This week’s Flashback Friday has a superhero flair to it with so many sweet children (now teenagers!) pictured: MAKING TSHIRT CAPES in 2012. I definitely want to do this project again!
we made capes out of tshirts:
and while there was a lot of teacher help needed, cutting fabric was a fun thing to work on.
thanks to the thrift shop and families bringing old shirts, we had more than enough for everyone.
then we went flying (after making a cloud for the background…also in honor of c week):
We had four cameras going strong today to document the next group’s Watermelon Play Day. Read on to find out more including the answer to why 3/4 of the class was wrong today!
What did most of us get wrong on the graph? 8 of us thought there would be black seeds in the watermelon and 4 of us thought there wouldn’t be. Mr Petr cut the watermelon open and there wasn’t a single black seed! We changed the graph at the end of the day making 12 marks on the “no seed” side.
How many bells did Ms Kristin ring at Circle Time? FIVE! Red for the inside of the watermelon, green for the outside, white for the part closest to the rind and the seeds, black and brown for the seeds and the dirt.
What did we eat and where did we eat today? After Circle Time, we washed our hands and ate special cookies inside for Owen’s birthday! After cutting open the watermelon outside, we ate as much of that as we wanted anywhere we wanted to. Mr Petr took the rinds home for Ginger the pig.
Who had their very first day of preschool today? One friend’s little brother! Play Days are only for last year’s students and any siblings enrolled in next year. The oldest friend will go to Kindergarten in fall so it is special that they can be at preschool together this month. He fit right in and “seems like a regular preschooler.”
What watermelon song did we sing during our parade walk to the gate?Down by the Bay! (if you click the link you can see Raffi singing this song live with children). We had play time outside with watermelon, exploring the wheat growing in the hay bales, climbing on the muddy hill, exploring a hole and kicking a ball that looked like a watermelon! The neighborhood lunch program starts at 11:30, so we stuck together until our grownups arrived.
It was our first Play Day of the summer. This is when our preschoolers from last year enroll to come for extra time at preschool. It was so fun to see our friends back after over a month away. While I’m disappointed that my phone’s camera was wonky so I have fewer photos than I thought I took, there are questions and answers to find out more. Thanks to Mr Petr, there are more photos added to the end of this post!
What month did we have no preschool at all? June! At Circle Time we looked at the spinning months of the year wheel and talked about how we missed June completely!
What did you play with in the classroom? Even though our Play Days are only an hour and a half, we made time to just PLAY in the classroom. One friend said they found the toys they had missed for so long!
We had 2 colors of play dough to make watermelon sculptures as well.
One friend mixed play dough to make seeds. So realistic!
What did you eat for snack? Grandma Bonnie had helpers to prep the trays with watermelon pieces and saltines. There was a request for ranch which we were happy to provide despite the lack of typical dipping items. We took our snack outside, played, chased bubbles, waved to the neighbors and thanked Mr Clark for mowing the whole yard (it’s a huge job!).
Can people or animals eat the watermelon you took home? No! It’s just paper, tape and glue! Children glued red tissue paper squares to half circles and added green tape as rind to make watermelon decorations.
What are the jokes about in the song from today? A goose kissing a moose, a bear combing their hair, llamas eating pajamas, a fly wearing a tie and a whale with a polka dot tail! This favorite joke song has the word watermelon in it over and over: Down by the bay…
Given the incredible heat we’re having in Kansas right now, I thought a visit back in time to a week of IGLOO WORK in 2010 would be fun. When one does the math, you can find out that these sweet preschoolers are on the cusp or have just arrived at adulthood…and I was in my thirties!
we continued our h week discussion of houses into i week with an exploration of igloos.
with white paint on a low table, the children finger hand painted (is the limit ever given to paint only with one’s fingers in finger painting?). then we made prints on igloo shaped paper.
when the table is scratched, the prints look like the lines of an igloo. the table is also a good place for letter writing.
we also glued white paper ice blocks on igloo paper and igloo shaped paper on big paper. really, some days i will but almost any shape to get kids engaged. i love the challenge.
This post is part of a series responding to some of the most frequently asked questions. I am grateful for the opportunity to share responses that reflect the culture and values of New Creation Preschool. -Ms Kristin
One of the most frequently asked questions is: Can my child bring toys to preschool?
Many families are surprised to hear that they answer is a hearty YES.
Yes. Your child can bring a special toy/lovey/blanket/etc and there will not be an expectation for them to share it. Our experience is that a tangible item can make the transition from home to preschool more enjoyable and foster conversation between peers. Read on to find out what else they can bring!
Look at these friends ready to go with all their things.
What To Bring To Preschool
BACKPACK: A backpack or bag of some sort can be a helpful tool in transporting items back and forth between home and preschool but is not required. If you bring one, please label it with your child’s name.
FAMILY PHOTOS: Please consider sending family photos with your child. These will primarily be kept in their School Boxes and used to foster the home-school connection. How many pictures you provide will vary based on your family structure: some children have multiple homes/caregivers and as one of our favorite books is entitled, we know that “a family is a family is a family.”
WATER BOTTLE: Due to ongoing pandemic precautions and moving a lot of our learning outdoors, we like to have each child use their own water bottle (they seem to enjoy this connection to home/independence as well!). If your child brings one, these are sent home at the end of each session. If your child does not come with their own, they are given a disposable water bottle to use.
BREAKFAST/EXTRA SNACKS FROM HOME: It is not unusual for children to not have finished (or started!) breakfast before preschool. It is absolutely appropriate for your child to bring their own food to eat during the morning. Teachers will help them find a place at a table or they can choose to eat it while sitting in their cubby if they like.
EASY SHOES and CLOTHES: Consider sending your child in outfits and shoes that can easily be taken on and off. We allow children to go barefoot as they like and lace free shoes foster independence. Bathroom work can also be facilitated by clothing they can navigate quickly and successfully.
EXTRA CLOTHES: It is not unusual for otherwise bathroom independent children to have accidents in a new place (along with other spills, messes, etc). We have a stash of extra clothes or you can send a change of clothing with your child. If you bring extra clothes, plan to leave them in your child’s backpack and we’ll access them as we need to. A note is sent home anytime we’ve assisted in changing clothes.
WIPES/DIAPERS/PULL-UPS: It is not unusual for preschoolers to attend preschool in diapers and Pull-Ups. We are intentional about teaching children that diapers and wipes are not “just for babies” and that people of all ages use them. Please let us know about any bathroom supplies your child uses. If you choose, you can send them along from home or preschool can provide supplies. As mentioned earlier, we will send a note home anytime we’ve assisted in bathroom work.
SHOW AND TELL: Once we begin to have Show and Tell as a regular part of our routine (Ms Kristin will send an email), your child can bring something to put in the basket every time they come. We are familiar with some children choosing something from the classroom to show and tell about, bringing the same thing every time, or taking off their shoes to put in the basket, etc. No obligation- just an opportunity!
SAFE SNACKS IF YOUR CHILD HAS FOOD ALLERGIES/SENSITIVITIES: If your child has food allergies/sensitivities, please provide non-perishable safe snacks that we can keep on hand for them. Safe Snacks are labeled with your child’s name and served only to them.
SUNSCREEN/BUG SPRAY: Apply sunscreen and bug spray as you see necessary. We do not have authority to apply or reapply during preschool.
FORMS: The state of Kansas requires each child to have on file a Medical Record, Immunization Record, Health Assessment and Emergency Release Form. All of these are available on our website or from Kristin.
QUESTIONS and OPEN HEARTS: Some of the most important work we do at New Creation Preschool is supporting families in this time of transition. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. If you would like assistance in separating from your child (it’s quite common), let me know. We are comfortable caring for children in distress and will stay in close communication with you. There is no question too small, silly or unnecessary. Ask anything, anytime! We are here to be a safe space for all feelings
Show and Tell in action…look at the full basket behind Ms Kristin!
newcreationpreschool.com 