It's A Bear!

Our TTh classes will be enjoying the book We're Going on a Bear Hunt throughout the school year.  After I read the book to the children, we will gather in a large circle and going on many 'bear hunts' all year long.

Shapes and Colors

Our TTh class has started the school year with a unit on shapes and colors.  We talk about shapes and colors ALL the time in our room.  'What shape is that block', 'What color are you using?'....you get the idea.   Learning through play by talking about the play!

Our craft on Tuesday had lots of squares.  Crafts in our room about listening and  following teacher directions.  You can read this post for more information ...http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-vs-crafts.html  We talked about color, the square shape and size (the squares kept getting smaller!)  

We often have an activity on the art table when the children arrive.  Today we had lots of circles for painting!

Painting ideas...

 http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/08/painting-at-preschool.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/08/more-paint-brushes.html

An Absolutely Awesome Adventure!

This week our MWF preK classes started on An Absolutely Awesome Adventure!  We 'read' some words that started with 'A' and turned our letter A into an apple. On Monday, the children chopped apples and we made applesauce in the crock-pot.  Today we ate applesauce for snack and it was sweet, warm and delicious! 

We have also been talking a lot about America and where we live. The concept of planet, continent, country, state, town is difficult for preschoolers to grasp.  We are just introducing the idea...we will continue to talk about our country throughout the year as we 'travel' the world.  We have several maps and a globe in the room for the children to look at and explore.

We also have been learning about American symbols-the White House, the Liberty Bell, the Washington Monument and the Statue Liberty.

White House Tour---http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house

Statue of Liberty virtual tour---http://www.nps.gov/stli/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm

Facts about the Liberty Bell---http://www.nps.gov/stli/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm

The Washington Monument---http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm

That kept us pretty busy but we also created some patriotic art.  We provide sheets of tag board for the children and added red, white and blue stripes.  After they glued stripes, we added stars!  Patriotic, creative and each one is unique! 

Want to do more?  Do you have a globe or world map?  Get them out and let your child discover their world!

Peace, Love and Pumpkins

 The Morton Pumpkin Festival starts today and runs through Saturday. Carnival rides, crafts, games, food and lots and lots of pumpkins.  More info at  http://www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org/

Metamora Mayor's Prayer Luncheon

The Mayor's Prayer Luncheon will be held on Thursday, September 27th.  This event is sponsored by MABA (Metamora Area Business Association) and the Germantown Hills Chamber of Commerce.  The luncheon will be at the Metamora Fields at 12 p.m.

Get some friends and enjoy lunch, fellowship and more.  Pat Ryan, MTHS varsity football coach, will be the keynote speaker and Rachel West Kramer will be performing.  Tickets are $30 and much be purchased in advance (by Friday, September 21st).  Tickets are available the Metamora and Germantown Hills Heartland Banks. 

WorldFest 2012

 If you can't make it to the Meet Your Heroes event in Metamora, head to the Peoria Civic Center today.  The annual WorldFest celebration is from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the exhibit hall.  There will be an international food court, entertainment and many local cultural groups will be represented.  Best of all...admission is FREE!  

 

Milk Cap ABC's

Each of our MWF preK students will be receiving a small bag of milk caps.  Each bag contains letters A-Z.  We hope you use these at home, in the car and waiting for appointments.  They are great for letter recognition and putting the letters in alphabetical order.  I found one inch round labels at a local office supply store.  I used the Avery 5410 1" round labels.   You could use milk caps for sight words, math facts (Make them self checking.  Use a sharpie and put the answer on the other side), numbers, colors and patterns.  MCP parents---If you would like some milk caps, we will have bags in the hallway over the next few weeks.  Create some fun games for home!