tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64337656632740680452024-02-18T19:24:32.946-08:00PreK, My StyleIt's all about the journey (:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-39742288990398791962016-02-11T18:42:00.000-08:002016-02-11T18:45:10.507-08:00<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Up-cycled Valentine Chocolates Boxes</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4KmMHHa27NAnqLS8w-l5_2HFsSFoDmQNjmEmyUkjFnW-JndHCqZE_yn8-HGyQhrT33_cbvUNAZo9USzvOvUOjbiEKjsCWa0qKUmkeK-jPNI3AVP82CMLSR2aCBAFU8iS7sO9RrbDVPQ/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4KmMHHa27NAnqLS8w-l5_2HFsSFoDmQNjmEmyUkjFnW-JndHCqZE_yn8-HGyQhrT33_cbvUNAZo9USzvOvUOjbiEKjsCWa0qKUmkeK-jPNI3AVP82CMLSR2aCBAFU8iS7sO9RrbDVPQ/s320/IMG_5299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every Valentines Day I get several boxes of assorted chocolates from my kids. (What teacher don't like chocolate?!!) With a little disassembling and of course eating all the candy you have great stencils made of sturdy cardboard. Some of these I have had for at least 5 or 6 years and each year I add a few more. The kids are always wanting me to draw hearts for them, especially this time of the year. This is such a great way for them to do it by themselves. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArmQnWA2uI8J5IM9GqIGVQ761_VruDBiSVW1j0t31lD65Q360ljiNQCGtlmYXSo0f1oD2Ys2IcgOfjpwoVQlfRTgDcUKfE491BCRBqz_cQ_BhqtR4XYtoCaA9HLVOWv_b1LeRtiJz2Mw/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArmQnWA2uI8J5IM9GqIGVQ761_VruDBiSVW1j0t31lD65Q360ljiNQCGtlmYXSo0f1oD2Ys2IcgOfjpwoVQlfRTgDcUKfE491BCRBqz_cQ_BhqtR4XYtoCaA9HLVOWv_b1LeRtiJz2Mw/s320/IMG_5300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week we made Valentines to take on our field trip to the post office and mail to our families. We traced half of the stencil heart on the folded edge of a piece of paper and then the kids cut the curved line. It is much easier for the kids to cut them out this way and keeps the two sides of the hearts equal. With this new skill learned, we now have dozens and dozens of hearts around the room of all shapes and sizes. (: </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-8942351788728203542016-02-10T21:09:00.000-08:002016-02-10T21:18:24.960-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> More Valentine Fun... </span></b></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Hab3BwBrL1-mC_qlzTP6LeUQm9tVJDc3HJU0zEP1qkL13MiGexkorUDwH7UnxtzHJDP79cIpIssIz0Dvhr_DCZCnEzIG4dof8fDTEhc4LRDa6OatLdUuRsWaVn_rdozdBLyDllj9Cwg/s1600/20160210_093400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Hab3BwBrL1-mC_qlzTP6LeUQm9tVJDc3HJU0zEP1qkL13MiGexkorUDwH7UnxtzHJDP79cIpIssIz0Dvhr_DCZCnEzIG4dof8fDTEhc4LRDa6OatLdUuRsWaVn_rdozdBLyDllj9Cwg/s640/20160210_093400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtTqscphoQUemqnJAkJyIaPzYCoyQ3HMOJ4TdbwF4P6yFZu9kMMnBkFIfKFYv1qMjDDwmkiQc92Ydp2DaLH87lDuSWx-2CiL3LvhWGOTiA_l5N9vYaWz-DT_9axm894RQvzAVECSbL2g/s1600/20160210_093408_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtTqscphoQUemqnJAkJyIaPzYCoyQ3HMOJ4TdbwF4P6yFZu9kMMnBkFIfKFYv1qMjDDwmkiQc92Ydp2DaLH87lDuSWx-2CiL3LvhWGOTiA_l5N9vYaWz-DT_9axm894RQvzAVECSbL2g/s320/20160210_093408_001.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We started out this week talking about Valentines Day like thousands of other PreK classrooms I'm sure. This was a great math activity that the kids really enjoyed. I think the key to any PreK activity<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is f</span>inding something they like to do, like painting and make it a learning activity. We are really working on one-to-one correspondence and counting to 20 so that was my main purpose with this activity. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Supplies:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters, Different Sizes </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Paint ( I used Red, Purple and Pink)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Paper Plates for Paint</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Large Construction Paper</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Marker to write names</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Wet Wipes to clean up</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I simply wrote "20 hearts" on their paper and let the children write their own names. Though many of them are still working on getting their names just right I think it is important to get them in the habit of writing their own names on their work. At this point I recognize all of their signatures. (:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yPbyLFSoXW3r_gtRsrMVBZvkikQMiLUjiqGAkkgRMCS7N3scYLg5qYerPnFMyKFAlGzNAGgPZxECDUbiCprey-T6MUsw-7B5iPbfGYC_GJexLgWMh-WNdSb1yJRRsmoYLGOrD40gbIU/s1600/20160210_093344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yPbyLFSoXW3r_gtRsrMVBZvkikQMiLUjiqGAkkgRMCS7N3scYLg5qYerPnFMyKFAlGzNAGgPZxECDUbiCprey-T6MUsw-7B5iPbfGYC_GJexLgWMh-WNdSb1yJRRsmoYLGOrD40gbIU/s320/20160210_093344.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used 6 cookie cutters, 2 small, 2 medium and 2 large (another concept we talked about) and gave them the instructions to make and count 20 hearts. I let them choose the combination of colors and cutters they wanted to use and had them count out loud as they made each one. I listened and guided them if and when they got stuck on a number but for the most part this activity went rather smoothly. I have only 2 or 3 kiddos that can count to 20 without help and another 12 or so that count anywhere from 13 to 19. The other 5 can usually get to 10 by themselves when counting rote but if I give them an activity they have to concentrate on while counting<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> i</span>t throws in a whole <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">new</span> dimension. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S</span>o there were a couple I needed to count with the during the whole process.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The great thing about an activity like this, is that it forces them to slow down and count. Unlike moving your finger down a row of teddy bears and counting heads (where kids tend to go a little to fast and skip a few bears along the way) this activity requires several steps for each number. This slows the pace a bit and gives them time to think about each number as they decide where to put the next heart on the paper.</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-67933718275546631212016-01-30T13:44:00.000-08:002016-01-30T14:04:08.734-08:00Valentine's PreK Style<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmvST_aoJPXOlSIfrpS8tJdu_Y8R9FZ1F47UpUV1LR2AuSfhvkw8OJuEATYn8wZRcGqQj1iRrWyrRlRw08rXZ1brGA1pd636gcQEppFj8gEwcqbECVBFYGMq8vKBll356L9C3GQ29ujQ/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmvST_aoJPXOlSIfrpS8tJdu_Y8R9FZ1F47UpUV1LR2AuSfhvkw8OJuEATYn8wZRcGqQj1iRrWyrRlRw08rXZ1brGA1pd636gcQEppFj8gEwcqbECVBFYGMq8vKBll356L9C3GQ29ujQ/s400/IMG_5296.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Valentine's Day gets closer I wanted to share some of my favorite games that I have created from extra Valentines I had laying around. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a habit of hitting the local dollar stores after holidays. When I find boxes of Valentines for 25 cents each, I have to get creative! (: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matching and sorting games are probably the easiest games to create from Valentines. Most boxes have 3 or 4 cards of the same design, so in one box of 24 cards you have anywhere from 8 to 12 matching pairs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh1YfJrwmLH09RrcbbsiP7hv8J1oEaziqjXOUPLcLBwz41XjffUR-E6J8rJ4GbhyphenhyphenlhQCV_Jrerakjq2jZVlEv4D6qIP5HRpyrJgkzcjTni2D4OZ-RnrlUMmvJc_66HxOVE53k9Q14JcE/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh1YfJrwmLH09RrcbbsiP7hv8J1oEaziqjXOUPLcLBwz41XjffUR-E6J8rJ4GbhyphenhyphenlhQCV_Jrerakjq2jZVlEv4D6qIP5HRpyrJgkzcjTni2D4OZ-RnrlUMmvJc_66HxOVE53k9Q14JcE/s640/IMG_5298.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I choose to laminate my cards so they will last for a few years. I also put them all in a handy pencil box to keep them together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We look for matching Valentine cards and we sort them by theme, such as Sponge Bob, Toy Story or Barbie. After we sort them we count how many we have in each pile and compare which ones we have the most or least of. There are so many great uses from these colorful cards. Sometimes the kids just like to sort through them and pick out their favorites. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hear</span> a lot of great conversations as the they start looking through them. </span></span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUvCadMUIhpHe5oT4x-Ikca5TO7X8Da9uAzCdzgIn2iKj2-k8lIBjrZlaFqacvJWVzASceG1Q0G5Hl17kpQgNBP65k6kAeKPme9r2wVvALKLIeOf1gVj7Kr0C0Ems2T8lluvwRjUA-2g/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUvCadMUIhpHe5oT4x-Ikca5TO7X8Da9uAzCdzgIn2iKj2-k8lIBjrZlaFqacvJWVzASceG1Q0G5Hl17kpQgNBP65k6kAeKPme9r2wVvALKLIeOf1gVj7Kr0C0Ems2T8lluvwRjUA-2g/s400/IMG_5286.JPG" width="400" /></a> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For those kids that have a hard time sitting down for your matching games try adding matching cards to large cubes or dice. The kiddos love rolling them to see if they can get a match. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These cubes were given to me many years ago by a fellow teacher. I love them because I can slide new things we are working on into the slots and use them over and over each year. You could also create something similar using small cardboard boxes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ask parents to save you their child's unused Valentines. I bet each child in your room has 6 or 8 Valentine's left in the box when they are done filling them out for their classmates.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Add blank ones to your writing center along with a class list and a word wall with Mom, Dad and Grandpa on them. They will enjoy writing their names on them and giving them to their friends, teachers and the school secretary or taking them home to their parents and siblings.</span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-69796823368546198602016-01-28T21:32:00.000-08:002016-01-28T21:45:20.581-08:00<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Block Play, PreK Style</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVgwTGcHz_415VQyOUFQQF56Lqwgaz-x8GZAZReay8o7AtxUveftZsjC9y-HjlZBCCypdbivdJ5lkTOFE5EuwL9p6LfEtnWHfOwEZmEfeTddY-d6iibd4BoGaClOImKSaHw9W2hrUA4w/s1600/20160115_102552+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVgwTGcHz_415VQyOUFQQF56Lqwgaz-x8GZAZReay8o7AtxUveftZsjC9y-HjlZBCCypdbivdJ5lkTOFE5EuwL9p6LfEtnWHfOwEZmEfeTddY-d6iibd4BoGaClOImKSaHw9W2hrUA4w/s400/20160115_102552+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a very creative group of children this year and would love to share some great pictures from the past few weeks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a rather large area for block play which I think is really important. I love that they can spread out and build without the confinements of a small space. Four children are allowed in this center at one time. Sometimes they work together to build and play. Sometimes they work alone. The two little girls who built this structure started out working separately, one with the cardboard blocks and one with the cups. As their structures got bigger they decided to merge them together and the result is this awesome castle!</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X7qvVKkki8S2hYvdtgcyS6wI48TfQdENdtkVF_okiE2q1uFgKani4AYp0-bVYKI1Y3Z1FqqdQfB8E4lNNdCG3N9UjxD9KBzMY-Ku2DoiogvCdnUblMtAxbs7w9luPkWymbRlT0P074o/s1600/20151202_102032_001+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X7qvVKkki8S2hYvdtgcyS6wI48TfQdENdtkVF_okiE2q1uFgKani4AYp0-bVYKI1Y3Z1FqqdQfB8E4lNNdCG3N9UjxD9KBzMY-Ku2DoiogvCdnUblMtAxbs7w9luPkWymbRlT0P074o/s320/20151202_102032_001+%25282%2529.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BlS-B3YwBtKgq375Pn9qAWn7ak-txA_z_25Q0LS44gadOH4pKYw2SDCrYpFPjkdJy9bANJigfIU5586Q-DW1iWrPVjBu91J7sEQgU7NWhJenVZPuVwZpmkA_eixhchPSmKvEMhosklE/s1600/20151202_103029+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BlS-B3YwBtKgq375Pn9qAWn7ak-txA_z_25Q0LS44gadOH4pKYw2SDCrYpFPjkdJy9bANJigfIU5586Q-DW1iWrPVjBu91J7sEQgU7NWhJenVZPuVwZpmkA_eixhchPSmKvEMhosklE/s320/20151202_103029+%25282%2529.jpg" width="204" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You often see non- traditional items in my block center
such as cardboard tubes, newspaper and tape; playing cards, cardboard boxes and these
great cups. As part of adding STEAM activities in the classroom, I love
to give kids "lose parts" to create with. It's hard to be
exceptionally creative with unit blocks that are basically one of about 10 shapes and all about the same size. So I love the variety of adding every day items that they may have in their homes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheYOSGq-BcgkGcIuWia0SGif8_CFW8ngA_1CkAmJqCpukyazYSNb3JRFBY38vXfbPAYd932Qv3upMbG3AFqwTEQIMy6Gvf__njFdOEzSv0L6PXsk9ZxxKpsDOnCUvd9pSeLuBIfFmekA/s1600/20151202_103256+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheYOSGq-BcgkGcIuWia0SGif8_CFW8ngA_1CkAmJqCpukyazYSNb3JRFBY38vXfbPAYd932Qv3upMbG3AFqwTEQIMy6Gvf__njFdOEzSv0L6PXsk9ZxxKpsDOnCUvd9pSeLuBIfFmekA/s320/20151202_103256+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzCCHRSQ3AtU7ipCbwPSonzyaa6h_xQJCvf_sBrz0_8I6LU_s-9i7yQe4DLFqk9P-dLREfjR05kqAyPOrbQ9BIuT6rDvl8RV7W2Tmt_VAQ_HE4DJJguDBHb6XzWf6mJnbVl8-cm00kGM/s1600/20151202_111801+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzCCHRSQ3AtU7ipCbwPSonzyaa6h_xQJCvf_sBrz0_8I6LU_s-9i7yQe4DLFqk9P-dLREfjR05kqAyPOrbQ9BIuT6rDvl8RV7W2Tmt_VAQ_HE4DJJguDBHb6XzWf6mJnbVl8-cm00kGM/s320/20151202_111801+%25282%2529.jpg" width="288" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Look at the wonderful organic shapes created in th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is </span>picture! And do you see the pattern of the clear and silver cups in the picture on the right? The cups are a couple of different sizes and several colors. Some of my kiddos like to build with just one or two colors others don't really care what color they use. The best part<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> of building with <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">plastic cups</span></span>... cups are cheap! Parents can donate them! and they stack nice and neat and don't take up a lot of storage room!! I added these cups after Thanksgiving and have had to throw away only 7 or 8 cups. The usual reason is someone tries to step over them and accidentally steps on one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also don't tell the children HOW to play with anything I add to the center. Often what I envision for materials is no where near what the kids come up wit<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">h!</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Disregard the blurry child in the middle of the next picture (It's hard to crop out something in the middle of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a</span> picture) but look at the great structure these 2 little boys created. The long brown pieces of wood are from a mini blind that I shortened up. I had like 15 pieces that I removed from the blind and you know I had to save them and add them to my block center! lol They make great roads and bridges. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDF-60V-YQ_TcxOeA98LNBKHSBhr5TaTZKRaZCh2XPYQHs092_i0_-iTJKKPxDRlLskJY3i2Ns2oJfkiaaF61Mws-kP3N4hmOFVfqSu51nWIayXSBC9bpaGyLb1Tqsyqb7fLEFnHqFQg/s1600/20160105_101036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDF-60V-YQ_TcxOeA98LNBKHSBhr5TaTZKRaZCh2XPYQHs092_i0_-iTJKKPxDRlLskJY3i2Ns2oJfkiaaF61Mws-kP3N4hmOFVfqSu51nWIayXSBC9bpaGyLb1Tqsyqb7fLEFnHqFQg/s640/20160105_101036.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I obviously give my kids the time they need to build. I try to warn them if clean up time is getting close so they can complete their creations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They also come and get me when they are finished building so I can take a picture. I try to make a big deal out of their work, by asking them questions and taking pictures. It's sometimes hard to teach preschoolers to respect each others work. I think taking pictures, and being genuinely interested in what they have done not only teaches the creators to be proud of their work but helps with the respect of the other kids. It's a proud teacher moment when the kiddos are proud of not only their own work but that of their peers. When a child comes running over to tell me I have to come see what another child has just made, makes it all worth while.</span> </span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-31220090287632105382016-01-28T10:36:00.000-08:002016-01-28T18:44:52.281-08:00Reading with Ringling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi1_9IWYfB_bWwj-OjjP4jSVIPCE2vvr48wuTcdaRZanobbSzTORDxVQ9yJY39FtvD3I9S7E-UWCZGcEWKh4Ox6kR6lFEAeBoVw7JFtCJIe2oEB2Pq-M8Poz9eDjJ-4ZxdHBiRZDOhqo/s1600/circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi1_9IWYfB_bWwj-OjjP4jSVIPCE2vvr48wuTcdaRZanobbSzTORDxVQ9yJY39FtvD3I9S7E-UWCZGcEWKh4Ox6kR6lFEAeBoVw7JFtCJIe2oEB2Pq-M8Poz9eDjJ-4ZxdHBiRZDOhqo/s320/circus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Free Circus Tickets!!</span><br />
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I found an article in the my local newspaper last week that I shared with my kids and their families and I thought you may like it too!<br />
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Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus has created a reading program that partners with your local public library.<br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.readingwithringling.com/">www.readingwithringling.com</a> for more information and a complete list of the libraries they are working with. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-11423785096453089692016-01-27T21:24:00.001-08:002016-02-10T21:23:49.909-08:00Valentine Exchange PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfcLNMM8xuzLUb0R43WbpPbZzwrpaq8IwZP_wHQ3QvPmg4l95KaolLJsdbJFPatRpqBobmwSGhq9UjBkX6NCvfN1FSw9r6hEMhSmmwiYc-rI479bJxDscxBQQ4dzQ8_3tMROB4P8zOWk/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfcLNMM8xuzLUb0R43WbpPbZzwrpaq8IwZP_wHQ3QvPmg4l95KaolLJsdbJFPatRpqBobmwSGhq9UjBkX6NCvfN1FSw9r6hEMhSmmwiYc-rI479bJxDscxBQQ4dzQ8_3tMROB4P8zOWk/s320/IMG_5290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Valentine Exchange</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>PreK Style </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2016</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> I have searched for the past week for a Valentine Exchange similar to the Gingerbread Exchange that works for my classroom. I have found a few that were for elementary age children or that limited the number of Valentine's you can receive to 12 or even less. I also found one that the entire class sent their Valentines to another class. But I really like the idea of sending our Valentines to classrooms all across the country. We love getting mail, and reading about other PreK classrooms.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> This is my first year organizing a Valentine Exchange so bare with me and we can work out any kinks together over the next couple of weeks. First let me tell you what you need to do to sign up and a few guidelines to follow after that. </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i>CLOSED FOR 2016!! CLOSED FOR 2016!! CLOSED FOR 2016!! CLOSED FOR 2016!!</i></u></span></span> </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> Send me an email at <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:PreKMyStyle@gmail.com">PreKMyStyle@gmail.com</a></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(if this link does not work, please cut and paste) </span> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Subject Line: Valentine Exchange</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Include your name & address: Cupid Child Development Center</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Attn: Mrs. Heart's PreK Class</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 123 Candy Lane </span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Loveland, NC 12345</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Also Let me know how many schools you would like to exchange Valentines with. If you do not give me a number I will default to 15.</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I will try my best to send you a list of names and addresses from a variety of states around the U.S. This will depend on how many schools I have to sign up and where they are. I will only accept schools within the United States at this time, due to postage costs and the time it takes to send mail outside of the country. If I have enough interest from international schools this may change for next year.</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I will send you a list of names and address by Friday, February 5th, 2016. </span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Prepare your Valentine's as you would like, using stickers, stamps, lace, markers, etc. Be creative!! Please include a brief note about your classroom and the community that your school is in. Also include a picture of your class if at all possible.</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Please mail your Valentine's by Tuesday, February 9th, 2016. I would think first class mail could be delivered about anywhere in the country in 3 or 4 days.</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Please share this blog with your friends through facebook, twitter, pinterest, etc. so we can successfully implement the Valentine Exchange. Let me know if I have missed anything... I am so excited to get this going!! Thank You all!!</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-75802909254526234782016-01-27T20:09:00.000-08:002016-01-30T11:05:45.348-08:002016 PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span></span>I have logged back on my blog for many reasons, most of which I will share with you in the days, weeks and months to come. I have missed sharing my thoughts & ideas, the great accomplishments and creativity of my kiddos and links to resources to help us all on our journey. A big thank you to each of you who continue to message me to return, sometimes I need the push! I am encouraged by the over 14,000 views of my blog and over 2000 pins of my original PreK, My Style Pinterest posts. Again, thank you all!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-31041690410807550282014-01-14T21:29:00.001-08:002014-01-14T21:34:36.073-08:00Snowman Math, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffAynlcJpDpqA6p2e4WHzAhvLcloa1Kl6JO6AEvvHZbuzN4k0Xy5I_1C2vdjYN67ybgpj52XmkOjga_cdPNVyZYC6O7S5PoKaxDk23c1wTZv-lY5WCs-T7G4FORS2lWgIfBTKfvn0LlM/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffAynlcJpDpqA6p2e4WHzAhvLcloa1Kl6JO6AEvvHZbuzN4k0Xy5I_1C2vdjYN67ybgpj52XmkOjga_cdPNVyZYC6O7S5PoKaxDk23c1wTZv-lY5WCs-T7G4FORS2lWgIfBTKfvn0LlM/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The kids had a great time with this project. First we compared the children's heights so everyone fully understood the concept of our activity.<br />
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Keywords and Concepts:<br />
Short<br />
Shorter<br />
Shortest<br />
Tall<br />
Taller<br />
Tallest<br />
Equal<br />
Same Size<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjIpY2MUh8b4p6xxUrLOHgmCCuIYZYVx-dH8jxZ69MOdDyvPE8CUro0o-TLNzCVHg-ToYzGexjACxCSo_K642WEH3Dk5V4HNf9CYJMbjf2jW9HXNSVLaMevoTr1RCXhkxzfEs9bmicHo/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjIpY2MUh8b4p6xxUrLOHgmCCuIYZYVx-dH8jxZ69MOdDyvPE8CUro0o-TLNzCVHg-ToYzGexjACxCSo_K642WEH3Dk5V4HNf9CYJMbjf2jW9HXNSVLaMevoTr1RCXhkxzfEs9bmicHo/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The kids took turns measuring and comparing their heights with their friends. I loved when one of them would look up several inches to a friend and with a flat hand on their head take it up to the top of their friends head and declare they were the same size or taller. When comparing others they could clearly see a height difference but when comparing themselves it was much harder for them.<br />
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~ When hanging up our snowman we made sure he was about the average height of the kids in our classroom to ensure that we could meet all three of our statements. This would not work as well if most of the kids were shorter or taller than the snowman.<br />
~ We also had to decide if we were measuring from top of his head or the top of his hat. We choose his head but we had to improvise with an outline of his head on the hat because we had glued on the hat and the kids couldn't figure out where the top of his head was.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlH0zkbsHkODwyFG6fjWwfyMMme6CiorEh52CZZazYEKsBVRIkim8tzLG9SwQJRzlSA6GO2n4scalhyOorzC1-XJ8oGi2oIrfTJP2tUlFOvUcwucXMuqSQC2s-tqMh5Urg88ydPGt2As/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlH0zkbsHkODwyFG6fjWwfyMMme6CiorEh52CZZazYEKsBVRIkim8tzLG9SwQJRzlSA6GO2n4scalhyOorzC1-XJ8oGi2oIrfTJP2tUlFOvUcwucXMuqSQC2s-tqMh5Urg88ydPGt2As/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Each of them decorated a snowman with markers before we added them to our door. This worked well for two reasons. First, it gave them each a way to personalize their snowman and make it their own. But it also gave us a way to break up the group of 18 kids so we could get them all measured and on the door in a somewhat orderly fashion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbaPsZNCFsu2T3YOIM4oDEd00wEzbeJjIsa0I7Yvt1VoIzThwLZqJJ7HDJhcvhJfDCW1uPOWAzM7KLvXv3bsbVSgqtZv-TuzUgcTquNAmvfvKGDQhvfFUIR2s1uVnK5pbc6l9grUjKds/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbaPsZNCFsu2T3YOIM4oDEd00wEzbeJjIsa0I7Yvt1VoIzThwLZqJJ7HDJhcvhJfDCW1uPOWAzM7KLvXv3bsbVSgqtZv-TuzUgcTquNAmvfvKGDQhvfFUIR2s1uVnK5pbc6l9grUjKds/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>As they finished with their snowman they brought it to me at the door and I had them guess if they were taller, shorter or the same size as our snowman. Then we measured. I helped them hold a ruler on the top of their heads and then they stepped away from the door to see where they measured. <br />
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This is displayed on the inside of our classroom door so the kids are proud to show their parents how tall they are compared to our snowman. (:<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-42959947318488733482014-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:002014-01-07T18:42:21.812-08:00It's Freezing, PreK Style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUa2ecSaaHxkWresHmDOedea5sF0u_T-JlxCRpThgrwcpXLEY_gTELgyOqtACDfT4hOzHBj3cVTQ_gZmQQAC7KsPcVvQq584UCvTIpj746j6bsbIidv5G3juGjjEci7h39iN4hc1KiA8/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUa2ecSaaHxkWresHmDOedea5sF0u_T-JlxCRpThgrwcpXLEY_gTELgyOqtACDfT4hOzHBj3cVTQ_gZmQQAC7KsPcVvQq584UCvTIpj746j6bsbIidv5G3juGjjEci7h39iN4hc1KiA8/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>What will happen to our cups of water if we put them outside tonight?<br />
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That was yesterday and it got down to 6 degrees last night... so let me show you what happened...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncaiiqd67EajjaB0-08vxOiit63lNajlTGttceaLGzL7WD4iGtR5ieRzydrVt7Be1N592SdQnNbVx2mQ7IrLtVgKO3MYfJ5Oz0I6CrpImDfCtq0p55le1uzAcUrwxloN9E4tc5S7yie4/s1600/IMG_2633+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncaiiqd67EajjaB0-08vxOiit63lNajlTGttceaLGzL7WD4iGtR5ieRzydrVt7Be1N592SdQnNbVx2mQ7IrLtVgKO3MYfJ5Oz0I6CrpImDfCtq0p55le1uzAcUrwxloN9E4tc5S7yie4/s1600/IMG_2633+-+Copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>The kids filled their cups with water, added a squirt of liquid watercolors and then we put them outside of our classroom door. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRIcJMs9QlV1vbm_DfzIQcdAZlOB8XGKbLrZBq5YvDA9HBIrgchznxypdMePeEpqSwyXHXA2IcFPdQdrEC0xY49JwBNllD7OggWNNnqGWEGnxFtQF3WBv83d5OXdPrLZxk0mjtR10TXg/s1600/IMG_2634+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRIcJMs9QlV1vbm_DfzIQcdAZlOB8XGKbLrZBq5YvDA9HBIrgchznxypdMePeEpqSwyXHXA2IcFPdQdrEC0xY49JwBNllD7OggWNNnqGWEGnxFtQF3WBv83d5OXdPrLZxk0mjtR10TXg/s1600/IMG_2634+-+Copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>We had a two hour delay this morning because of the cold weather and didn't get a chance to check these out until almost lunch time. It was below freezing all day so I didn't think that would matter a whole lot.. lol <br />
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I sent the kids out a few at a time to get their cups and see what happened to their water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrgoctvmgl3cmFsleqTsIsxZm1vemgOHsb8sNOUjrd3rPfg90F6q2qZjay7C6S253U_L3LM1WJtflnysUEpEU9vcEjIgyEQ_-KfBAtdZoVeTWVTqpT8m8EheXkR8h9drLx4zkp2w-aQI/s1600/IMG_2637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrgoctvmgl3cmFsleqTsIsxZm1vemgOHsb8sNOUjrd3rPfg90F6q2qZjay7C6S253U_L3LM1WJtflnysUEpEU9vcEjIgyEQ_-KfBAtdZoVeTWVTqpT8m8EheXkR8h9drLx4zkp2w-aQI/s1600/IMG_2637.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81lSCloT5jkR1IVHXJNfz37Cwx0OUMco7M9HpgbOHp5OtOzxeUY8im4It6cUKR7pRmW_3WqiwaXlpE-ff6E9_kO3KVBcR3rEqAB7KM1Z9bp_yMtVyfnYUQT9rCRDSOV4uWyTUj-pkcCM/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81lSCloT5jkR1IVHXJNfz37Cwx0OUMco7M9HpgbOHp5OtOzxeUY8im4It6cUKR7pRmW_3WqiwaXlpE-ff6E9_kO3KVBcR3rEqAB7KM1Z9bp_yMtVyfnYUQT9rCRDSOV4uWyTUj-pkcCM/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>The kids guessed correctly that they would find ice instead of water in their cups. They were mostly right but we found some other interesting things. The color (liquid watercolors) seemed to have separated from the water in the cups with the paint settling near the bottom of the cups. We could see the color through the ice but the tops were clear.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnyBZ0IuRhMXA0pLQY8TzTBuP1XSAPQ2s7GtBCR-qWwSfKREYomK-zqoLRXMLYfYjIjzIT6YL01csw9Ez9lsrML1jZIeokRY2EcO9gj7KTsah03rZFoGAC3TwmgUpCEQcDXslxLMqdV0/s1600/IMG_2638+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnyBZ0IuRhMXA0pLQY8TzTBuP1XSAPQ2s7GtBCR-qWwSfKREYomK-zqoLRXMLYfYjIjzIT6YL01csw9Ez9lsrML1jZIeokRY2EcO9gj7KTsah03rZFoGAC3TwmgUpCEQcDXslxLMqdV0/s1600/IMG_2638+-+Copy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We also found that not all of the water was frozen! As cold as it was outside for nearly 24 hours we still had liquid in some of the cups! Wonder why? Not really sure myself unless there is something in the paint like alcohol that keeps it from freezing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip22BojTSrzSgW0EX09r-gBc0gCYHpuT9UFoj8KQtnhETHFi8c0kxBylUYtw2HenemvTvon0GaVc06ivUVloqzPHOvEdKKF8BFBKXlYZHF60VWHB9YfwPn0NN_5dGbTwG17py5-2k6Kz4/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip22BojTSrzSgW0EX09r-gBc0gCYHpuT9UFoj8KQtnhETHFi8c0kxBylUYtw2HenemvTvon0GaVc06ivUVloqzPHOvEdKKF8BFBKXlYZHF60VWHB9YfwPn0NN_5dGbTwG17py5-2k6Kz4/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg5FgezfN2_MYGb9txrxIVLFSfdAm67x-ZQyqGxt8B_1FG77pL3qVZQStYrTYyYV6J-PWnpXbzzHwslljWWgSrdotwqrPlyCcm49hiuxLc2Lb38iTLyTDo-CeLmzpEjVajkwMeGq6ayE/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg5FgezfN2_MYGb9txrxIVLFSfdAm67x-ZQyqGxt8B_1FG77pL3qVZQStYrTYyYV6J-PWnpXbzzHwslljWWgSrdotwqrPlyCcm49hiuxLc2Lb38iTLyTDo-CeLmzpEjVajkwMeGq6ayE/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk37UAwOpWVILDXpG85ZFu770huhhKvcLsILkfemHN4qmhVTOMOnRUTBr2hjiayByEASNUnVIsKbz-_SMw0IEr23Lg7sfvIv5G-SX56MQA2FthQwCceebKyisV6cGkL0YYSXnGAWoDVc/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk37UAwOpWVILDXpG85ZFu770huhhKvcLsILkfemHN4qmhVTOMOnRUTBr2hjiayByEASNUnVIsKbz-_SMw0IEr23Lg7sfvIv5G-SX56MQA2FthQwCceebKyisV6cGkL0YYSXnGAWoDVc/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>They were all together against the building though there were some differences such as the amount of water and/or paint in each cup. The kids filled the cups by themselves so some were very full and others had little water in them.<br />
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The cups were in the shade the whole time and some were closer to the door than others. Did any of that make a difference? Really not sure about the why's but the kids had a great time exploring the ice and comparing how they were alike and different.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispby3VSe-LDPbRth19f__f10oiV_BTQfgsdNcf9UWEuzcfIT2HGoTMjdYnf5gY9wo0phWIVo-3aFQlbnXkeDeSbMEXa3EmOx_3QG4NTJvKW4KxeaKuZz7uufjMqXiWlXoPymdO_thOL8/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispby3VSe-LDPbRth19f__f10oiV_BTQfgsdNcf9UWEuzcfIT2HGoTMjdYnf5gY9wo0phWIVo-3aFQlbnXkeDeSbMEXa3EmOx_3QG4NTJvKW4KxeaKuZz7uufjMqXiWlXoPymdO_thOL8/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpbRVLlqzyQEVEqZA4Jz_tdYv46G_OycQdWK4TcDulR6kgJL7zSB1VUoM_PXDXK6AbfQFKnfNr-X1pOvhue0WOBAGVZFGAnXcYSaCZ_UNfEyGkz4fDIREHbHjoeVw7mfLv2qdidm6eKk/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpbRVLlqzyQEVEqZA4Jz_tdYv46G_OycQdWK4TcDulR6kgJL7zSB1VUoM_PXDXK6AbfQFKnfNr-X1pOvhue0WOBAGVZFGAnXcYSaCZ_UNfEyGkz4fDIREHbHjoeVw7mfLv2qdidm6eKk/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>They talked about how cold the ice was and thought it was really cool when someone turned one over and the colored water went all over the table. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcjorSaDbl-3L599XyMt2_S1f5LJD852Tv_N6VAp96-CFMVoKJ95TxnQFsY3VspnEHqvBpIcC7NoWm0TtK-THeu-FRV3Q9X1U1hwzbm54I6PfgVa3waKDgnjgvnDV9gxydWLkfWmBMq0/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcjorSaDbl-3L599XyMt2_S1f5LJD852Tv_N6VAp96-CFMVoKJ95TxnQFsY3VspnEHqvBpIcC7NoWm0TtK-THeu-FRV3Q9X1U1hwzbm54I6PfgVa3waKDgnjgvnDV9gxydWLkfWmBMq0/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I loved the designs in the ice and how the paint and the water separated. We had a few kids out today so we still have a few untouched and we put the others back in their cups and back outside without the water from the tables..lol We will look at them some more tomorrow and see what changes we have, if any. <br />
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It's suppose to stay below freezing again tonight and we are already on a two hour delay but we will make the most of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTF3bSASG4ea7HcAhV3-w2PRskvqD49883-_WMN0jaQ2xKikf0KWn5j5pqQ5uWijbJT5sR63vz1yWOZ30NJ1DzB9_1R_8G9FkAqVb2so0kbc2JnEfFChwsQQv7RSF-preIexuc29QGLM/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTF3bSASG4ea7HcAhV3-w2PRskvqD49883-_WMN0jaQ2xKikf0KWn5j5pqQ5uWijbJT5sR63vz1yWOZ30NJ1DzB9_1R_8G9FkAqVb2so0kbc2JnEfFChwsQQv7RSF-preIexuc29QGLM/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCELg8lamh8PVCs7YycHey0-jHrRaveL79goDmCFzQBK1LKvox1jql3Meq9qRza9AfJ6kJs6FVNUZZfREMQrA9DvJ3xEjTBo5neXqZnYNQy0_ke-tBFU2nE0U9Xz1RwN80CbrE7Iu-GXo/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCELg8lamh8PVCs7YycHey0-jHrRaveL79goDmCFzQBK1LKvox1jql3Meq9qRza9AfJ6kJs6FVNUZZfREMQrA9DvJ3xEjTBo5neXqZnYNQy0_ke-tBFU2nE0U9Xz1RwN80CbrE7Iu-GXo/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>We did add more conditioner to yesterday's snow dough and made a little more. This time it got put in a ziplock bag to help it stay soft and pliable. The kids (and the teachers) have really enjoyed playing with it. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-4602225284487111522014-01-06T17:44:00.002-08:002014-01-06T17:56:33.927-08:00Cold Winter Days PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s9kvQK1I4s7B9b-bvj8ESQnJdYw0xKdTdwL-9P5ekMthhM0ydBc0-7d647ppY8rk_Z_LLFpAN1WYg_sptYzc1tExChrMZPA8yokaVWAlqKDG-ghbNrLUsebpt1KtO1Npvk6iRE_jGMM/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s9kvQK1I4s7B9b-bvj8ESQnJdYw0xKdTdwL-9P5ekMthhM0ydBc0-7d647ppY8rk_Z_LLFpAN1WYg_sptYzc1tExChrMZPA8yokaVWAlqKDG-ghbNrLUsebpt1KtO1Npvk6iRE_jGMM/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b>What to do on a cold winter day?</b></i><br />
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We chose to embrace the cold and enjoy it for what it is and have a little fun if we were going to be stuck inside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYwktrjO9LEXp5Ml7lWYDL8nRfdhOADKW5DKFNJSdOauPKyiuQXfk379ti06-_14ubGZviIhmD9BuIO7y9vYlBFAFhv5jGIABjKeEvuVh-lZ1BnXXssZ6V5hnTZ-zSwvdLO2vJIT-zbg/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYwktrjO9LEXp5Ml7lWYDL8nRfdhOADKW5DKFNJSdOauPKyiuQXfk379ti06-_14ubGZviIhmD9BuIO7y9vYlBFAFhv5jGIABjKeEvuVh-lZ1BnXXssZ6V5hnTZ-zSwvdLO2vJIT-zbg/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Our first experiment of the day was SNOW DOUGH!! There are many recipes out there but I wanted something I didn't have to cook with few ingredients.<br />
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Bonus: I everything I needed on hand! So no impromptu stops at the grocery store or WalMart on the way to work this morning. (:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkahiGhTph3rLaZBspZyDjTMlOzBxc2tGDqdLRhnoKfxEdPw7Az1o_RTWm2JHWO4zxc5YFwefE2-8cxZKbVguEyrQSZa6PWQjDxaOG3L2ZuqgmAct35Utb-e8d4ZcU_jyaECzZYRxgoo/s1600/IMG_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkahiGhTph3rLaZBspZyDjTMlOzBxc2tGDqdLRhnoKfxEdPw7Az1o_RTWm2JHWO4zxc5YFwefE2-8cxZKbVguEyrQSZa6PWQjDxaOG3L2ZuqgmAct35Utb-e8d4ZcU_jyaECzZYRxgoo/s1600/IMG_2618.JPG" height="240" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
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SNOW DOUGH: <br />
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1 part Conditioner<br />
2 parts Corn Starch<br />
lots of sparkly glitter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2DMrwl_iNazm-c3QMkZPfO3nvnZ2NgFEhJFdQmbgWom_CXmlP1ikeNkZROv9sWVVGFm4epkPeDUa25WG2RiRDttmRA-kZFJlcNaMSumTQ_ro5OkDNS1t7jfALy7pGSy7a3smb8wFYlc/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2DMrwl_iNazm-c3QMkZPfO3nvnZ2NgFEhJFdQmbgWom_CXmlP1ikeNkZROv9sWVVGFm4epkPeDUa25WG2RiRDttmRA-kZFJlcNaMSumTQ_ro5OkDNS1t7jfALy7pGSy7a3smb8wFYlc/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I didn't get all technical about our recipe. We used Pantene because that's what I had. We also didn't use an actual measuring cup but a couple of empty playdough containers that was in our classroom cupboards. After we got it mixed up well, we had to add a little extra corn starch so it wasn't so sticky.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGU2Nhf4MtZ1Qso6my95ezjcef1M8dPhYT_6_-EgBexnOJyuC99Nw_5unnkAia49HagXiW7FlY_v_2rKTRoE-wKe9VkSnd6qp-td0HnkEwwSZlXFwxqztL1ab6Nph8rV3RVdgey2rmlc/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGU2Nhf4MtZ1Qso6my95ezjcef1M8dPhYT_6_-EgBexnOJyuC99Nw_5unnkAia49HagXiW7FlY_v_2rKTRoE-wKe9VkSnd6qp-td0HnkEwwSZlXFwxqztL1ab6Nph8rV3RVdgey2rmlc/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> If you have the choice I think the fine smaller particle glitter works best with this. We used silver :) This recipe makes the smoothest, softest dough ever, by the way. It also smells really good and made by hands really soft. <br />
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The teachers enjoyed playing with this as much as the kids did I think!<br />
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After an hour or so I think it was getting a little crumbly. I'm going to take in another bottle of conditioner in the morning and see if I can soften it back up. <br />
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Worked great with our rolling pins and cookie cutters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi5mD9GTPjKtD4_mklWxtWX9FhWZgxhNAIHnE3htRyFjRz2An5g5jwjBfK9UryFUltKivHXhc3hKI3kIp9lZyKa4X6aUIEPEarvHlB8f10Qcw1PCBuFN4CmFEKnUXagCNPR6g8LAZADs/s1600/IMG_2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi5mD9GTPjKtD4_mklWxtWX9FhWZgxhNAIHnE3htRyFjRz2An5g5jwjBfK9UryFUltKivHXhc3hKI3kIp9lZyKa4X6aUIEPEarvHlB8f10Qcw1PCBuFN4CmFEKnUXagCNPR6g8LAZADs/s1600/IMG_2626.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>We did make quite a mess on the floor and our carpet had some white footprints but it should clean up pretty easily. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehX-EaFA26_RiwCEypILAi3bMsBXi2wuZaw_bFlNRJwQSjywmB-uXQd5jpSt95RrEW0XDsgPr5X0YDMUFuShDtcKkO6jFubqshyqc3Jh6LHupy6QvTmy7Mg67H4YhNOizGjRNBohZRT4/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehX-EaFA26_RiwCEypILAi3bMsBXi2wuZaw_bFlNRJwQSjywmB-uXQd5jpSt95RrEW0XDsgPr5X0YDMUFuShDtcKkO6jFubqshyqc3Jh6LHupy6QvTmy7Mg67H4YhNOizGjRNBohZRT4/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><i><b>Want to know what else we did today????</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwuUx74E2aCh7LnjeXW33mjJscDRJAgKrtzRrrJLxqQaUPK5mwQoYCpCLe1ge2SvSL-zzVoOlZSimVvyZFwFlRVthCR2Me2IjUS5gGm6FiaEMvqkmBNGRp60pdRHZVYYthhzXN-k7P6I/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwuUx74E2aCh7LnjeXW33mjJscDRJAgKrtzRrrJLxqQaUPK5mwQoYCpCLe1ge2SvSL-zzVoOlZSimVvyZFwFlRVthCR2Me2IjUS5gGm6FiaEMvqkmBNGRp60pdRHZVYYthhzXN-k7P6I/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aTRP7yGFBViBGjeshccV9gpStp1rCNkQWqwmIEOgAsFKQj4nExY3sMkFTyWBCHVwGV3ZnHHH_NqkkJzvo_kE0LnT_1H8NhP8ya4H5bR0NfwCBbdLIXfBVt945p3yEPhbnqa6dyo4OaI/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aTRP7yGFBViBGjeshccV9gpStp1rCNkQWqwmIEOgAsFKQj4nExY3sMkFTyWBCHVwGV3ZnHHH_NqkkJzvo_kE0LnT_1H8NhP8ya4H5bR0NfwCBbdLIXfBVt945p3yEPhbnqa6dyo4OaI/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" height="150" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a>Well it's suppose to be like 5 degrees in the morning (school is actually now on a 2 hour delay so hopefully a little warmer than that by the time the kiddos get there) so we talked about what happens to water when it gets cold and snowmen when it gets warm.. you get the idea. And what would happen if we put cups of water outside tonight? So we did with some liquid watercolors of their choosing to spice it up a little... I also took a moment and talked to the kids about what could happen to our pets if they were left outside in this cold weather and how we should bring them in and make sure they are warm.<br />
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I'll post some more pics tomorrow and let you know what happened to our water... oh, and we are going to try blowing bubbles in the cold in the morning....wish us luck, prek style!! :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-29520055485472704662014-01-05T13:11:00.000-08:002014-01-05T13:14:51.096-08:00Literacy & Playdough PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Always looking for ways to add literacy to our learning centers.<br />
Preschoolers love playdough so why not add laminated letters, words and names along with alphabet cookie cutters to enhance their play.<br />
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Great fine motor skill activity as they roll out the playdough in long snakes. A pair of safety scissors and they can cut it as short as they want it.<br />
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I simply cut letters out of construction paper and placed the letters on a full sheet of paper then ran them through the laminator. You could just write the letters if you wanted to but I wanted the letters nice and wide. (:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-19334074119099994892013-11-24T16:49:00.002-08:002013-11-24T16:57:59.981-08:00Thankful Turkey PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I start talking with my class the first of November about being thankful. Before we learn about pilgrims, the Mayflower or Thanksgiving we explore the word 'thankful'.<br />
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There are a lot of great children's books out there about being thankful and we we read quite a few. (:<br />
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The first thing I ask the class is what does thankful mean. I get lots of guesses such as "When we say thank you" and "Thanks for giving me something". I like to take their answers and show them how they are correct by asking them open ended questions like "What are some things you say 'thank you' for"? or "What is something someone might give you"?<br />
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There is a cute book called <i>Thanks for Thanksgiving</i> by Julie Markes. It talks about lots of things big and small to be thankful for like turkey on the table, warm cozy cuddles, dress up clothes and big red hats.<br />
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Often times preschoolers think of toys and other tangible things when
asked what they are thankful for. I like to expand their thinking to include people, actions and ideas.<br />
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Every day for the month of November we go around the circle and each one of us says something we are thankful for. I try to encourage them to think of something different each day.<br />
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This activity came about the middle of the month. I made the turkey the kids provided the leaves and the words. We made lots of feathers for them to cut out and they were allowed to cut as many as they wanted with everyone required to make at least one. <br />
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Great practice cutting on curved lines as well. We used lots of fall colored scrapbook and construction paper. The thicker and thinner papers also helped those who were having trouble getting their scissors to work the way they wanted them to. (:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-81796276749985896112013-10-15T19:47:00.002-07:002013-10-15T19:52:35.754-07:00Apple Webbing, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXit0pqJhErVkHRI7rox50o-prNoTp76jOgXckQNeb469TxqFeYK0weGwpf-ysG_b42Xm0lJpHqPOJNBQ0O1Hy8-7JyayezHiWwgPbpsaDIJLHaFGj-Y_tuKkiSM7MarIcOzao0STIN3c/s1600/2013-09-24+02.00.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXit0pqJhErVkHRI7rox50o-prNoTp76jOgXckQNeb469TxqFeYK0weGwpf-ysG_b42Xm0lJpHqPOJNBQ0O1Hy8-7JyayezHiWwgPbpsaDIJLHaFGj-Y_tuKkiSM7MarIcOzao0STIN3c/s320/2013-09-24+02.00.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A quick K-W-L wrap-up of our apple study.<br />
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I gave each child a chance to tell me something they learned about apples during the week.<br />
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As you can tell I got some great responses and almost everyone had a unique answer. I did need to prompt a couple of them with questions such as "What do you know about apple trees?' and "Can you think of something we can make out of apples?"<br />
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This is always a great study as we always have an apple taste test and graph our responses of which apples each of us like the best. We also enjoy applesauce, apple pie, talk about Johnny Appleseed and take a walk to a small apple orchard that we have on campus. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-56063760467072447012013-10-12T12:46:00.000-07:002013-10-12T12:47:32.239-07:00Apple Patterning, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9ZtAzy9XBqXWi9KbrXMG1SKrixgUk0xa0SS8fb2EPBBf6zBVxWL5sqgtVPFWLk_yHG0-pJalTCHBXKu2_wYUdoaOHZ9ebhKdTnOdfirem6qtRp3FzcXGEnOCvedRosW6p-fKwxaTyk/s1600/2013-09-23+00.18.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9ZtAzy9XBqXWi9KbrXMG1SKrixgUk0xa0SS8fb2EPBBf6zBVxWL5sqgtVPFWLk_yHG0-pJalTCHBXKu2_wYUdoaOHZ9ebhKdTnOdfirem6qtRp3FzcXGEnOCvedRosW6p-fKwxaTyk/s320/2013-09-23+00.18.17.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
Preschoolers love painting in any form so when I got out the paint and sponges for this activity I had no problem getting volunteers.<br />
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Very simple patterning with apple shaped sponges and long strips of tag board. These sponges were actually kitchen sponges shaped like apples that I found many years ago at a thrift store. I also have a couple shaped like lemons for a little variation in the type of patterns we are doing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr27GD6kaQvTfFf2pqQXaQNyz55vrc6GSTj-NGASqQxncs-zmgRs_qmrhcLcWcbK_aJ9LEsdk79eLjr96JdAgJpEyDoObYDs17OZqL2rBsQSNnZ73LRSrTPaIaVgeaKheYn-LUD5ffwOc/s1600/2013-09-23+00.18.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr27GD6kaQvTfFf2pqQXaQNyz55vrc6GSTj-NGASqQxncs-zmgRs_qmrhcLcWcbK_aJ9LEsdk79eLjr96JdAgJpEyDoObYDs17OZqL2rBsQSNnZ73LRSrTPaIaVgeaKheYn-LUD5ffwOc/s320/2013-09-23+00.18.28.jpg" width="179" /></a>I let the children choose two of the three colors of apples to make their patterns with and put the paper lengthwise in front of each of them. I choose to do this activity one child at a time to ensure each child was successful and understood the concept of A-B patterns. Most were able to complete their pattern with very little help.<br />
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For a little challenge with those more advanced children you can use all three colors. A-B-C or an A-B-B pattern.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-31201356667785032852013-10-08T18:33:00.000-07:002013-10-08T18:43:54.006-07:00Scarecrows, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks for those of you who have been asking me for more blog posts. An unplanned quick trip out of town and time to take a few pictures put me a little behind but I have lots more to share with you. (:<br />
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Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year so hopefully you will find something your looking for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNiT_fgkLYPCw3GzUN9Dc8lx3Wgkm9vPYqAP1RH5P05zvkNeYH3aG8fKtkvA-D2so9IRfP3GcpCjkJgfAvyJuPBM1WEPbRIm4LzjxaFONzIwAlhKbAu43GAqVXz5oHfoB6rNNSEElnsY/s1600/2013-10-01+22.31.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNiT_fgkLYPCw3GzUN9Dc8lx3Wgkm9vPYqAP1RH5P05zvkNeYH3aG8fKtkvA-D2so9IRfP3GcpCjkJgfAvyJuPBM1WEPbRIm4LzjxaFONzIwAlhKbAu43GAqVXz5oHfoB6rNNSEElnsY/s320/2013-10-01+22.31.31.jpg" width="179" /></a>These were from our Scarecrow study last week. I found several different variations of these on Pinterest and came up with my own based on the supplies I had on hand. I suggest you do the same to save time and of course money.<br />
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We set this up in two stations. First I wrote the names of each of the kids on the bottom of a brown paper bag. This helps me keep track of who still needs to complete the activity, saves me the struggle of trying to write on the bottom of them after they are completed, plus trying to remember which one belongs to which kid. lol<br />
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At the first station each child chooses which shapes to use for cheeks and a nose and glues them on the bag. They also choose eye stickers and drew a mouth from one cheek to the other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR-jlAYeasLlTmDs9f7-ukPNblf3_a2122CdKoqucaQLe3dYv34qOHeu0AsOM19NoYejcVEDbiX_R3eCQzZBnLSjwShqQQs30qhf2x3Uzf0HKR7bkcZkJyrI1Ik5tvd21Iqjy2Mihi44/s1600/2013-10-01+22.31.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR-jlAYeasLlTmDs9f7-ukPNblf3_a2122CdKoqucaQLe3dYv34qOHeu0AsOM19NoYejcVEDbiX_R3eCQzZBnLSjwShqQQs30qhf2x3Uzf0HKR7bkcZkJyrI1Ik5tvd21Iqjy2Mihi44/s320/2013-10-01+22.31.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNS48V2Kv2fmBTiGGj4_cbR9tH8x7cuDYBP2rHAYYsPe05IHo0FQbknShU-ieJllStSKEWMy7oYHKVccO6ugRIVXh2DqIIYX9MfQd202qBwCqHb-AuKWyRbgm3KM-61oQ0uhMiMkF9f4E/s1600/2013-10-01+22.31.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNS48V2Kv2fmBTiGGj4_cbR9tH8x7cuDYBP2rHAYYsPe05IHo0FQbknShU-ieJllStSKEWMy7oYHKVccO6ugRIVXh2DqIIYX9MfQd202qBwCqHb-AuKWyRbgm3KM-61oQ0uhMiMkF9f4E/s320/2013-10-01+22.31.50.jpg" width="320" /></a>Giving the foam shapes just a couple minutes to dry they were called a few at a time to the second station to complete their scarecrows. I had previously unwound about twenty feet of twisted paper cord and cut it in about 8" pieces and instructed them to cut the paper lengthwise to make the scarecrows hair. Since the hair doesn't need to be precise by any means I gathered what each of them had cut and stapled it across the top of their bags. This is a great cutting activity for those children who are struggling with controlling the scissors. The paper cuts easy and it's okay if the cuts are crooked or jagged. While the kids cut their "hair" I wadded up one full sheet of newspaper and pushed it down into each of their bags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu2k9HvPCzNbIJYICRM5zW0pPqNUrG5_0UBz06YCLvecAmqBWuRtCxGzUnDwj-6NSS4NC3tpKxZtYrSsHLnwM8JUXQDY4uGL5ICRbbZtRBGhL5hhx3BZzzAJY_duyNFksE6ddL7Yv4BU/s1600/2013-10-01+22.31.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu2k9HvPCzNbIJYICRM5zW0pPqNUrG5_0UBz06YCLvecAmqBWuRtCxGzUnDwj-6NSS4NC3tpKxZtYrSsHLnwM8JUXQDY4uGL5ICRbbZtRBGhL5hhx3BZzzAJY_duyNFksE6ddL7Yv4BU/s320/2013-10-01+22.31.21.jpg" width="320" /></a>It all gets stapled shut with a coffee filter hat on top and the kids get to finish them off with sticky flower foam shapes for their hats. I later added the string so we could display them for our upcoming fall festival (:<br />
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Great project, the kids loved them. We talked about basic shapes as went along. Our bags were rectangles, eyes and hats were circles and they choose from squares, triangles and circles for the rest of the facial features.<br />
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A couple of things I may do different next year: The coffee filters made great hats but next time they will get a little color. Watercolors in nice fall colors will look great on them. We could make our hats a day or two before so they are dry the day we make our scarecrows. The other is to fill the bags with shredded newspapers. Mainly because tearing paper would have been a great fine motor activity for some of my kiddos. Instead of doing this individually I could let the children tear (or cut) paper during the week so it would be ready to grab a handful when we needed it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-25225896368790769992013-09-22T14:12:00.002-07:002013-09-22T14:12:30.788-07:00Halloween Spider Web Game, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SC4IkoBzU2sFnbKpMkolHn8EYw_uOgfFfc46u9aBmJs7hwQS26cKYmL_upWjSVQPc7Y85vwppjfNYMko_EQd9Z5Sd3YchaJ6lEFOUuHDg8Q8K6TKJ1kjlfIU7aw77qbH9yf0x8bw9Pw/s1600/0761571105007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SC4IkoBzU2sFnbKpMkolHn8EYw_uOgfFfc46u9aBmJs7hwQS26cKYmL_upWjSVQPc7Y85vwppjfNYMko_EQd9Z5Sd3YchaJ6lEFOUuHDg8Q8K6TKJ1kjlfIU7aw77qbH9yf0x8bw9Pw/s320/0761571105007a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This game can be a little challenging for some of your preschoolers but after a few minutes most children pick it up and really have fun with it.<br />
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First have your class sit in a large circle and cross their legs and explain the importance of holding on to the yarn when it is tossed to them and not letting go until our web is complete.<br />
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Start making your spider web by holding the end of the ball of of yarn and tossing it across the circle to someone you believe will follow the directions. I suggest at this point you call out each name the yarn is to be tossed to next. This will ensure each child is getting a turn and can control the shape and pattern your spider web is taking. Well, as much as possible with a group of preschoolers. lol<br />
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Go around your circle as long as the children are engaged or you run out of yarn. I try to start with a full skein of yarn rolled into a ball if possible and we get most of the way through it before something happens.<br />
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Our game usually ends when somebody gets bored or silly and lets go... but most things end that way don't they?? (:<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-53478241133718124442013-09-21T12:08:00.001-07:002013-09-21T12:09:32.100-07:00DIY Fall Halloween Stampers, PreK Style<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrL0Mq7IY8raB0t14-eTHzxB7dW1TUJJOOf1VBpLvfEBP3_qBdUd6v9fBUpWEPrrvpIdurWoGBcJFgT66u1SIPDdwgz09hMfaLE1I9tsDcttO4PmbWCr7Rh1Ya6VvbgUogLsxFLPt5-o/s1600/0761568828007b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrL0Mq7IY8raB0t14-eTHzxB7dW1TUJJOOf1VBpLvfEBP3_qBdUd6v9fBUpWEPrrvpIdurWoGBcJFgT66u1SIPDdwgz09hMfaLE1I9tsDcttO4PmbWCr7Rh1Ya6VvbgUogLsxFLPt5-o/s320/0761568828007b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just the right size for little hands and large enough to keep most of the fingers out of the ink pad.<br />
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Made out of foam blocks from the classroom block center and holiday foam stickers. Again, easy to make and fairly cheap materials that most of us already have on hand.<br />
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The key to making these stampers is to use two of the same stickers stacked one on top of the other on the bottom of the block. Using two stickers makes it just tall enough to work really well. I have stacked three a couple of times, it just depends on the thickness of the stickers. You can find great packs of the foam stickers around the holidays that have a variety of shapes so you can make lots of different stampers.<br />
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I have also cut my own simple shapes out of sheets of scrap foam such as triangles, circles, squares, hearts for Valentine's day, pumpkins, apples, etc.<br />
If you choose to do this just keep in mind that you need to stack them.<br />
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If you don't have foam blocks available to mount the stickers on you could use wooden blocks, scrap pieces of wood or even small cans of food such as tomato paste to mount them on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrhZkpsQEGWZYeLCvHuSDvhSTkVeoArcx4Dk3xrbZROPrW1kkO8Vn85MA_DPokxztoB7qhM7gInHzpkYm72HC4DwT34D-lFp3jArxW8YCzbjeyuI4H8-dI6ZR22E2M5wOmR8ALcNHejs/s1600/0761568828007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrhZkpsQEGWZYeLCvHuSDvhSTkVeoArcx4Dk3xrbZROPrW1kkO8Vn85MA_DPokxztoB7qhM7gInHzpkYm72HC4DwT34D-lFp3jArxW8YCzbjeyuI4H8-dI6ZR22E2M5wOmR8ALcNHejs/s320/0761568828007a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!<br />
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Happy Stamping!<br />
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(:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-74177759252537749132013-09-20T20:32:00.001-07:002013-09-20T20:46:48.717-07:00Dinosaur Fossils, PreK Style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAicBBITTY1rNeYsKmj8WS6gO9G3BAqwazvEZv0vp37cfD3UrfD0GpLj-eP3BT6DrJn_9Ua733wYZkJSSsoNueMSkIC7mwQCcQloRmpLhOtAnJFtFsy6l9wDMOLfhzjT3yddNXjY1eQ8/s1600/0761560951007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAicBBITTY1rNeYsKmj8WS6gO9G3BAqwazvEZv0vp37cfD3UrfD0GpLj-eP3BT6DrJn_9Ua733wYZkJSSsoNueMSkIC7mwQCcQloRmpLhOtAnJFtFsy6l9wDMOLfhzjT3yddNXjY1eQ8/s320/0761560951007.jpg" width="320" /></a>Making fossils is always a fun way to wrap up your dinosaur study. These are very easy and you probably have everything you need on hand.<br />
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<b>Playdough:</b><br />
Enough to cover 1/2" on the bottom of disposable bowls x the numbers of students you are working with.<br />
<b>Plaster of Paris:</b> You will need about 3/4" on top of playdough for each fossil.<br />
<b>Disposable bowls</b><br />
<b>A variety of small plastic dinosaurs</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MM2izMiXh-zoFuyaJpcdlVm4j8oEEMH94xrM3gl00wF1HoDmsLUnCaFR9oeGC8mYc900reDJd6s9-Or7Wxyd-vWD4eAaPJdt-bF49L70Eax2sMoXQOvwjlrQJkFHUIfUtggRyhnKuxc/s1600/0761560955007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MM2izMiXh-zoFuyaJpcdlVm4j8oEEMH94xrM3gl00wF1HoDmsLUnCaFR9oeGC8mYc900reDJd6s9-Or7Wxyd-vWD4eAaPJdt-bF49L70Eax2sMoXQOvwjlrQJkFHUIfUtggRyhnKuxc/s320/0761560955007a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I put names on each bowl before I even start the activity. (1 thing I don't have to worry about later).<br />
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Working with a small group of 3 or 4 children, give them each a handful of playdough pushing it down flat on the table. Then put it in the bowl making sure it is pressed to the bottom. I usually then flip them over and make sure it covers the bottom so it is a nice smooth surface on top.<br />
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Now let each child choose a dinosaur to make a fossil of and help them put the dinosaur on its side and push it into the clay to form a good impression. Slowly pull the dinosaur up to make sure it worked. <br />
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After these are ready, mix enough plaster of paris to pour on top of the playdough or wait until all of them are done and make up one large batch. I like to do it in small batches so the kids can help me mix it and pour it. Make sure to follow the dry mix to water ratio so it sits up correctly.<br />
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The plaster of paris says it dries to the touch in thirty minutes. I always let ours sit over night to make sure they are completely dry before sending them home.<br />
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Don't forget to write names on them as you take them out of the bowls so you don't get them mixed up.<br />
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When you are ready, carefully turn them over, they should pop right out. The playdough should peel right off as well. If you have tiny pieces of playdough in cracks and crevices you may need a soft bristle brush to clean them, but it is usually not a problem.<br />
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Of course you can use this same process with sea shells or other small objects...<br />
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Have a great weekend!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-19788266177425212842013-09-19T19:06:00.001-07:002013-09-19T19:08:41.733-07:00Daily Sign-In, PreK Style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAki7yAToC3Lt5U1ltaiHtWgMGT2WhYIryl8nPNHyrKXV4TnPB2pyGqbihALqo2-HG1u3KRb1TUWl-r5mBZI2iWlSOdAwR_XScYbdgdUF0ujr0Aj8T0ObMZi2AJ7rNEBcvUFv-UkwAf0/s1600/2013-09-03+19.27.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAki7yAToC3Lt5U1ltaiHtWgMGT2WhYIryl8nPNHyrKXV4TnPB2pyGqbihALqo2-HG1u3KRb1TUWl-r5mBZI2iWlSOdAwR_XScYbdgdUF0ujr0Aj8T0ObMZi2AJ7rNEBcvUFv-UkwAf0/s320/2013-09-03+19.27.52.jpg" width="320" /></a>I like to keep track of who is in the room during the day and with a quick glance this board will let me know. I use laminated name plates for durability and because they are so easy to clean off with a magic eraser if I need to change something.<br />
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The beginning of the year is all about name recognition. If your class or individual children are having trouble with this you can add a small picture of the child or a symbol (see High Scope Curriculum) next to the child's name to help with this skill.<br />
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Children are taught to use these name cards to help write their names or other children's names. If they need help remembering how to spell their names or want to write a friends name in their writing journal they get the card and take it back to the table where they are writing. When they are finished they return the card to it's proper place.<br />
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As children leave for the day, their names are taken off the board. <br />
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After Christmas, children use their name cards to help them write their names on a sign-in sheet. More on this process later... (:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-60456083525302533442013-09-18T18:22:00.000-07:002013-09-18T18:23:29.249-07:00Great Teacher Gifts <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJfmHY4wnrGxRqLTQkJK1i6T13cOv3ZjgywwQvzxfpWTvsjnG7LgbjyeHnFvFQHcKBYeVzEuGs5CMVEVznjSYtO05QqfIdxZSOCv_1SvFp4BOpQ6jD3mUsl3OjqlNvH_y2obeRCh2hQY/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJfmHY4wnrGxRqLTQkJK1i6T13cOv3ZjgywwQvzxfpWTvsjnG7LgbjyeHnFvFQHcKBYeVzEuGs5CMVEVznjSYtO05QqfIdxZSOCv_1SvFp4BOpQ6jD3mUsl3OjqlNvH_y2obeRCh2hQY/s320/IMG_1592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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How many coffee mugs and "Number One Teacher" plaques and magnets can we possibly use?<br />
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This was a favorite gift from one of my kids last year. The large part of the pencil is a mailing tube, painted with silver and pink on the end to resemble the eraser part. A Styrofoam cone is glued on the end and painted to resemble the sharpened end of the pencil. The best part? It was filled with chocolate!! <br />
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I received this for Christmas last year and the candy lasted throughout the rest of the school year. (:<br />
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Another gift we receive a lot of is candles. I know many teachers love candles but due to allergies I can't use them unless they are unscented. Of course, this does make my fellow teachers happy when I give them mine (:<br />
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Great gifts for me would be cute holiday dish towels or snowmen Christmas ornaments are great. As well as notepads, post-its and gel pens. I love cute office supplies! Costume jewelry is okay as well, like little pumpkin pins or Easter bunny themed bracelets.<br />
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And you can never go wrong with live plants or boxes of candy! (:<br />
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What are some of your favorite teacher gifts?<br />
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How about things you would rather not receive? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-92008644777140648022013-09-17T15:55:00.001-07:002013-09-17T15:55:15.356-07:00DIY Dance Ribbons, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk5DD1SAzysPjxXKCyyY4ajB29C0Chawk0CGGLFJQrwAS4VlwUk_UXapf5XfV0PriAaeejq-w6Zyib2iIGN30QE-7xRnTBPPA3zLp0iYSOFRDdTMdk-3KrjlUWBMqm_g_gzaELJLqqe0/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk5DD1SAzysPjxXKCyyY4ajB29C0Chawk0CGGLFJQrwAS4VlwUk_UXapf5XfV0PriAaeejq-w6Zyib2iIGN30QE-7xRnTBPPA3zLp0iYSOFRDdTMdk-3KrjlUWBMqm_g_gzaELJLqqe0/s320/IMG_1594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Simple and inexpensive to make, these dance ribbons will last much longer than any you buy from a school supply store. Dollar store rubber/glitter bracelets and surveyor's tape is all that is needed to make these music props. I think the bracelets were packaged 5 for a dollar and the surveyor's tape I already had on hand but I did a search at Walmart.com and found rolls of 200 feet for less than $3.00 a roll. So you can make 10 of these for about $5.00. The "ribbon" is light weight and vinyl so it works really well even when cut fairly long and doesn't fray on the ends like traditional ribbon. The tape comes in many different bright colors so you can make them different colors or layer several colors on each one. They are very durable, I made these last year and they are still in good shape. Each ribbon is cut to about 3' but this can be very easily changed to fit your needs.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-78940464786691081922013-09-16T17:17:00.001-07:002013-09-16T17:20:52.997-07:00Meaningful Calendar Math, PreK Style<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ND46OAmxYvVQ0oZgryZD7THc0iFaIei2ItCWdzdKIjLJudkL7teKUp1mEP2fokIL7fhgs4eGuPtqegzGfYxqXhYfu0tg3usojwN1BDiBq0D2CJanmn1ofgxYx4FNQT0u71AF4VaCc8/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ND46OAmxYvVQ0oZgryZD7THc0iFaIei2ItCWdzdKIjLJudkL7teKUp1mEP2fokIL7fhgs4eGuPtqegzGfYxqXhYfu0tg3usojwN1BDiBq0D2CJanmn1ofgxYx4FNQT0u71AF4VaCc8/s320/IMG_1585.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JETjTEuzUMm2F_3MupILjCr_VFRZcdPBNyWlpMrDXBAEsGeZ3_l2dkOf3ffMthVqbSA21UynfJY54XPnXMxu1PRu3jmpDqta77h6vA1e3FquuLwXp5p3lUsAs_X_LbWy9_oP2zy00RI/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JETjTEuzUMm2F_3MupILjCr_VFRZcdPBNyWlpMrDXBAEsGeZ3_l2dkOf3ffMthVqbSA21UynfJY54XPnXMxu1PRu3jmpDqta77h6vA1e3FquuLwXp5p3lUsAs_X_LbWy9_oP2zy00RI/s320/IMG_1584.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lovin' our new Piggy Bank! We are working on one-to-one correspondence in relationship to our monthly calendar. We use real pennies and Velcro to attach them to our laminated piggy. This activity helps children draw that connection between the number and the amount of items that corresponds to it. For instance, on the 13th of the month we have 13 pennies in the piggy bank. First we figure out what the next number on our calendar is and then count our pennies to make to sure it is the same amount. Adding one each day except Mondays where we need to add three so they will stay equal. Then of course "check your math" by recounting the pennies and then looking at the calendar to see if it is showing the same number. I have seen children counting the pennies during center time and then moving to the calendar and pointing to the correct number. "See it's 13!" Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-10460505390089248562013-09-15T18:15:00.001-07:002013-09-15T18:17:05.188-07:00Rhyming Ball, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYSBLW-iuEF5oOsE6RV8BaIc_VtLJNDyMBK1fwQIfgCMk7LZMUwEx2oRr-obT-EJrCKQeDathajSV5qnf9UmldG5MbZtnMWSaQcyrNm1WAUsc4OhxXFnUeSaM_5Sv-Hb8dX2zJ7ZB1sg/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYSBLW-iuEF5oOsE6RV8BaIc_VtLJNDyMBK1fwQIfgCMk7LZMUwEx2oRr-obT-EJrCKQeDathajSV5qnf9UmldG5MbZtnMWSaQcyrNm1WAUsc4OhxXFnUeSaM_5Sv-Hb8dX2zJ7ZB1sg/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Rhyming can be challenging for preschoolers so I use whatever methods I can to teach them the new concept. Turning a beach ball into a rhyming game definitely gets their attention and is always a lot of fun.<br />
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We start off by tossing the ball around the circle and trying to catch it. This will help them get that need to hit the ball hard when it comes toward them out of the way. (:<br />
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Then we're ready to rhyme!<br />
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I start by showing the kids each of the pictures and letting them tell me what they are. I want to make sure they are familiar with each word/picture before we start trying to rhyme. I want them to each be successful with this activity, so we also think of a couple of rhyming words as a group as we look at each picture.<br />
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Now it's time to start the game. I start by looking at a picture, reading the word and then a rhyming word. For example:<br />
"house, mouse"<br />
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...then toss the ball to one of the kids. I choose someone I know will be successful and call their name as I toss it so everyone will know who is suppose to catch the ball and hopefully avoid ten kids jumping for the ball at the same time. (: Also, if they are successful then it will help to reinforce how the game is suppose to work and keep it moving in the right direction. I like to play this until each of the children have had at least one turn but will go as long as the kids are having fun and grasping the concept. If you have a particularly energetic class you can move this game outside to the playground as well. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-91486104878389984712013-09-13T18:36:00.000-07:002013-09-13T18:37:01.161-07:00PreK Word Books ~ Word Wall Alternative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have very little wall space available in my classroom to make a functional word wall. I wanted something on the children's eye level that they can interact with, add new words to and easily read the words that are on it. To meet these requirements I believe you need to have pictures next to the words for preschoolers, which takes up even more space.<br />
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So this year I decided to start making word books.<br />
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I originally thought of the traditional laminated pages to make our books, but then ran across some small dollar store picture albums that I already had on hand.<br />
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Homework bags brought in all of the material to make our book so all I had to do was add the pictures and items to index cards then label each one before inserting it into the photo page.<br />
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Our class homework each Wednesday is based on a letter or our theme. Children are to bring in items to share with the class that start with a certain letter. These items can be drawn, cut from magazines, pictures or actual items. So for the letter R this week we had a wide variety of items including stuffed rabbits, red race cars, rocks, rice and lots more. I always send all of the items back home (taking pictures of items as needed), but keep artwork and magazine pictures to make our books.<br />
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These are so much better than word walls for my preschoolers because they can search through the books until they find the word they want to write, open the book right beside their paper on the table and begin copying the word. This method is much easier than with the words on the wall, which is often no where near a table.<br />
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The kids also like the fact that these are the pictures they brought to school. Having ownership in the project will give them some encouragement to share their pictures with their classmates.<br />
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Word books can of course can be used in your classroom library as well, but I really like them in the writing center. As we get more made I may put some of them in a basket and move them to the library. The kids could still get them out of the basket and take them to the table to write.<br />
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Lots of possibilities... (:Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13668927298590489238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433765663274068045.post-21057222388891287832013-09-12T18:38:00.001-07:002013-09-13T17:30:06.869-07:00Writing Journals, PreK Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Preschoolers love to write. They imitate mom writing a
grocery list, their teachers writing on the white board and their big
brothers and sisters doing their homework. I think you should take
advantage of this and give them every opportunity to practice this new
found skill. I give each child in my class a notebook with their name on it "Sarah's
Writing Journal" and provide them with a variety of writing
instruments:<br />
* Crayons<br />
* Markers (Fat & Skinny)<br />
* Ink Pens (Variety of colors & styles)<br />
* Colored Pencils * Regular Pencils<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXrT832gFmtQzBB9ge8pGkNjJXA-ywhxef4ISPhZJ9M9cub13aV2cch0HC5JZBfQ6EyGsD7t7MvMXk1RJ0ks_g7mCk9cQruCappL_YQv0B2fp0x3VMCEVKOOt44pSGIIJgMyUzVx18Oc/s1600/100_4134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXrT832gFmtQzBB9ge8pGkNjJXA-ywhxef4ISPhZJ9M9cub13aV2cch0HC5JZBfQ6EyGsD7t7MvMXk1RJ0ks_g7mCk9cQruCappL_YQv0B2fp0x3VMCEVKOOt44pSGIIJgMyUzVx18Oc/s200/100_4134.JPG" width="200" /></a> Now provide them with things to write. Name cards, labelled flash cards such as the ones in the picture, magazines, books or word wall words are all great places for kids to find words to write.<br />
Once again those note cards and post it notes I keep around the
classroom are good to jot down any word a child is wanting to know how
to spell. Then let him/her keep the card in their journal or cubbie in
case they want to write it again. <br />
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I leave journals out in the writing center every day. Sometimes I provide writing prompts but mostly they are for the kids to use anytime they want to during center time. I also try to teach the children the difference between drawing and writing so the book doesn't get filled with pictures and very few attempts at writing letters and words, though illustrating a story is definitely allowed. <br />
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