Sensory Table: Monday we're going to run a gutter from the sink to the table so we can have running water at the table. Wednesday we'll just have regular water in the table, maybe with some cranberries.
Gooey: Pumpkin pie play dough.
Easel: Paint
Art/Manipulatives: Monday we'll move our art table to another location, wrap it in paper, and set out markers and crayons. In the large area that remains we're going to bring in heavy, large wooden blocks from the Big Room and some lighter cardboard blocks as well. On Wednesday we'll have the crayons and markers in at the art table in the usual location.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Lesson Plan Review for the Week of Nov. 12
The baking activity Monday went pretty well and the kids loved the muffin recipe. After that we set out cornstarch and water (a non-Newtonian fluid, FYI) on trays, but only my co-teacher and I seemed to play with it. I think since toddlers haven't formed their own opinions about how solids and liquids are different they just aren't impressed. So, we did liquid water with droppers color on large and small coffee filters. Most of them needed to have the droppers filled for them even though the color trays were within reach because they haven't figured out the whole dropper thing yet. But boy, can they squirt the color out!
The leaves in the table were used occasionally. Wednesday we had fabulous weather, so we propped open the door so the kids could wander as they liked. We even went to the bigger play yard next door. The breeze was strong on Wednesday, so we had pinwheels and fabric streamers out. On Monday we set out markers and crayons on an outdoor table, and they drew more than I've ever seen them draw. We also did snack outside on Wednesday, and for the first time we didn't have to do much reminding to sit while eating.
The teachers we share the room with added record players on the floor in a corner for Wednesday. The kids loved it. In case you've never seen this, you take an old record player, poke a hole in the middle of a paper plate, and let the kids draw on the plate with marker while it spins. You have to be sure there's no needle in the arm and that the arm is securely taped down. We had one little girl that was more interested in stacking and unstacking the supply of paper plates, so while we usually keep those out of reach we just left them with the markers next to the record players.
The leaves in the table were used occasionally. Wednesday we had fabulous weather, so we propped open the door so the kids could wander as they liked. We even went to the bigger play yard next door. The breeze was strong on Wednesday, so we had pinwheels and fabric streamers out. On Monday we set out markers and crayons on an outdoor table, and they drew more than I've ever seen them draw. We also did snack outside on Wednesday, and for the first time we didn't have to do much reminding to sit while eating.
The teachers we share the room with added record players on the floor in a corner for Wednesday. The kids loved it. In case you've never seen this, you take an old record player, poke a hole in the middle of a paper plate, and let the kids draw on the plate with marker while it spins. You have to be sure there's no needle in the arm and that the arm is securely taped down. We had one little girl that was more interested in stacking and unstacking the supply of paper plates, so while we usually keep those out of reach we just left them with the markers next to the record players.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
NAEYC
Who else went to the NAEYC conference in Chicago last week? I learned so much. Interestingly, one message I heard repeatedly is how we need to have books about loss in our rooms before a child experiences loss. This loss can be death of a pet or family member or just a big change in a child's life. We usually think of preschools as happy places where children play, but often we are the place where kids can work out whatever's grieving them. I'm not really sure what books I'll have in the classroom on this, and it bears some thinking.
Anyway, if I get the time I'll post short notes on the sessions I went to and what they were about.
p.s. I noticed someone searched on what NAEYC is. It's the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Here's the link: NAEYC.org.
Anyway, if I get the time I'll post short notes on the sessions I went to and what they were about.
p.s. I noticed someone searched on what NAEYC is. It's the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Here's the link: NAEYC.org.
Lesson Plan for the Week of Nov. 12
Sensory Table: Leaves with various objects for manipulating them.
Gooey: Pumpkin pie play dough.
Easel: Paint
Art/Manipulatives: Monday our parent helper is bringing a muffin recipe for the class to make. After that is finished and on Wednesday we will do corn starch and water on trays.
We'll be going to the Big Room this week and doing as much outside time as we can in between rain drops since the temperature will be nice.
Gooey: Pumpkin pie play dough.
Easel: Paint
Art/Manipulatives: Monday our parent helper is bringing a muffin recipe for the class to make. After that is finished and on Wednesday we will do corn starch and water on trays.
We'll be going to the Big Room this week and doing as much outside time as we can in between rain drops since the temperature will be nice.
Lesson Plan Review for Week of Nov. 5
This week was fun, but not quite what we expected. On Monday the kids used the sensory table to wash the shaving cream off their hands. After the table was full of shaving-creamed water no one wanted to play with it. Our aquaphiles ended up back at the sink. On Wednesday we added droppers with liquid watercolor to the shaving cream table, which was a huge hit. We put a bucket of water near that table for cleanup and the sensory table stayed a bit cleaner so we could clean dishes, toys, and babies. At some point several children noticed all the hand washing that was going on and started to put shaving cream in their hands and then ask to wash their hands at the sink repeatedly. All in all, the shaving cream was enjoyed by most of the children.
The chalk was a bit boring. We had a few takers, but I think it's time to get back to messy stuff at the easel.
We spent some time in our Big Room (large motor) this week, which the kids are slowly getting used to. Our assigned time is right at the beginning of class, which makes it more challenging for parents dropping off all the stuff at the room and then coming to the Big Room after hand washing. Once it becomes routine I think it will be easier.
The kids seem to be a little bored with our small outdoor play area. I think next week we should either take them to one of the larger areas or create some activities outside rather than assuming they'll be able to figure out what to do with themselves. I don't recall another class having this same boredom outside difficulty, but each class is different and kids get less and less outside time at home each year, so they may just not know what to do with it. We have lots of outside toys, climbers, sand toys, riding toys, slides, and building toys to keep them busy.
The chalk was a bit boring. We had a few takers, but I think it's time to get back to messy stuff at the easel.
We spent some time in our Big Room (large motor) this week, which the kids are slowly getting used to. Our assigned time is right at the beginning of class, which makes it more challenging for parents dropping off all the stuff at the room and then coming to the Big Room after hand washing. Once it becomes routine I think it will be easier.
The kids seem to be a little bored with our small outdoor play area. I think next week we should either take them to one of the larger areas or create some activities outside rather than assuming they'll be able to figure out what to do with themselves. I don't recall another class having this same boredom outside difficulty, but each class is different and kids get less and less outside time at home each year, so they may just not know what to do with it. We have lots of outside toys, climbers, sand toys, riding toys, slides, and building toys to keep them busy.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Soapy Water
Soapy water is a great thing for the sensory table (aka the sand and water table), especially if the dishes in your play kitchen are looking a little scary. Load the table up with warm water, a swirl of dish soap, and all the dish cleaning items you can find. Make sure your center's kitchen won't miss them if you don't have some set aside just for play. Keep plenty of towels on hand, preferably a separate one for each child given the MRSA scare that's in the media right now. Be prepared to allow children to bring other things from around the room to clean. If possible, remove toys that can't be dunked so kids can feel useful in helping to keep their room clean. Let them use towels to dry off clean things if the table gets too full of stuff, showing them that when you remove some toys they can clean others. The dolls in our room generally get a bath, so make sure they are the kind that can get submerged.
Speaking of MRSA, current health guidelines dictate that children with open cuts on their hands are not to share water tables or other substances. Keep a supply of completely sealing bandages on hand, such as the tattoo-type, so you don't have to tell a child they can't play. If a child appears to have MRSA (a boil-type wound with pus), send him/her home and instruct the parents to take the child to their doctor as soon as they can for treatment.
Speaking of MRSA, current health guidelines dictate that children with open cuts on their hands are not to share water tables or other substances. Keep a supply of completely sealing bandages on hand, such as the tattoo-type, so you don't have to tell a child they can't play. If a child appears to have MRSA (a boil-type wound with pus), send him/her home and instruct the parents to take the child to their doctor as soon as they can for treatment.
Lesson Plan for the Week of Nov. 5
Sensory Table: Soapy water to wash toys or dishes in. We have a couple of aquaphiles in the class and it would be nice to get them away from the sink.
Gooey: Pumpkin pie play dough with an assortment of dough toys
Easel: Chalk
Art/Manipulatives: Shaving cream on trays with brushes and combs
Music: Robin, our music teacher, will be by in addition to the spontaneous stuff we sing
Books: The kids are really fond of a book along the lines of "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" but with dinosaurs. I think because it has big, googly eyes sticking out the book. I think the thing is a bit scary, but they laugh at it. They also like the repetitive Eric Carle books, so we'll have some small group readings when there seems to be interest.
Gooey: Pumpkin pie play dough with an assortment of dough toys
Easel: Chalk
Art/Manipulatives: Shaving cream on trays with brushes and combs
Music: Robin, our music teacher, will be by in addition to the spontaneous stuff we sing
Books: The kids are really fond of a book along the lines of "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" but with dinosaurs. I think because it has big, googly eyes sticking out the book. I think the thing is a bit scary, but they laugh at it. They also like the repetitive Eric Carle books, so we'll have some small group readings when there seems to be interest.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Gak
Everyone has a Gak-like recipe in their repertoire. This makes a gooey white substance that flows slowly or can shatter if hit fast. It can be molded like a play dough but immediately starts to soften and lose its shape. We pass this recipe out to parents all the time and I couldn't find a copyright statement on the web, so I'm assuming this is free. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Some activities for Gak include:
- Place the Gak over things with holes on a table, such as slotted spoons, berry baskets, or other objects you can easily wash.
- Use the Gak with plastic knives and cookie cutters to form slowly "melting" shapes.
- Let the Gak settle in a large, shallow pan and let children write on it with markers.
- Let children write on the Gak with markers and then play with it to see what happens to the colors.
- Suspend a holey basket, like a berry basket, from the ceiling above a table. Let the children cut the Gak with scissors as it slowly droops to the table.
- Have the children help make Gak. You mix the Borax into the warm water and let the children pour small amounts of it in the glue mixture. Give each child the lump they created to play with on a tray.
- Let kids add glitter or small glitter shapes to watch where they go as the Gak is moved around.
Recipe:
2 cups Elmer's glue
1 1/2 cups cool water
1 tbsp Borax
1 cup warm water
food coloring or liquid water color
Mix the glue and cool water in a large bowl. Dissolve the Borax into the warm water in a measuring cup. If you want to color the Gak add the coloring to the Borax mixture. Add the dissolved Borax to the glue mixture 1/3 of a cup at a time. Stir with each addition, pulling out the lumps as they form. Work in the excess liquid with your hands and then knead into a lump. Store in a sealed container.
Tips:
- Use Elmer's glue. I've made this with other brands and it's a bit stinky. If you plan to make this up a few days before you use it and it sits in a container, the non-Elmer's version really smells. Even some kids won't go near it.
- The color mostly stays with the warm water, so you can get multiple colors out of one batch if you separate the Borax solution into as many parts as you want colors. Do your lightest color first.
- Advise parents to wash Gak-y clothing as soon as possible. While it is possible to get set-in Gak out with muliple washings, or freezing and picking, it's a whole lot easier to clean it up front. Same goes for teachers. :)
Some activities for Gak include:
- Place the Gak over things with holes on a table, such as slotted spoons, berry baskets, or other objects you can easily wash.
- Use the Gak with plastic knives and cookie cutters to form slowly "melting" shapes.
- Let the Gak settle in a large, shallow pan and let children write on it with markers.
- Let children write on the Gak with markers and then play with it to see what happens to the colors.
- Suspend a holey basket, like a berry basket, from the ceiling above a table. Let the children cut the Gak with scissors as it slowly droops to the table.
- Have the children help make Gak. You mix the Borax into the warm water and let the children pour small amounts of it in the glue mixture. Give each child the lump they created to play with on a tray.
- Let kids add glitter or small glitter shapes to watch where they go as the Gak is moved around.
Recipe:
2 cups Elmer's glue
1 1/2 cups cool water
1 tbsp Borax
1 cup warm water
food coloring or liquid water color
Mix the glue and cool water in a large bowl. Dissolve the Borax into the warm water in a measuring cup. If you want to color the Gak add the coloring to the Borax mixture. Add the dissolved Borax to the glue mixture 1/3 of a cup at a time. Stir with each addition, pulling out the lumps as they form. Work in the excess liquid with your hands and then knead into a lump. Store in a sealed container.
Tips:
- Use Elmer's glue. I've made this with other brands and it's a bit stinky. If you plan to make this up a few days before you use it and it sits in a container, the non-Elmer's version really smells. Even some kids won't go near it.
- The color mostly stays with the warm water, so you can get multiple colors out of one batch if you separate the Borax solution into as many parts as you want colors. Do your lightest color first.
- Advise parents to wash Gak-y clothing as soon as possible. While it is possible to get set-in Gak out with muliple washings, or freezing and picking, it's a whole lot easier to clean it up front. Same goes for teachers. :)
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Lesson Plan Review for Week of Oct. 28
Wow, what a great week! The dough was a huge hit, as were the coffee grounds.
Monday the kids instantly got into the coffee grounds, which were so fine that I set it up with fake flowers and gardening equipment. After a little while a few wandered over to where we had set up the dough on trays. Each tray had a little cup of flour, a spoon, and a spice. Initially most of what the did was to dump the flour and ask for more without doing any mixing or kneading. One of the children, who obviously had done some bread baking, started rolling the dough around and stretching it to mix the flour in. Then everyone was giving their dough some pounding. Tip: don't stand next to someone who is beating their floury dough--it's tough to breathe!
After a LOT of flour (remember, Bev Bos says that kids need too much!) someone noticed the spice bottles. We sniffed them all and then the spicy dumping began. By snack time most of the kids had flour and/or spices up and down their fronts. Between the spices and the coffee grounds the room smelled like we had been baking holiday cookies with coffee as a drink.
On Wednesday the parent helper had planned with me to let the kids make Monkey Bread. You'll find the recipe in a lot of places, but it amounts to rolling small portions of dough in a light sugar coating and putting all the balls in a large baking pan, usually a Bundt or something similar. An adult pours over a butter topping and then it's baked. Our recipe called for using biscuit dough as the balls. The parent had set up two shallow bowls with the sugar mixture and the kids had a blast rolling the little balls around and putting them in the pan. Some kids just wanted to put the balls in the sugar over and over, but some of the older ones were more careful about rolling them around and placing them in the baking pan.
I love baking in the classroom. This recipe has to bake for 40 minutes, so while we normally would have the kids help us mix the sugar coating portion we elected to do that ahead of time. As it turned out we had to have snack near the end of class because of how long it took to bake. I also prefer to bake healthier things, but this did lay the ground work for having the group focus on a task together. At least for those who were interested.
Anyway, after we put the Monkey Bread in the oven we went back to our dough on trays. Several of the children could have done that happily for the rest of the morning.
Monday the kids instantly got into the coffee grounds, which were so fine that I set it up with fake flowers and gardening equipment. After a little while a few wandered over to where we had set up the dough on trays. Each tray had a little cup of flour, a spoon, and a spice. Initially most of what the did was to dump the flour and ask for more without doing any mixing or kneading. One of the children, who obviously had done some bread baking, started rolling the dough around and stretching it to mix the flour in. Then everyone was giving their dough some pounding. Tip: don't stand next to someone who is beating their floury dough--it's tough to breathe!
After a LOT of flour (remember, Bev Bos says that kids need too much!) someone noticed the spice bottles. We sniffed them all and then the spicy dumping began. By snack time most of the kids had flour and/or spices up and down their fronts. Between the spices and the coffee grounds the room smelled like we had been baking holiday cookies with coffee as a drink.
On Wednesday the parent helper had planned with me to let the kids make Monkey Bread. You'll find the recipe in a lot of places, but it amounts to rolling small portions of dough in a light sugar coating and putting all the balls in a large baking pan, usually a Bundt or something similar. An adult pours over a butter topping and then it's baked. Our recipe called for using biscuit dough as the balls. The parent had set up two shallow bowls with the sugar mixture and the kids had a blast rolling the little balls around and putting them in the pan. Some kids just wanted to put the balls in the sugar over and over, but some of the older ones were more careful about rolling them around and placing them in the baking pan.
I love baking in the classroom. This recipe has to bake for 40 minutes, so while we normally would have the kids help us mix the sugar coating portion we elected to do that ahead of time. As it turned out we had to have snack near the end of class because of how long it took to bake. I also prefer to bake healthier things, but this did lay the ground work for having the group focus on a task together. At least for those who were interested.
Anyway, after we put the Monkey Bread in the oven we went back to our dough on trays. Several of the children could have done that happily for the rest of the morning.
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