Leaves are Falling & Autumn is Calling

On MWF the art center is busy!  Fall colors, glue and scissors!  What beautiful fall trees!

A simple leaf shape is traced on paper for students to cut.


Cut the leaf, make a tally mark and press 'the easy button'.


We call it 'The Garden'.

Large cardboard pieces allow children to work together on a project. Student paint and glue on grass and leaves.

Spend some time outside exploring fall colors with your child!

The MCP Royal Castle

You have probably heard that there is a castle in the dress up area!

More info---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2011/10/mcp-castle.html

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten

Some words of wisdom from Metamora mayor and former superintendent of MTHS, Ken Maurer.

http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20180921/spotlight-whos-responsible-for-preparing-kindergarteners-for-school

O Canada National Anthem

A quick visit to our neighbor to the north! Our MWF preK students are having fun finding countries on our maps and globes.

Sunflower Seeds

Our MWF classes have been harvesting sunflower seeds so we can feed the birds this winter and plant seeds in the spring.  Thanks to Mrs. U for growing the flowers and bringing in the flower heads!

Bubbles 2018

Bubbles bring joy!  Tablets, smartphones, electronic learning tools do not bring the squeals, giggles and laughter that bubbles do.  Bubbles have a universal appeal to all children.  My husband and I  watched this scene on our vacation this past summer.  Children were running and laughing and the adults around them were smiling at their exuberance and abandon.

We love bubbles at MCP.  We do not use commercial bubbles but make our own and use summer swim nets found at your local dollar store for the bubble wands. Remember to closely supervise young children around liquids (even bubble solution).  An adult should be within arm's length of any water source even buckets and pans.

Bubble recipe---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/04/bubbles.html

Experience the joy of bubbles with your child!

Will It Go 'Round in Circles?

We love crafting with our TTh 3 y/o class!  Lots of circles and LOTS of glue!

Circles needed a little bit of drying time before being sent home.

More shapes and more glue this week!

Where Are the Worksheets?

We do not use daily worksheets to teach colors, shapes, letters and numbers. Why not?

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=134

https://sicilysheartandhome.com/worksheets-are-not-appropriate/

Lacing Cards 2018

Lacing cards are a very important part of the MCP curriculum.  We have lacing cards available for the children everyday.  After your child laces a card, we do not rip out their work for the next student.  Your child may take the lacing card home! This is an important difference in purchased lacing cards.  We are working on strengthening those very important fine motor skills---building strength to hold a pencil, crayon, paint and scissors.  When a child gets to keep their work, they are more likely to participate in the activity.  

Lacing cards are easy to make at home with your child. Old greeting cards and cereal boxes make colorful cards that will interest your child.  Here's how---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/12/lacing-cards.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2013/09/lacing-cards-2013.html

http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2015/02/lacing-cards-strengthen-fine-motor-skills/

The Bear Necessities

We have 'bear-ly' started the school year but our TTh 3 y/o class is having a lot of fun gluing! The 'Bear Books', Beanie Babies and craft projects have kept us busy!

We are learning to be good listeners when we work on a project.  Shapes, colors and spatial relationships (top, bottom, below, between, etc.) are things that we work on when we craft at MCP.

What is your child's favorite bear?

We count and learn words like greater, less, more and equal.  We are building math vocabulary!

An All American Experience

Our MWF preK classes are learning about America and her symbols!  Red, white and blue cut outs make patriotic collages!

 

 

 

 

 
A is for apples!  What is your child's favorite apple snack?

Fun Food Friday was applesauce.  More numbers!  

Morning Class

Afternoon Class

White paper and red & blue paint were in the art center for patriotic pictures!

Geoboards & Pattern Blocks 2018

When your child brings home the weekly activity sheet you may see 'geoboards' or 'pattern blocks' listed in the Discovery Center.  These early childhood activities are an important part of your preschoolers development.

More info---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2016/09/geoboards-pattern-blocks.html

The Bear Facts

National Geographic Kids---

Black Bears

https://www.natgeokids.com/au/discover/animals/general-animals/black-bear-facts/

Polar Bears

https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/general-animals/polar-bear-facts/

Pandas

https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/general-animals/ten-panda-facts/

Enjoy learning more about bears with your child!

Don't Stick Your Finger Up Your Nose 2018

We LOVE to sing this song!

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/09/dont-stick-your-finger-up-your-nose.html

Arts & Crafts 2018

Smart kids are creative.  To be creative you need access to materials but there is a difference between arts and crafts.  Art is child driven.  Crafts are teacher driven.  Find out more---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2016/09/arts-crafts-2016.html

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/

MCP School Songs 2018

We sing a lot at MCP.  We sing when we want the children line up. We sing when we want the children to sit down.  We sing to get their attention.  We also sing to teach concepts and just for fun.  What do we sing? 

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2013/09/sticky-sticky-bubblegum.html

National Play Doh Day 2018

Next Sunday, September 16th, is National Play Doh Day.  Plan ahead for some fun with playdough with your child.  Hate playdough in the house?  Go outside.  Meet some friends in the park and celebrate and get creative!  

MCP recipes---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/lots-and-lots-of-playdough.html

Why play dough is important to your child's development---

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/playdough-power

Making a Friend

We hope your child had some fun with new friends this week!  Have a great weekend!

The Importance of Play

From the American Academy of Pediatrics---

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182