"A" is for Apples

Theme:  "A" is for Apples

Recess:  We are enjoying the nice weather outside. Don't you wish we could store up some rays the way squirrels store up nuts?

Lesson:  "Apple Annie" came to visit.  We practiced saying the "A" sound.  We played a game with apples in an apple bucket.  As we sang a song we passed the bucket.  When the song was over, whoever held the bucket took out an apple and told us what letter was on the apple.

Choosing Time:  Apple Counting Games, Sew Cards, Duplos, Alligators...

 
 
 
Snacks:

• Apple Juice & Apple Jacks
• Cheese, Crackers, & Grapes
• Rice Krispy Treats
• A to Z Bread (Applesauce Zucchini), watermelon, cheese cubes
• Wheat Thins, Cheese Sticks, Fruit Snacks
• Applesauce Banana Bread

Music & Movement:

• ABC's
• Apple Tree
• Criss Cross Applesauce
• Friendship Walk
• Make A's with our bodies
• Make circles with our Ankles & Arms
• Ants Go Marching
• Birthday Dance

Cooking:  Thank you to all who brought an apple to school!  We had a wonderful experience peeling/coring our apples to make applesauce.  One kiddo said, "This is Ridiculous!"  And, everyone loved eating the super long peelings.

Science:  We put some apple seeds in a plastic bag and are watching them to see if something will happen.  We also had fun learning about the life cycle of an apple.  Most of the children were in awe that apples start out being flowers.  We cut an apple open to see the star/flower shape.  Do apples sink or float?  We had fun guessing and then testing to learn the answer.

Math:  We did a fun story that counted to 5 and then back to 0.  We also graphed our favorite apples. And, we played a dice game to see how many "apples" we could put on our "trees".

Magnet Board Story:  The Mouse & the Apple

Writing:  "A/a"


 
 

Reading:  a, and, at, an, as

Books:

• Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss
• The A Book by Stan & Jan Berenstein

Game:  How many "apples" can you keep up on top?

 
 
 
 



Art:

• Apple Scented Play-doh Apples
• Apple Trees

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Happy Birthday Natalia!
 

Yes, I Can!

Theme: Yes, You Can!

Choosing Time: Building with Cans, Can Rubbings, Can Robots,....

 
 

Lesson:
Sitting in a circle, we took turn choosing one item out of a can.  Each item represented something we CAN do at preschool.  Some of the items were:  mouth (we CAN speak softly & kindly), paintbrush (we CAN paint), soap (we CAN wash our hands), maraca (we CAN sing songs & do movement), a hand (we CAN keep our hands to ourselves and help each other), ....I hope it was a positive way to introduce some rules at school :)

Snacks:

• Popcorn with Mini-Marshmallows
• Cookies
• Vanilla Wafers
• Scrabble Cheez-Its & Fruit Leather
• Graham Crackers & Strawberries

Happy Birthday!  I learned what a "Golden" birthday is!, Thank you Asher!

Mini-Lesson:  We were able to play a game to learn our class rules.

Recess:

 
 
Music & Movement:

• Monkeys Sitting in a Tree
• ABC's
• If You're Happy & You Know it
• Hokey-Pokey
• Snack Song
• Friendship Walk
• Oh, What A Miracle

Name Game:  Hidden in the classroom were stars with the kiddos names on them.  They all were able to search for their names and then place them on our bulletin board.  Truly they are "out of this world!"

Books:

• David Goes to School by David Shannon
• How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?  by Jane Yolen

Art: Painted with Cans  (also had fun experiencing the concept--big, bigger, biggest.)

 

 

 











Writing:  The AM class were able to "dot paint" their names.



Science:  We found a grasshopper outside and decided to capture it.  After watching it for awhile, we decided to put it in a plastic bag to see if it would make the bag jump up.  It did!  And, we had so much fun watching it!  We also counted its legs, eyes, & antennae.  We noticed how its back legs are super long and bent to help make him a super hopper.

 



Hurray! It's almost time for PRESCHOOL to begin!

Hurray!  It's almost time for PRESCHOOL to begin! 

Summer seems to have flown by!  I hope all of you have had some fun adventures together and have some wonderful stories to share with me! I'm excited to begin a new adventure with each of you! For our FIRST day of Class I would LOVE to have your child bring a picture of him/her doing something you did this summer.  (For example, I went to a ranch.  I may bring a picture of the horses or one of me on a horse or a picture of any horse.)  I think it will be a wonderful way to get to know one another better and find similarities :)

Preschool begins on TUESDAY, September 4th and WEDNESDAY, September 5th. Here are some tips to help make preschool fun & enjoyable for all!

1. Please have your kiddos go to the bathroom RIGHT before they come to school (even if they used the toilet 15 minutes earlier)  :)
2. Have them eat before they come.  Snack is only a SNACK.
3. I will not be combining the snack schedule with birthday treats. If it is your child's birthday and you'd like to bring something to share, we would love it. (So, in other words, if it is your child's b-day and someone else has snack that day, it's ok, you may still bring a treat to share and we'll still have snack)
4. Please keep toys at home.
5. I have a trampoline. If you DO NOT want your child to jump on it please let me know.
6. If I have not received your info. or if you have new information (such as a new phone number) please make sure you pick up the forms and get them filled out. I NEED your contact info ASAP.
7. Some children and mommies have a hard time separating. A good book to read together is, The Kissing Hand.  It is best to walk your child into school the first day, but not into the classroom.  If you need to stay, please stay outside of the classroom itself as the other kiddos tend to become nervous if there are other parents present.  If the mommies are brave and positive, chances are your children will not be hesitant nor fearful :)
8. Please send a small labeled backpack or bag with your child to school.  AND, please send your child to school with appropriate clothing & Shoes.
9. DON'T forget your PICTURE!
10. And, bring a smile and be ready for lots of fun!