Jingle 'n Jump

Theme: Letter "J"

Choosing Time: Cinderella Castle, MarbleWorks, Puzzles

Movement & Music: Jumping Song, Jingle Bells, Jumping Jacks

Book: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
We had lovely discussions in both classes about the book. "What would you ask Santa for if you could have anything?" was the question I posed. "Why did the mom and dad not believe?" was the question posed by the children :)

AM Snack: Popcorn & Marshmallows

PM Snack: Cheese Crackers
Science: Does the size of a Jingle Bell change its sound?

Writing: Practiced letter "J"

Art: Jello Painting with Ice Cubes

As you can see, we had as much fun tasting as painting :)

AM Craft: Jingle Bell Bracelets

Thanksgiving Party!

Theme: I am thankful for each and every one of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Choosing Time: Little People Village

Writing: "I Am Thankful For..."

Games: Pin the Hat on the Turkey, What Doesn't Belong, What Comes Next, Thanksgiving Bingo

Feast: Thank you everyone for bringing some fun foods to share! Each child had fun passing out his/her "offering."

Music: I'm a Nut, A Turkey is a Funny Bird, Indian Boy

Movement: Row, Row, Row the Mayflower, "Turkey" Dance, Tom Turkey

Book: Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes

Reading: Practiced matching Fall Words/Pictures together

AM Counting Practice with Oreo Turkeys: Each child had to follow the instructions to count out how many of each item would be needed.

The First Thanksgiving

Theme: Turkey, Pilgrims, & Indians

Choosing Time: Peg Board, Blocks, Writing Practice, Puzzles, Puppets, Dr., Dishes/Food, & Turkey in the Straw Game
Music: 5 Little Indians, A Funny Turkey, Little Indian Boy

AM Snack: Juice Boxes & Fish Crackers

PM Snack: Popcorn, Apples, & Clementines

Art: Cornucopia

Mini Lesson: What Are You Thankful For?

Movement: Hokey-Pokey, Oh, What A Miracle, Row Row Row the Mayflower...

Reading: Match picture/word with word

Book: The First Thanksgiving by Jean Craighead George & Turk & Runt by Lisa Wheeler

Lesson: We discussed the First Thanksgiving: what it may have been like, who was there, & what they may have eaten. We learned what a Pilgrim is.

Truth About Turkey

Theme: Turkeys

Choosing Time: Cars, Train, Duplos, Dolls, Ponies, Photo Memory Game

AM Art: Hand-Print Flower Turkeys
PM Art: Turkey Headbands: We practiced coloring carefully and doing our best work.
AM Snack: Apples & Goldfish Crackers

PM Snack: Apples & Pretzels

Music: Hello, Mr. Turkey, ABC, 5 Little Frogs, Bubble Gum, Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam, I'm A Nut

Movement: "Turkey" Dance

Games:

• Turkey in the Straw: The "Straws" were placed over a "Pond". The "Turkey" sat on top of the "Straw." Each child chose a straw one at a time. The child whose straw caused the turkey to fall then had to stand up and gobble.
• Duck, Duck, "Turkey": The Turkey had to Gobble while chasing.

Science/Lesson: Some Turkey Facts

• Male Turkeys have the BIG Beautiful feathers. We looked at many pictures of turkeys. We could all tell the difference between the male and female.
  
• Turkeys make lots of different sounds: Purr, Cluck, Gobble, Putt, Yelp, Cutt, Kee-Kee. We listened to examples of all of them. It was cute to hear the kiddos compare what they heard to other animal noises. For example, as we were listening to the yelp, Nathan E. said, "That is a dog in trouble!"
  
• Turkeys have waddles
• Turkeys are the most popular bird in the US. Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be our National bird.
• Turkeys are part of a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner.
  

Indians & Ice Cream!

Theme: Letter "I"

Choosing Time: Duplos, Magnets, Dinosaurs, Dolls, Tinker-Toys, Face Paint

Craft: Indian Necklaces


Poem: Indian Boy
I am a little Indian boy
I hunt with arrow and bow
When I see a turkey in the trees,
Swoosh! My arrow will go!

AM Science: We made ice cream in a bag. We had a great time mixing the ingredients and then playing some games to help the ice cream solidify! We love ice cream!
AM Snack: Thank you Leo for the Popcorn, grapes, & cheese sticks!

PM Cooking: We made mini-corn muffins for our snack today. We learned how corn is harvested and then ground to make cornmeal.
Movement: See Me Run & I've Got A Wiggle

Book: The Best Thanksgiving Ever! by Teddy Slater

Art: Paint Letter "I" & other things with Berry Juice