Happy Halloween and more October Holidays

National Candy Corn Day is October 30th

It is the first day of October. Halloween is still so far away in the eyes of a young child so what can we celebrate between now and October 31st?  Lots!  It is National Apple Month,  National Dessert Month and National Pizza Month (which I don't understand how there is a National Cheese Pizza Day in September and then a National Pizza Month but I am not about to try to figure that one out!)  Here is what you can celebrate in October---

October 1st---Today is Homemade Cookies Day.  Need a short cut?  Here is an easy cookie recipe we use at school...Cake Mix Cookies   Very easy and a wonderful opportunity to be in the kitchen with your child.

October 4th---Donald Sobol's birthday.   Don't recognize the name?  You might have read his books about Encyclopedia Brown, boy detective.   Great books for older children and reluctant readers.

October 5th---Have a playdate at McDonald's Playland today.  Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, was born on this day in 1902.

October 19th---Grab some paper, pencils, crayons and markers and celebrate Ed Emberley's birthday.  Ed Emberley  helps children learn to draw with easy step by step instructions using shapes and letters.

October 24th---National Bologna Day.  My bologna has a first name...

October 30th---National Candy Corn Day.  Here are lots of ideas to celebrate candy corn...MCP Candy Corn Ideas

Bullying Stops Here

Just finished reading this story on CNN.  What an inspiration! 

Whitney Kropp's story---http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/29/us/michigan-teen-prank/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Facebook page...http://www.facebook.com/SupportWhitneyKropp

Ten Apples Up on Top

Published in 1961, Ten Apples Up on Top!  is a classic children's counting book.  Our TTh class started the week listening to the story and then we had our first craft using scissors.

Each child was given a piece of red paper with a circle shape.  We showed them how to the hold the scissors and each child attempted to cut the circle.  Please do not worry if you child's apple is not cut correctly. We send crafts home 'as is'. This activity is a first scissor experience for many of the children.  We will be using scissors in many many crafts throughout the school year and scissors are always available in our art center for the children to use.

After cutting the circle, we added a stem and leaf to finish our apple.

Please Write Us in the U.S.

Our MWF classes have started a world wide adventure and we would love your help.  The students are being introduced to the concepts of continents, countries, and towns.  We talk about children all over the world are going to school, sleeping, eating breakfast, and playing with their friends. It's a big idea for small children.

We started with the United States of America...A is for America.   This week we are learning about our neighbor to the north, Canada! We will learn about many countries during the school year. We will be learning each country's flag is different from our own and basic things about each country.

If you are up for the adventure, please write us via 'snail mail' so the children can see stamps and have the excitement of receiving mail.  You can send us postcards or include maps or brochures in your letter.  Please let us know your city.  We are going to place pins on our large map and we also have a map of flags we will be making tally marks to count the number of letters from each country.

This is the first time I have done this with preschoolers so it should be fun (or a disaster but that's okay, too).  I will keep you updated on our progress.  It truly is a small world!

METAMORA COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL
P. O. BOX 928
METAMORA, ILLINOIS 61548
UNITED STATES of  AMERICA

Peoria Zoo Tours

The Peoria Zoo is offering two unique tours this week.  This first tour is Friday, September 28th at 7 p.m.  This is an after dark tour.  Cost is $15 and includes zoo admission.  The second tour is Saturday, September 29th and is a behind-the-scenes tour.  The tour will begin at 9 a.m. and cost is $20 and includes the price of admission.  To register or for more information visit the Peoria Zoo website---http://www.peoriazoo.org/

Smile!

Smile for the camera!

Just a reminder that school pictures are this week.  

Dress nice and bring your best smile!

Welcome Fall!

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence~

Fall Garden 2012

The MWF classes have filled our fall tree with beautiful leaves this week.  Why?  Because every time they cut a leaf  they get  to press the EASY BUTTON! http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2011/11/that-was-easy.html