We introduce new vocabulary words to our students all the time. We stop reading a story to define a word. We introduce new words when we study foreign countries. New vocabulary is introduced when we are doing science experiments and creating art. Why is building your child's vocabulary important? There are links to vocabulary and reading skills. For more info on reading, kindergarten and vocabulary---
Vocabulary---http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=8100
Kindergarten & Social Skills---http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/16/living/kindergarten-social-skills-adult-success-study-feat/index.html
Children & Reading---http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/05/health/parents-reading-to-kids-study/index.html
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Why Masterpiece Monday Is Important
Creative art is a huge part of the MCP program. These watercolors were created by our TTh 3 y/o class. They are so beautiful. Why is art important?
From PBS Parents---http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/
From Early Childhood News---http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=113
Labels:
Arts and Crafts,
Masterpiece Monday
Sunday, March 27, 2016
The MCP Easter Basket
Happy Easter from all of us at MCP!
We hope your Easter basket is brimming with love, laughter, jelly beans and chocolate! The children had fun filling our Easter basket!
Labels:
Arts and Crafts,
Bulletin Boards,
Easter
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
G'Day Mate
Has your child been talking like they have been to the Australian outback? U was for Under and the Land Down Under. Ask your child to find Australia on a map or globe. Can s/he name some Australian animals? They worked really hard on their Aboriginal art, too!
YouTube Aboriginal Painting---
Earth Cam/Sydney, Australia
Live surf cams/Australian beaches---
Aboriginal art will be displayed in our MCP Art Gallery and sent home soon.
Past posts---
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Van Gogh's Bedrooms
Looking for something to do over spring break?
Van Gogh's Bedrooms
An exhibit at the Chicago Art Institute
Ends Tuesday, May 10th.
More info---
How to visit an art museum with young children---
Monday, March 14, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
St. Patrick's Day 2016
This week our preK kiddos will be 'traveling' to the Emerald Isle. We have lots of fun activities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and learn about the children who live in Ireland.
We have green, green and more green in our art center. Holiday collages---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/01/holiday-collages.html

Irish flag center activity---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-irish-eyes-are-smiling.html
Sorting, counting and patterns---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/03/rainbows-and-pot-of-gold.html

And a whole lot more---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/03/st-patricks-day-2015.html
We have green, green and more green in our art center. Holiday collages---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/01/holiday-collages.html
Irish flag center activity---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-irish-eyes-are-smiling.html
Sorting, counting and patterns---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/03/rainbows-and-pot-of-gold.html
And a whole lot more---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/03/st-patricks-day-2015.html
Labels:
Arts and Crafts,
Geography,
Holidays,
Home ideas,
Math,
St. Pat's
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Owl Posts
Our bird unit continues w/our TTh 3 y/o class. We are learning about birds and owls with the help of Martin Waddell's book Owl Babies. On Thursday, we created a colorful owl.
We had large ovals cut out from our cereal boxes. Teachers put glue all over the oval and students added colored circles. Circles were cut from scrapbook paper scraps and some colored copy paper donated to our program.
We had large ovals cut out from our cereal boxes. Teachers put glue all over the oval and students added colored circles. Circles were cut from scrapbook paper scraps and some colored copy paper donated to our program.
Students added eyes, beak and legs. This was a big project for our 3 y/o. How cute are Sara, Percy and Bill? Very cute!
Whooooo wants to count and press the easy button?
Find out how we stood on eggs without breaking them. Eggs are strong! These are super easy activities to do at home with your child.
I love how Steve Spangler approaches science...http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/
Spring is just around the corner. Have some fun learning about and watching the birds with your child.
Labels:
Arts and Crafts,
Home ideas,
Letter/Number Recognition,
Math,
Science
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
One Day I Will --- International Women's Day
One day, I will be able to look around my community, my country and our world and see that all children are receiving quality early childhood education.
For more information on the One day I will...
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/08/living/international-womens-day-google-doodle-feat/index.html
Share your dreams at...
https://landing.google.com/onedayiwill/
For more information on the One day I will...
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/08/living/international-womens-day-google-doodle-feat/index.html
Share your dreams at...
https://landing.google.com/onedayiwill/
National Pancake Day
(It really is National Pancake Day.)
The words and the tune---
Monday, March 7, 2016
Pablo Picasso 2016
Last week our preK students learned that Picasso began to look at and paint things in a much different way than other artists. This style became known as 'cubism'. The children looked at many of Picasso's cubist paintings.
We also began a discussion on two dimensional and three dimensional shapes. We learned a cube is a three dimensional shape. I had two cubes with magazine faces. We looked at the two dimensional picture. I folded the cube and we saw the picture was still there but it looked very different.
We also began a discussion on two dimensional and three dimensional shapes. We learned a cube is a three dimensional shape. I had two cubes with magazine faces. We looked at the two dimensional picture. I folded the cube and we saw the picture was still there but it looked very different.
For the children to create their own cubist portrait, we had them draw black lines.
The children were instructed to color. We didn't care if they stayed within the lines or not. We always tell them that it is their art and their choice.
During the week, the children completed their portrait in small groups during center time. They added eyes, nose, a mouth and hair. They will be hanging in our MCP Art Gallery soon!
More fun with Picasso---
Gallery Picassohead
Paint Your Own Picasso
Labels:
Arts and Crafts,
Masterpiece Monday
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