Reindeer games

Today during centers the children made reindeer headbands.  To do this they cut out the outline of their hands.  They then glued them on a paper headband for antlers.  Next, they drew on two eyes.  Lastly, they glued on a red nose and added glitter glue for bling.  We will use the antlers on Friday for our reindeer games.  The children will do the reindeer poky, as well as play reindeer, reindeer, Santa.

At one of our independent centers the children played a reindeer roll and cover game.  They were each given dice.  They rolled their dice and placed the corresponding amount of cubes on their reindeer mats.  Playing games is a great way to involve your children in learning.  Here is a list of my top 5 children's games.

1.  Sequence For Kids
2.  Going to Grandma's House
3.  Monopoly Junior
4.  Zingo
5.  Candy Land

Rudolph

Today we read the following Rudolph color poem:

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

What will you do?

You can’t guide Santa

IF your nose is

blue!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

You’re such a silly fellow,

Who will know it’s you

If your nose is

yellow!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Your way cannot be seen

Through the wintry weather

If your nose is

green!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Santa gave a wink,

But what will Santa think

If your nose is

pink?

Rudolph! Rudolph!

It’s time to fly at night

But you’re quite a sight

Cause your nose is

white!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

It’s time to go to town

But Santa’s wearing a frown

Cause your nose is

brown!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Santa has his sack,

But you’re not ready

If your nose is

black!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

The children are in bed.

And now I know you’re ready

Cause your nose is
red!

 

During center time the children made their own take home book based on this poem.  The objective of this poem is to practice rhyming words.  Red sounds the same as bed they rhyme.  Yellow sounds the same as fellow they rhyme.

 

In keeping with the literacy theme the children played the Christmas stocking mystery game.  Each child took a turn pulling one item out of the stocking.  They identified the object that they pulled out.  They then decided what letter it began with. The children then put the item in the corresponding gift bag.  If your child needs extra help with beginning sounds, this activity can be easily replicated at home.  Just collect small objects around the house and place them in a stocking.

 



Children

In the wake of the tragic events that happened in Connecticut, I would like to leave you with a poem to ponder this weekend.

ABC's of Children

Submitted by: familyof3

Author: Meiji Steward

Amazing, acknowledge them.
Believable, trust them.
Childlike, allow them.
Divine, honor them.
Energetic, nourish them.
Fallible, embrace them.
Gifts, treasure them.
Here now, be with them.
Innocent, delight with them.
Joyful, appreciate them.
Kindhearted, learn from them.
Lovable, cherish them.
Magical, fly with them.
Noble, esteem them.
Open minded, respect them.
Precious, value them.
Questioners, encourage them.
Resourceful, support them.
Spontaneous, enjoy them.
Talented, believe in them.
Unique, affirm them.
Vulnerable, protect them.
Whole, recognize them.
Xtraspecial, celebrate them.
Yearning, notice them.
Zany, laugh with them

Children=our most precious gift!

W is for Winter

Today our read aloud was titled 10 Shiny Snowflakes.  The concepts that were focused on in this book were rhyming words and counting backwards(subtracting one).  The children love these types of books because they can actively participate in the story by reading some of the parts.

During centers today the children made the letter "W" for their alphabet book.  They cut the "W" out on the line provided.  Then they used snowflake stamps to make their "W" look like winter. At my center the children journaled what they like to do when it is cold outside.  We focused on drawing a recognizable person as well as adding detail to our picture.

I also want to share with you another play center that we are using during the month of December.  Math and Science has been transformed into Santa's workshop.  The children can go to the workshop and make a list of toys that they would like to purchase.  Santa's Elves will then fill their orders.  The toys are then given to friends as gifts.

Tips for a happy Holiday Program!

       
 
Don’t forget . . . to drop off your child in room 300,at 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12^th!  You and your family will then go to the cafeteria to find a place to sit and we will do a little bit of practice with all of the children. 

 

*Before leaving for the program, explain to your child that you will bring him/her to our classroom and that you will go to the cafeteria.  Tell him/her that you will be watching for him/her and you can’t wait to hear his/her pretty singing voice!

*Watch for your child as he/she enters the cafeteria!  Wave and smile to your child!  It’s always nice to have a friendly, familiar face to look at amidst the crowd!

*After the program, tell your child how proud you are of him or her!  Go through the treat line together and pick out some treats to share! 

*Please watch all of your children closely after the program.  Children should stay OFF the risers and should always WALK in the cafeteria.  This is for everyone’s safety! 

 

Thank you!  We’ll see you there!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Today the students took part in one center.  They made a Santa Claus art project.  The main objective for this project was to have the students work on their fine motor skills as well as their ability to follow directions.  I am going to let this project be a surprise!  Look for it decorating the walls at our Holiday Program. 

The children are getting very excited for our program on Wednesday.  Since we practiced extra hard today, instead of inside playtime I gave the children extra outdoor play time.  The snow sparked the children's use of describing words and conversational skills.  They worked together to build a snow castle.  They described the snow blocks as enormous and heavy.  They worked together to plan how to build walls and get their structure to be sound.

Fun Friday

Today our read aloud was titled Dream Snow.  As I read a story to the children I stop every couple of pages to ask the children what they think is going to happen next.  For this book I had to stop after almost all of the pages, because in the story there is a snowstorm.  The snow blankets all of the farmer's animals.  We had to predict which animal was under the blanket of snow.  As you read bedtime books to your children take time to stop and ask them what they think will happen next.

During centers today the children cut out the letter I.  Their I looked like an igloo.  They painted their I with glue and then sprinkled it with white glitter to make ice on their igloo.

At Mrs. Severson's center the children experimented with ice.  They were each given a direction sheet.  They rolled a die and followed the corresponding direction.  Sometimes they had to shake salt on their ice, while other times they had to hold it in their glove.  The purpose of this activity was to observe the reaction to warmth on ice.

 

 

We couldn't talk about ice and winter without mentioning cocoa.  Today during snack the children taste tested hot cocoa with marshmallows.  The reason we do taste tests in 4K is so that we can graph the results.  Being able to analyse information and make comparisons is a life skill.