Santa is...

We are learning about adjectives! Or, if you ask your child, describing words: )

Our preschoolers came up with their own list to describe what they think of Santa:

 There were a couple of them that argued saying fat was not very nice! 

One of the kids said that if he was not fat then his belly would not shake with jelly.

We then started our Santa face, which lead to the discussion of everything they wanted to ask Santa for. It is truly a magical time of year through a child's eye.

 

Construction Zone

SLOW down to take a look at our little WORKERS!

Painting our Dump Trucks

Building with playdough and popsicle sticks

Off to work

Construction Zone Block Center

Break Time

Doing a Little Boogie on the Job

As you can see we were very busy! Our Construction day unit was followed up with a show of Bob the Builder. The foreman for this job is wiped out. Check back in tomorrow for our Baker's Day.

To Serve and Protect

The kids are really loving our Community Helpers unit! Karol asked me this morning, "Who do we get to be today?" I told her a clue was at her table and this is what she found:

A Police Officer "catching" a robber. I used this for cutting practice, but it would also be good for tracing.

Once they all figured out we were going to do "police work" they began a conversation that led to "bad guys" and action heroes. It was just too cute! After our morning meeting we sat down at the Car Carpet to watch the show Calliou the Police Officer (click here to see the video). It was a great way to open a new discussion about ways Police Officers can help us and not just catch the "bad guys".

For our lesson I made a list of how Police Officers help us. The kids answered things like helping us across the street, being a signal when the lights do not work and as someone safe to go to for help. I also incorporated some Stranger Danger awareness. Baylee and Devynn performed a short skit as a stranger trying to lure a kid walking home from school alone into a car.  Baylee (the stranger) asked Devynn (the kid) to help her find her puppy. We then discussed all the things the kids  should and should not do in this situation. The students also pointed out all the right things Devynn did.

The Skit

I followed up with reading this book, Stay Away from Strangers and reminding them to call 911

We made Police badges:

And made a Finger Print safety card (parents you are encouraged to complete the information on this card and keep it with your child's vital records):

Our morning recess was welcomed after such a busy start! My oldest daughter Baylee is an enthusiast

volleyball player. She was excited the kids wanted to learn some basic skills. They all took turns bumping the ball back and forth. 

It was then back to the grind with reading groups and centers.

Kinder Prep group reviewing the Mm chant we learned last week.

Their job was to fill in the missing M's and trace all other m's.

More Mm sorting

Kids working on M for marshmallow.

More 911 dialing practice. I promise I keep stressing this is ONLY for emergencies!

Reading some of the literature I introduced earlier in class.

Since I have been doing most of the blogs during nap time we have not finished all of today's activities. Later we are doing a blue collage and looking at our fingerprints with a magnifying glass. The older girls are also going to attempt to teach the kids how to play Clue Jr.  I will try to remember to add those pictures later!

***** Thank you Maggie for sending in boxes today! *****

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Day 2 of Community Helpers was focused on Doctors and Nurses.  Since many of the kids in this group are not here on Mondays we did a short introduction to Who are the People in your Neighborhood from Sesame Street circa 1977. There were several versions of this song on You Tube with Bob McGrath and the kids were absolutely transfixed. 

Community Helper puzzle match at centers today

Afterwards we began our lesson on Doctors and Nurses. The kids were all eager to share their own experiences, many of them recalling when they get shots at the doctor's office. I explained how doctor's help us when we are sick and help us from getting sick. Nurses have an important job too by checking our temperatures, weight and often they are the  ones that administer the dreadful needle into the arm or thigh. 

While browsing for ideas on this lesson I found this super fun doctors bag on preschooleducation.com. I was so excited for the kids to make their own doctor's bags today!

The outside of their bag

Inside their bags: q-tips, cottonball, band aid, gauze, "medicine" (we discussed that medicine is not CANDY!), tongue  and a compressor

Joey making his bag

Ellie and Trent gluing pieces onto their bag with Devynn's help

Finishing up the inside

When we were finished making the bags all the kids were able to dress up as doctors/ nurses. I set a Hospital (using the sign we learned about from last week's lesson) and even had nap mats out for gurnies. I think this was their favorite part! They all got into the role and did a great job making everyone "better".

DBP Staff

Had to take ...

just a few pictures...

so at least everyone is looking at the camera in 1!

 The Desert Blossoms Hospital:

Break room where Dr. Trynnity and Dr. Athena are busy matching all the medical cards.

We had some more Mm work mixed into to today's lessons. Here is our M sort of uppercase and lowercase M's.

 And making our M is for marshmallows. YUM! We had to set some aside for snack too.  It was another busy day. Can not wait for our adventures tomorrow!