Friday, April 26, 2013

Visits & Volcanoes

Theme:  Letter "V"
Vegetables, Vines, Van, Vet, Vacuum, Violet, Vulture, Violin, Vase, Very...

Choosing Time:  Dinosaurs, Letter "V" Memory, Balloons, Magnets,...

Game:  Eat Your Vegetables!  I had a box of vegetable pictures.  I threw a pea to one child.  He would throw it back saying, "I love my vegetables!  In my garden I'll plant..."  The child then chose one vegetable out of the box.  The next child would add his vegetable after repeating what the first child had said....It was a great game for memory and sequencing.  It was also fun to learn about some unique vegetables such as artichokes, Swiss chard, turnips, and beets.

Snacks:
  • Veggie Sticks, Ice Cream, & Granola Bars
  • Cheese Sticks
  • Crackers & Cheese
  • Grapes (that grow on a Vine)
  • Grapes, Cookies, & Cheese
Science:
  • Volcanoes:  We learned a little bit about volcanoes and how living things have been preserved in lava.  We were able to see how baking soda and vinegar produce bubbles that causes the liquid to rise and flow.  Although our volcano was harmless and not hot, the reaction is similar to what happens in a real volcano.
  • Vultures:  Vultures are Nature's Garbage Collectors.  We watched a brief video to learn a bit about them.  
Birthday:  Happy Birthday Guy!  Thanks for bringing in some yummy treats to share with us!

Music & Movement:
  • I am learning Letter "V"
  • Make "V" with body
  • "V" Jacks
  • Tiny Turtle
  • Birthday Dance
Art: 
Carrot "V" growing in garden
Writing:  We practiced "V" and made a volcano out of a "V" which several children made a connection between "M" & "V"  :)

Special Visits:
  • BYU Museum of Paleontology--We loved seeing the dinosaur bones and touching fossils.  We also saw some beautiful crystals that are formed inside of a volcano.
  • Day's Market--We had a lovely tour of the store.  We shivered inside the enormous fridge and freezer.  We stood remarkably still as we watched the box crusher.  We politely thanked them when they gave us each a delicious cookie :)
Cute Saying:  While we were playing our Vegetable Game, one child said, "I really love tomatillos, they're my favorite vegetables!"  I was impressed that a 3 yr. old knows what they are and likes them.



Who is Under the Umbrella?

Theme:  Letter U

Choosing Time:  Elevator Up Game, Letter "U" Matching Game

Art:
  • "U" and Upside Down
  • Un-Birthday Balloon Painting
  • What does your Universe look like?

Games:  
  • Who is Hiding Under the Umbrella?
  • Pin the Horn on the Unicorn
  • What letter is this?  What sound does it make?  (Then rewarded with a Universe rubber band)
  • Hit the Balloon with your Birthday Blower Relay

Reading:  We focused on the endings -ug, -un, and -ut.  We practiced these endings on their own and then put consonants in front of the endings to make words.  Some kiddos were really good at this!

Snacks:
  • Ugly Brownie Bites Under Umbrellas
  • Under the Sea fish crackers & "Un-Popped" that I popped Popcorn
Music & Movement:
  • "I am Learning Letter "U"
  • A Very Merry Un-Birthday
  • Make "U" with our bodies
Funny Moments:
  • I asked a child if she wanted "more on" her paper (referring to paint).  Another child reprimanded me saying, "Miss Jodi, You said 'moron!'" 

Books:
The Umbrella 
&


Underpants Thunderpants (Parragon Read-Along) By: Peter Bently,Deborah Melmon

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Turtles, Trucks, Trains, & Teddy

Theme:  Letter "T"
I brought in a Tool Box.  We took turns choosing a "T" item from it.  Some of the items had corresponding activities.  We practiced the "T" sound and how to write it. When "T" is placed with "H" it makes a special sound.

Special Guest:
My son, Noah, visited each class to demonstrate a Trumpet.  We had fun guessing the tunes he played.  We learned about the different parts of a trumpet.

Choosing Time:  Trains, Tinker Toys, Trucks, Floor Puzzles...

Music & Movement:
  • "T" Jacks
  • Ten Exercises
  • Tick Tock
  • Tiny Turtle
  • Drivin' In My Truck
  • Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Fire Truck
Books:
Silly Sally
 

Science:
We looked at a book about animals with amazing Tongues & Teeth

Snack:
  • Tasty Tortilla Triangle Crisps
  • Tangerines & Teddy Grahams
  • Taffy, Tree Top Apple Juice, & Fish Crackers
  • Pretzels, Fruit Snacks, & Graham Crackers
  • Popcorn, Carrots, & Watermelon
  • Pretzels & Fruit Snacks
  • Crackers, Cheese, & Fruit Snacks
 Art:
  • Triangle Turtle Shells (Thank you to Sarah for all the fabric!!!!)
  • "Two-lips"
  • Turtle, Teddy, or Train Tracings
Reading:  the, this, to, that, so, & she