hands in your sleeves or your pockets, rub your hands together, blow on your hands, or if you are really cold, run around the playground.  Know that we will go outside for as long as the weather permits so dress your children warmly!  It's good to get outside in the fresh air!

Circle Time:  We read the story "Big Green Monster."  It is a story that was familiar to several of the children.  Each page adds a part to the monster until he is complete and then each page takes a part away until the monster is gone and the story is done.

Snack Time:  On Wednesday, Shresta brought Goldfish crackers and milk.  Thank you Shresta!
On Thursday, Landon brought muffins and milk for snack.  Thank you Landon!

Center Time:  Painting on the easel with brushes and pumpkin shaped cookie cutters was available along with all of the other usual center activities.

On Wednesday, Kristin Winkler came and worked as our parent helper.  Thank you Kristin!

Thank you to all who have returned their forms!  Your attention to our requests is so appreciated!

Remember next week, the Halloween parties are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Parents are invited to come and help us celebrate at 10:30. 

 Have a great weekend and see you all soon!

October 20 and 21, 2014 (Monday/Tuesday)

A beautiful fall day!

Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  We took advantage of the nice weather and went outside to play.  Scarves and wrist ribbons were available in addition to all of the usual activities in the playground. 

Story Time:  Two stories were read to the children:  "Five Little Pumpkins" and "We're Going On A Ghost Hunt."  Since they have learned the finger play entitled "Five Little Pumpkins,"  the children were encouraged to read along with the teacher on that story.

Snack Time:  On Monday, Riley brought juice and Cheeze-its for snack.  Thank you Riley!  On Tuesday, Kaiden brought granola bars and apple juice.  Thank you Kaiden!

Free Play Time:  The house keeping center had a few new things in it:  cash registers and shopping carts.  Pirate masks were available at the art table to decorate if so desired.

On Monday, Kristin Winkler helped out as a parent volunteer.  Thank you Kristin!

Picture proofs have all been handed out to the children.  Please make your decisions and return those as soon as possible.

Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help with the Halloween parties!  It is shaping up to be a fun time for the children!  We greatly appreciate your efforts!

Have a great day!




 

October 15/16, 2014 Wednesday and Thursday

No rain today!

 Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  We went outside for choice time.

Circle Time:  We looked at some real leaves and talked about the different parts of a leaf as well as the different colors of leaves.  We read the story, "Leaves, Leaves, Leaves. "  At the end of the story, the children were asked the following questions:  What colors are fall leaves?  What helps leaves fall from the trees?  And what fun things can you do with fall leaves?"

Snack Time:  On Wednesday, Payton brought cheese and Wheat Thins.  Thank you Payton!  On Thursday, Josie brought cheese sticks.  Thank you Josie!

Center Time:  All of the centers were open and painting fall leaves with bingo daubers was available at the art table.  The Discovery Table changed to have corn cobs and corn in it.

On Wednesday, we had a parent helper:  Gretchen Smith.  Thank you Gretchen!

Enjoy the day!

October 13/14, 2014 Monday and Tuesday

It looks like a wet start to the week.  Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  On both Monday and Tuesday we were able to go outside.  Some little Halloween things were hanging from the trees around the playground that the children discovered.

Circle Time:  We passed around an ear of field corn and the children were able to see and feel both a corn cob and a kernel of corn.  We read the book, "Time to Harvest."  Several questions were asked at the end of the book to check for listening. "When is it time to harvest? What does harvest mean? What does a farmer harvest?  What can children harvest?"

Snack Time:  On Monday, Oliver brought strawberry milk and Cheeze-it snack mix.  Thank you Oliver!  On Tuesday, Evan brought Chex cereal and milk. Thank you Evan! 

Free Play Time:  The children were given a chance to remove the kernels from a corn cob and paint with it if they wanted.  All of the other activities were also available.

On Monday, we had a parent helper:  Kristin Winkler.  Thank you Kristin!  On Tuesday, we had a parent helper:  Tara Smith -Prybil.  Thank you Tara!

Important papers went home in the backpacks today:  Class Lists and magazines. 

Remember the Lions Club will be here this week to the vision of those who have returned to completed form.  If you would like your child's vision checked then please send in the form.  If a child already has seen an eye doctor then the screening is not necessary.

October 9, 2014 Thursday only

Today was Birthday/Cooking day!  Here is what we did:

Choice Time:  Due to the early morning rain, choice time had the following 3 things available - table top easels, mini magna doodles, and a group game of garbage using bath poofs.

Circle Time:  We read the story Halloween Colors two times.  I read it through once and the children read it the second time with me.  It was a flap book about different colors of Halloween masks.  We also sang some fall/Halloween songs.

Snack Time:  We made popcorn with an old fashioned popcorn popper.  The children all got a chance to looks up close at the popper while it was spinning around.  We also had pretzels and juice.  We sang Happy Birthday to Sadie and all got birthday brownies.  It was all good!

Free Play Time:  Gluing a Halloween banner as a group was offered at the art table.  Boxes from the kindergarten readiness class were also available to play with along with all of the other activities.

Important notes went home in the backpacks.  Please read and return the needed paperwork as soon as possible.  Also, Sadie had birthday treats to pass out to everyone.  Thank you Sadie! 

Have a great weekend!  

October 7 and 8, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday

Thank you to everyone who came to Shady Knoll Pumpkin Patch today!  We saw all of the animals: goats, cows, geese, chickens, peacocks and of course bunnies.  We enjoyed the corn maze.  We also enjoyed seeing the pumpkin patch and hearing about how pumpkins are grown. 

On Tuesday, Griffin brought graham crackers and juice.  Thank you Griffin!  On Wednesday, Mia brought goldfish and apple juice for snack.  Thank you Mia!

Important Notice:  The sign-up sheet for Parent-Teacher conferences is now available.  If you would like to sign up for a specific time please call the  preschool to do this. 

Thanks!

Above is a group picture from Tuesday!  A great time was had by all!

Below is a group picture from Wednesday!  It was another beautiful day to visit the pumpkin patch!

October 6, 2014 Monday Only

 Today we had a parent helper, Lindsey  Raygoza, Lyla's mom.  Thank you Lindsey!

Here is what we did today:

Choice Time:  We went outside for choice time.  There were hoops to play with in addition to all of the other activities.

Circle Time:  We read the story "Halloween Colors."  It was a turn-the-flap book that featured different color masks on different children.  We learned the action song called "Five Little Pumpkins."  We also sang some other fall songs such as "I'm an Acorn," and "I Had A Little Pumpkin."

Snack Time:  Today was cooking day and birthday day.  We popped popcorn the old-fashioned way using a popcorn popper.  The children took turns standing on a chair to watch as it popped.  In addition to popcorn for a snack, pretzels and juice were served.  In addition to this, birthday brownies were given to all.  Happy Birthday to Lyla and Sophie!

Center Time:  A group gluing project was available at the art table in addition to all of the other activities. 

Important notes went home with the children today.  Please check the backpacks and return the signed notes as soon as possible. 

Thanks and Have a Great Day!

October 1 and 2, 2014 Wednesday/Thursday

October is here!

On Wednesday we had a parent helper:  Kristin Winkler.  Thank you Kristin!

Here is what we did today:

Choice Time:  We went outside on Wednesday.  Scarves and wrist ribbons were available along with all of the other activities.

Circle Time:  We passed around a pumpkin to see and touch.  We read another giant book entitled, "Growing Pumpkins."  We also learned a new song, "I Had A Little Pumpkin, His Name Was Tiny Tim."

Snack Time:  Max brought bananas, wheat crackers, and milk for snack on Wednesday.  Thank you Max!

Free Play Time:  Finger painting at the table was available with the colors red and yellow and gold.  Can you guess what color was made when they were all mixed together?

Thank you to all who have turned in their paperwork!  We really appreciate you support!