Pre-K Classroom: February 2013

Friday, February 15, 2013

January 2013

One of January's Themes was Arctic Animals. We learned all about animals that live in the Arctic region. I incorporated a "following instructions" activity with a listening comprehension activity and I really liked the results.

We learned about Polar Bears,

Walruses,

Beluga whales,

Snowy Owls,

and the Arctic Fox.

Plus we learned some new watercolor techniques! The results are little works of art suitable for framing.

Forgiven?

Almost 10 years ago my husband, son and I moved into the house we live in now. The weather was wet and miserable, and I was tired of the move and eager to get into my new home. We sold our house in Aloha almost overnight and moved with the help of my parents. But our new home was not immediately available to move into, so my parents graciously invited us to stay with them for 10-or-so days until the 'big move'. This was an amazing stroke of luck. My parents' home was very close to our new home as well as my son's new school.
On the day of the 'big move' my husband and I rented a U-Haul. This alone is not interesting. We had done this before - - when we moved out of the Aloha house and put everything in storage. What is interesting is that it was the first time we chose to purchase the insurance on the U-Haul. I have no idea why we did that. Do you believe in Guardian Angels?
We had friends and family helping move boxes and furniture into the house, getting things from the storage unit, and pushing an ancient piano from my parent's garage down the road and into the front door of my new home. It was quite a sight! The last trip we made from the storage unit to the house told me how tired and ready to settle in we were.
My husband, driving the U-Haul, jockeying for just the right angle, drove into a low-hanging limb of the first of three vintage Birch trees on our drive strip. It ripped off the limb with a horrifying CRACK and gouged the U-Haul in a way that screamed hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars worth of damage. My brother trimmed the jagged branch properly so as not to lose the tree to disease, and my husband returned the U-Haul-no questions asked.
Through the years I took notice of the scar on the tree where the branch used to be. I know it's not my imagination that the scar metamorphosed into a heart-shape. Is it possible this elderly giant has forgiven us? I would sure like to think so! We truly love our trees.

BOOK REVIEWS starting on 4/19/11

The assignment was to bring in and discuss our favorite books. Here are the hot picks for ages 3-6.

James-
"Stuart Little- Spooky Surprise "
This thriller would be great for a sleepover or an around-the-campfire scary story. James enjoys it at bedtime every night.
Kelsey-
"Mermaid Sister" by Mary Ann Fraser
Kelsey likes this story about a little girl with a bothersome brother. One day she wished for a sister and got a mermaid! If you like mermaids, this book is for you.
Ralph-
"Look-And-Find Marvel Heroes"
Ralph says he likes to use this book to unwind with before going to bed. It's a lot like 'Where's Waldo', but with Super Heroes instead.
Gracie-
"Barbie in 'A Mermaid Tale' , a magical adventure story based on the movie"
Beautiful accessories and colorful fins, a story about a nice mermaid and her mean sister. Gracie's favorite part was the surfing page.

More Book Reviews from 4/21/11

Tyler-
"The Berenstain Bears 'No Girls Allowed' " by Stan & Jan Berenstain
A war-of-the-genders story as old as time. Boys build fort-no girls allowed. Girls build tree house, and invite the boys over for snacks, causing boys to rethink their policy. Tyler liked how the smell of food enticed the boys.
Grady-
"Moostache" by Margie Patatini, illustrated by Henry Cole
What silly fixes can you get into with outrageously long mustache hair? Sometimes the most impossible situations turn out for the better. Grady liked when the moose got all tangled up in his own mustache.
Stella-
"Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy" by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Gone are the days when we have to make our little sister pretend to be a puppy. Fancy Nancy now has a beautiful doggie of her own! Stella's favorite part was when Nancy got to walk Jewel on a sidewalk to the ice cream shop.
Sarah-
"Barbie- - A Dress-up Day" read-it-yourself-book
Sarah wrote her book report out, so in her own words-
'Barbie, Stacie, and Kelly play dress up while it rains outside.'
The best part is Stacie's purple scarf and red dress. And that Sarah can sit down and read this book anytime she wants-without help.

Reviews from 4/26/11...

Isla-
"The Midnight Unicorn" by Neil Reed
A story about a little girl who loves unicorns (much like Isla). One day, at the park she visits regularly, the unicorn statue comes alive and takes her and her dog on a magical journey. Isla's favorite part was the page with all of the unicorns bounding in the waves of the ocean. It is a beautifully illustrated book.
Miles-
Walt Disney's "Cinderella"
Miles had a lot to say about this classic story. The best parts, he says, are mostly the magic parts, like when the Fairy Godmother changes the pumpkin to a carriage and the mice into footmen. Also, he loved when all the birds and animals made Cinderella's gown. Don't we all wish he had a Fairy Godmother...
George-
"The I-Can-Read 'How To Train Your Dragon' "
One of two newly acquired books in a series, George plans to spend a lot of time with each of these new books honing his reading skills. He looks forward to the challenge, and is especially jazzed about the dragon called Night Fury.
Mere-
"Thump, Quack, Moo - A Whacky Adventure" By Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
It's time for Farmer Brown to make his corn maze and he needs help. He enlists the farm animals to start building and they all go along with it-except Duck- who has other plans. Mere's favorite part is the surprise ending. What a clever duck.

Book Reviews 4/28/11

Jack-
"Play-A-Sound Spiderman Snapshots"
This book has a built-in 'camera' that makes sounds and a digital screen that shows images. It encourages the reader to become involved with Peter Parker's quest to photograph Spiderman, and the camera plays back the adventure in the end. Jack really likes the real-life sounding camera.
Ella-
"Dora's Christmas Adventure" with foil flaps
This Christmas tree-shaped board book takes the reader along with Dora on an adventure to help Santa make and deliver presents. Ella really enjoys lifting the flaps on each page. Ella knows that 'Feliz Navidad' means 'Merry Christmas' from reading this book.

For Our Feathered Friends- Some Spring Ideas

Help young minds explore the wonders of nature with birds and birding activities. Attract birds in your backyard with these fun ideas. 1. The next time you brush your dog or cat's coat, save the hair and set it out in early Spring when the birds begin building their nests. As long as the pet fur has not been treated with chemicals (such as flea medicine)it will be safe for our bird friends.You can also use hair from your hairbrush, 4 inch pieces of string or yarn, twine, feathers, even cotton balls that have been pulled apart. 2. Fruit attracts birds like orioles and tanagers. The orioles pass through the French Prairie around May and June. They are attracted to the color orange (for some reason!) as well as the fruit. Try setting out small pieces of apple or string slices of oranges on a wire and hang in a branch near other bird feeders. Another interesting food to try is jam or jelly on a small dish. You may be surprised at who stops by for a treat. 3. If you don't have conventional bird feeders in your yard, try mixing peanut butter with bird seed and spread it on a half a bagel. Hang it by a string on a tree branch and see how quickly the birds find it! You can also string cheerios or a similar breakfast cereal in a big loop (like that of a necklace) using yarn, string, or a pipe-cleaner. Hang near a window and watch the acrobatics begin! 4. To attract hummingbirds to your yard in the summer, consider planting flowers that they like. Fuchsias, petunias, red begonias, monkey flowers, nasturtiums, nicotiana and honeysuckle to name a few. Most of these flowers also attract butterflies, so even if you don't get hummingbirds, you may still get a variety of beautiful insects stopping by for a visit this summer. 5. I recently read an article where a lady was eventually able to feed birds with her bare hands. This takes a long time to accomplish and a lot of patience. One technique is to place a wide-brimmed hat and gardening gloves on the ground near a feeder. Fill the brim of the hat and palms of the gloves with birdseed for at least two weeks. At some point you may transition into wearing the hat and gloves, staying very still, and feeding the birds from your hands! Birdwatching is an activity the whole family can enjoy!