A Snowy Day!

The cold weather in January brought a discussion of snow!! In Room 2 we had fun reading the book The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats. This beloved Caldecott Award winning book is about a little boy Peter who goes out and has adventures in the snow. Our dramatic play was transformed into a snowy day scene so our children could reenact it. They even had snowball fights!

They also had fun making Snowmen in different forms: art, sensory, and food.

We had so many different sensory/science activities; we made snow men with shaving cream and baking soda on trays. In the sensory bin we had fake insta-Snow.

They painted snowmen and snow girls (some children put long hair on their snow person) with white paint as well as puffy paint. We used paper collage and “bleach snow” and made snowmen as big as our name!

Art studio goes outside to paint…

Day two: Room 3 children painting outside with paint balls. It’s been fun seeing them fly across the air and watching the different marks they make against the light blue back drop.

Painting with Paintballs!

Room 3 had an awesome time exploring unconventional ways of painting with paintballs. Using their gross-motor skills, they used the paintballs to create a snow-like backdrop. (In the picture provided, Jay is shown participating in the activity.)

Food For Thought – Food Dyes

Over the past few years, I have heard more and more parents talking about the negative behavioral effects that certain foods such as gluten, casein (the protein in milk), soy, and eggs have on their children. One of the less known elements that may be attributed to negative behavior are artificial food dyes. In addition to having strong links to cancer and other adverse health effects, behavioral associations are also common and may include hyperactivity, tantrums, crying, moodiness, irritability, and more. I have personally met several parents who would claim this as ‘truth’ for their own children. The Center For Science in the Public Interest published the article Seeing Red today. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Agree or disagree, it is good to be in the know.

Loving Our Yard and Recyclable Fun

The Outdoor Classroom has been a blast for Room 3. Our kids love being outside and engaging in all the creative learning opportunities that Team 6 provides. One of the areas drawing our focus is the Constructive Recyclabels area. We are having an awesome time stacking and using our imaginations to build everything from towers to fire trucks. Bruce and Samuel are so proud of their creative fire truck that we thought we’d share it!

“Hurry, hurry to the fire. Hurry, hurry drive the fire truck,” they both sang.

Instant Fun with Insta Snow – Rm 3

As it is winter, we have been discussing cold weather in Room 3 and all that comes with it. For us here in Southern California, that mostly translates to crisp days and maybe some rainy ones. During the holidays, however, many of our friends enjoyed going to the snow as well. While it’s hard to come by the real stuff here in Pasadena, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with a close facsimile. Thus, Insta Snow! This super hydro absorbent material has a unique look/texture, plus is very soft and cool to the touch. Our friends have been having a fantastic time scooping, squeezing and playing with our Insta Snow and polar people/animals. If you happen to be in our room, you should check out all the fun and learning that is taking place at our science table.

Collaging with Animals

Room 1 and 2 had fun using their imagination to create their very own animal using clippings of animals to help them compose their collage. They then used oil sticks to draw in their details.

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts…

“Cold Hands, Warm Hearts” has been our theme for January in room 5. We are learning about the Golden Rule and exploring the components of winter! While our young two-year-olds are developing their social-emotional skills like empathy and purpose, we are supporting them with the words of God. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV)

We are also learning new vocabulary, cause and effect, and creating beautiful winter art. Cold weather and wintery themes allow for a great opportunity to integrate all of these concepts like sharing, showing love, and togetherness.

We read “The Mitten” and talked about making room for others, and sharing even when we may not think there is enough to go around. God will provide for us, all we have to do is share his love.

So stay warm and share the love, friends!

Wondrous Winter Wonderland

Our littles in Room 4 have been discovering all things winter (well, some things…) complete with actual snow (well, manufactured…). Hey,we’re Californians! At least we can see snow on our mountains….

SNOW!!

Clouds

Legos

Introducing our newest Room 4 teaching team member…Ms Alex! We love her!!

Let’s Play Hockey…Preschool Style!

He shoots, he scores! The students love our new teacher-created, preschool-style hockey sticks! Is there anything that says ‘winter sports’ better than hockey? 😉