SNOW

Snow!
The children have had lots of fun these past few days playing in the snow. We made snowmen today, threw snowballs, observed animal tracks, made our own tracks, played with moonsand, and put together a long train in the playroom using tree stumps.
Singing and joyful play fill the atmosphere as everyone peacefully explores the new sights, textures, and circle times of winter...
A new year approaches and we will be moving into a full preschool curriculum using a variety of resources. We will start with a book called Before Five in a Row which is a full range of subjects including math, science, art, history, and language arts based on a story that we will read for 2 -3 weeks. Our art projects will be based first on a book titled Young at Art. Conservation Seeds is a program from the Missouri Department of Conservation that we will use for our science and nature discovery.
The three learning philosophies that provide the backbone of all we do here are the indications of Rudolf Steiner, Reggio Emilia, and Charlotte Mason. I will be sending home more information on our weekly lesson plans and also about these different styles of preschool education.
Basically we want our learning with the children to revolve around a sense of beauty and reverence with respect for each child's individual learning styles. Artistic activities will weave through all the different subjects as we integrate everything together in a chronological unifying manner.

celebrating the season

We have had a wonderful few weeks celebrating the start of winter and the Christmas season!
Our art projects have included cotton ball snowmen, Christmas ornaments, crystal making, activities with ice, ice "skating" in the playroom, and Christmas cards.
Books revolved around the current themes of light and dark, winter, hibernation, Christmas, and the tracks of various animals.

Owl Moon
Christmas Cookies
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Winter's Gift
My Little Polar Bear
Here Comes Jack Frost
Rabbit's Winter Walk
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
A Wish to be a Christmas Tree
The Gingerbread Pirates
Christmas in New York
Dream Snow
Heart of a Snowman
Corduroy's Christmas

Thank you to everyone for all of the wonderful gift certificates, chocolate, books, soaps, and other goodies....these are all so special and meaningful reminders of the amazing families I am so privileged to serve. It is an honor to have you all in our lives and I wish you a very peaceful and special Christmas celebration!