Owl Moon, Bean Bags and Spanish

We have discussed special relationships between children and adults and shared about meaningful experiences. Everyone has drawn a picture in their journals about a favorite memory. We have also made a variety of moon shapes to paste in our journals and hang up around the classroom. The different phases of the moon have been labeled as well. Lots of conversations about self-control, bravery, and patience have been inspired by our book study of Owl Moon. It takes a great deal of these important character traits to be out in the woods watching and waiting to see owls.
This week we will be going more in depth to learn about wooded habitats, trees, shadows, owls, daylight and darkness, and the lives of naturalists.

Lavender bean bags have been enthusiastically started. First, all the children were given the opportunity to scoop, pour, and feel bowls full of flaxseeds and lavender. They experienced a wonderful sense of these materials. Then they each received their own square sewn together on three sides and were shown how to turn them right side out and poke the corners out with a thin wooden dowel. The filling began! This occupied everyone's attention for a good 30 minutes and the bean bags will be finished this week. They have many fun and creative uses. The bean bags are to be handled with care and may be used in quiet play as a pillow for a small animal or doll, a load to be carried by a truck, or a soft companion for sleep. Lavender is a wonderful and relaxing scent that is very soothing.

This Monday morning we will be starting a 30 minute Spanish enrichment class with stories, songs, counting, games, and simple phrases. Our present focus will be on introductions and counting.
We will be using a unique language program that introduces children to the excitement of the Spanish language and makes them feel that learning another language and understanding a different culture are enriching and fun experiences.
Our activities will include:

1) A complete language course designed for early childhood
2) A wide range of learning
3) Age appropriate games
4) Spanish language songs
5) Information about the Spanish speaking world
6) Activity books
7) One on one time with fluent speakers and teachers

Monday Spanish class starts at 9 a.m.

We have exciting plans coming up for Spring and Summer this year. Miss Casey will be spending more time here at Apple Blossom during the week and has many great ideas she is looking forward to implementing with all the children including more music, art projects, gardening, science and nature explorations! Your child will not want to miss it!

Moon Phases, Owls, and Patience

This week our new book study is based on Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. The story is about a young boy who has waited very patiently to go "owling" with his father on a cold winter night. We will be learning about the moon, observing photos of owls and woodland habitats, and hearing about patience.

Other books we will be reading include:

The Boy and the Moon by James Carroll
Why Does the Moon Change Shape? by Melissa Stewart
Many Moons byJames Thurber
When You Look Up at the Moon by Allen Fowler
Moonstruck by Gennifer Chadenke
Sometimes Moon by Carole Schaefer
The Birth of the Moon byCoby Hol

Treasure Hunt

Thursday was an exciting finale to our study of Katy and the Big Snow!
We discussed the directions of North, South, East, and West, labeled our room, and went outside to work with a compass, find North, and make maps for a treasure hunt. Each child received their own individual map with a marked path and set off to find a hidden treasure. Then everyone took turns hiding treasures for their friends to find.
The wonderful weather of the week has been a welcome change and the children have been so eager to just run all over our outside play areas. They have been waiting a long time for that!
Please remember to work on a simple map with your child that shows the way from Apple Blossom Preschool to your own house. We will be sharing those with our friends so everyone can have a sense of where each child lives.
Also, be watching the moon at night and have your child draw what they see with you. Our next book study will be based on Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and we will be hearing and learning a lot about the moon!

Reading Express

We are now participating in a program through the Springfield Library District and the Missouri Parent Information Resource Center called Racing to Read Express. We will be hosting visits from Library staff who will be working with us on the following concepts:

1) Gaining knowledge about effective literacy activities for children ages 2 to 5
2) Learning methods for sharing books with children that will increase their language skills
3) Learning about valuable resources available at the Springfield-Greene County public libraries
4) Receiving age appropriate materials for all of our children
5) Receiving other materials, expert demonstrations, and recommendations
6) On the last visit, each child will receive a book to take home

Each visit with library staff will last approximately one and one half hours.
We will be incorporating literacy activities into our daily program, sending literacy and library information home to parents, and working with our project coordinator to perform early literacy assessments.

This will be a great opportunity for each child and family!

Happy Valentine's Day

We had a very sweet day today filled with beautiful Valentine cards, a story about St. Valentine, heart searches, red snacks, and pink, purple, and red art!
Thanks to all who brought in special treats to share. The children were excited about the red rasberries, apples, cherry tomatoes, and heart shaped cookies!
Other books we read and discussed included:

The Day it Rained Hearts! by Felicia Bond
Mouse's First Valentine by Lauren Thompson
Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting

It was a wonderful day with lots of time to play outside as well, which was a warm and welcome change!!

Ice, Forgiveness

A January Thaw
E.L. Benedict

A glitter in the winter sun, a row of shining tips
And drops of water coming down in slow and solemn drips
What is this music regular, this rhythm without a flaw?
'Tis the icicles a-weeping in a January thaw

What a perfect week to learn about ice!
Since our attendance has been so low, however, we will be extending the current studies for two more weeks.
We will be exploring ice, observing icicles, making ice sun catchers, watching ice melt, talking all about the process of things freezing, and also discussing forgiveness.

Special treats will include frozen bananas and hot chocolate and stories by the fire.

We are starting a new book called Katy and the Big Snow which ties in nicely with our current weather situation as well. Information about all the activities we will be doing along with this story have been sent home or will come home shortly in your child's folder. Please bring the folders every day as this is a great way to keep in touch and provides a place to put important information regarding our learning units. You may also use the folder as a place to put your tuition payments and any notes for the teacher!

Indoor "ice skating", ice painting, freeze dance and musical hugs are some of the upcoming events.

We will hear a story told called North Wind and Little Jack Frost and other books we will share together are:

Ice Palace by Deborah Blumenthal
Ivy's Icicle; Forgiving Others by Gary Bower
The Icicle Forest by Gail Herman
Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay by Peter Cumming
Skating with Bears by Andrew Breakspeare
Show Each Other Forgiveness by Melody Carlson
Under the Yellow Moon by Edith Hope Fine

This week's reflection: Forgiveness

" Forgiveness is the giving, and so the receiving, of life."
-George McDonald

"Accepting what has occurred in the past as well as what is occurring in the present, is in itself an act of forgiveness. When we forgive the moments in our lives, we accept them for what they are - without trying to change them. In return, we open ourselves up to receiving Life with all of its lessons, its beauty, its sorrows...we accept that every event in our life has a purpose. Spend some time this week contemplating issues that are causing pain in your life. Allow yourself to use this time to forgive the events and accept them for what they are. Allow yourself to break free of resistance and the desire to make it right or change it. This type of surrender will in turn give you the peace you desire."

Little Acorn Learning

Happy Snow Day!

It's a snow day!
Enjoy the time with your little ones and stay safe and warm. We'll see you soon!