Sneaky Like a Fox

Theme:  Letter "X"
X is sneaky like a fox.  It usually comes in the middle or at the end of a word.  Some of the X words we focused on include:  ox, box, six, ax, & x-ray. We learned that sometimes people write OXOX to send hugs and kisses.  We had fun making the X sound.  We listened to some words and then determined where the X sound was (the beginning, middle, or end)

Choosing Time:  Letter "X" Memory, Zoob, Build Boxes, Xerox Copy Paper Drawings, ...

Snacks:

• Popcorn, Cuties, Red Pepper Slices
• Cheeze-Its
• Carrot Slices, Gold Coins, & Pretzels
• Pretzels & Marshmallow Twists
• Bananna Bread, Grapes, & Cuties
• Orange Slices & Goldfish
• Fruit Snacks

Writing:  We practiced our names a lot.  We also practiced writing OXOX to send many hugs and kisses to our mothers :)

Music & Movement:

• X Marks the Spot
• Here Comes the Ox Cart 
• Six Little Ducks
• X Jacks 
• Mother, I Love You
• Six Big Donuts In the Bakery Shop
• Skidamarinkydinkydink
• Oh, A Hunting We Will Go

Art: 

• Mother's Day Heart Flowers & Card--By the way, the flower seeds may be planted.  Place them in a pot or in the ground in a partial sun place.  They will either be red or yellow.
• Xerox Paper Drawings
• "X-ray" Crayon Painting

Books:
 

Wow!

Theme:  Letter W
We met Wilma Whale.  We noticed that "W" looks like upside down "M", and that "MOM" upside down is "WOW".  We also realized that "W" looks like two "V's" put together.  We had fun signing "W" and think it's funny that it looks like the #3. 

Choosing Time:  Water Animals, Wheels, Letter W Memory, ...

Music & Movement:

• Wheels on the Bus
• Down by the Bay
• Wiggle, Wiggle
• Wiggle in my Toe
• Wiggle My Torso
• Little Red Wagon

Reading:  We spent some time reading some common endings such as -on, -in, -ig, -ow, and -at.  We then put a "W" or "Wh" in front of the endings and read the words. We really had fun doing this!  And, we felt so proud of ourselves.

Art:  Watercolors & Watercolored Wild Things

Snacks:

• Watermelon
• Cupcakes
• Walnuts & Fruit Snacks
• Goldfish
• Fruit Snacks

Birthdays:  Happy Birthday to Joshua and Raymond!  Thank you for sharing treats with us :)

Books:

We enjoyed acting out the parts of the Wild Things while I read the story

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 
&

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:

 

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