Purple and Circles

Today we had fun during group time learning about the color purple and the shape of a circle.  The children participated in sitting for circle time and doing a craft.

The kiddos each picked a purple object out of the treasure box and held on to it for the duration of circle time.

 Having some fun feeding the purple dinosaur!!

 

We watched a "Storybots" video.

During craft we mixed purple paint, cut out circles and stamped purple circles  

 PURPLE CIRCLE ART!!!

Welcome to School 2016-2017

Welcome to School

We are all super excited to be back in the classrooms! Welcome back to our returning children and a big welcome to our new kiddos. We can't wait to get to know you all. Our theme for the month of September is "Welcome to School". The classrooms are fully stocked with  "Welcome to School" themed activities, games and toys and were going to have a lot of fun learning with them.

 

 

We have an oversized Mr. Potato Head felt board set up in one the classrooms.  The children can build Mr. Potato Head while learning a number of school readiness skills (e.g., identifying body parts, colors, shapes, numeracy, turn taking, etc.) 

 



 

We also set up giant building blocks!! The kiddos can work on building with their peers. With every activity there are numerous ways to target a variety of skills while playing (e.g., colors, numeracy, imitation, prepositions, communication, sharing, ending a preferred activity,  communication, etc.)

 



We made a cardboard school bus for the children to play in!! The children can take turns pretending to drive the bus as well as  pretend to be a passenger. We will be practicing the classic "Wheels on the Bus" song, with actions, along with many more fun songs.

 

 

We often utilize song visuals to encourage participation (e.g. choosing what to sing next).  

 

 

We set up a mini classroom, so the children can play school! They can take turns pretending to be a teacher as well as being a student and sitting for a circle time.

 



Each month we put extra emphasis on one color and this month that color is PURPLE!  The children's name tags are purple, we will do lots of purple crafts, and we have a purple rice tactile table and a purple paper tactile bin set up.

Purple Rice Tactile Bin

The children can find toys hidden in the rice and have fun filling and pouring the rice.

 

 Purple Paper Tactile Bin

 

The children can identify purple materials in the tactile bin and have fun ripping and squishing the paper.

 

Purple Play Dough Centre

 

We also focus on a particular shape each month and this month were focusing on the shape of a circle.  Today we had fun coloring and painting purple circles. We explored different coloring tools (e.g. markers, pencil crayons, crayons, and paint brushes) and experimented with different kinds of mark making (e.g. scribbles, lines, dots, etc.). We also learned how to mix red and blue paint to make purple paint.

 Purple Circle ART!!!

 



 

 

 

Back to School!

Happy September! Another school year has begun and we couldn't be more excited. A big welcome back to all the returning kids and a huge hello to all the new ones! The classrooms have been restocked with new toys, games and activities.

The colour this month is PURPLE and the shape is a CIRCLE

 Let's get ready for school! In the Tree Room, there are various activities that give children the opportunity to practice making their lunches and packing their lunch bags. As well, there is a dress-up center with coats and backpacks. 

 

Once the children are ready for school, they can ride or drive the school bus to the pretend classroom!

 

In the pretend classroom, the children have the opportunity to be the teacher and teach the class. Or they could be one of  the students and sit for circle time.

 

 

Another fun addition to the classroom is the life sized Mr. Potato Head! Children have the opportunity to learn about body parts, work on requesting, they could dress Mr. Potato Head up with a peer and practice turn taking.

 

 

The tactile tables are usually a big hit with our kiddos. This month, we have a search and find tactile table filled with shredded paper and different school supplies.

 

 

 

 

 



 

Tuesday Outing: Lloyd's Roller Rink

This afternoon we went to Lloyd's to try out roller skating and roller blading! Like everyone who has every tried roller skating, it is a very different sensation. Some of the kids really enjoy putting on the skates and moving around the rink. However, some found it quite difficult and didn't really enjoy it.  All the kids had an opportunity to try out skating and then they are able to remove their skates and run around or dance to the music. Some preferred to play with the activities(i.e. colouring, playdough, puzzles, etc.) we brought along after they have tried roller skating. Overall it was a fun afternoon :)

 

 

Sikome Lake

Happy Friday!

Today we went to Sikome Lake. We lucked out and had a sunny day! Finally all the rain has stopped. The water was a little cold but that didn't stop the kids from splashing around.

We had a great day filled with making sandcastles, swimming in the water, playing on the park, having lunch and eating popsicles :)

 

 

 

 

Bugs, Bugs and more Bugs

Bugs was the topic of learning group this week!

One of the songs we sang this week was Bee Hive:

Here is the beehive (make fist)
Where are all the bees?
Hidden away where nobody can see
Watch as the come out of their
hive -
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (show fingers)
They're alive!
BZZZZZZ (Wiggle fingers)

As a fun circle time activity we made bugs out of playdough. Some groups made them together, taking turns adding legs and eyes. While other groups made them individually.

       



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For craft we made bumblebees:



 

Last Week's Adventures: Camping and Calaway Park

Can you believe July is over?! I feel like I am always saying this but honestly the summer is flying by. Last week our theme for learning groups was camping! Check out some of the fun things we did:

Storytime books included either Fred and Ted Go Camping by: Peter Eastman OR

Maisy Goes Camping by: Lucy Cousins

 

Craft: We made camp fires with real sticks that we found outside and red and yellow tissue paper

 

Gym: Played a classic camping game of ring toss as well we tried some camping inspired yoga poses

 

Our big outing last week was to Calaway Park on Friday! It was a fantastic day - the weather cooperated with us and the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Some of the groups even made it on the log ride! Thanks to all that came out and helped make it a successful day :)