Lesson Plans 12/9/13 - 12/13/13

Songs: Falling Leaves
           Old Mac Donald

Sensory: Water Beads

Monday
Book: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Leaf Print Painting

Wednesday

Book: Al Pha's Bet
Circle: Letter Game
Art: Letter Print Painting

Friday

Book: The Cat Barked?
Circle: Pattern Game
Art: Wallpaper Art

Lesson Plans 12/2/13 - 12/6/13

Songs: The Ants Go Marching
           I Had a Little Turtle

Sensory: Dyed Rice

Monday
Book: The Dog and The Bone
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Cookie Cutter Painting

Wednesday

Book: The Ant and The Grasshopper
Circle: Bug Bug Under the Rug
Art: Marble Painting

Friday

Book: The Tortoise and The Eagle
Circle: Discussion - What's your wish?
Art: Car Painting

Notes:

We will not be following our snack menu for December. We will be trying out some new snacks to see if the children like them. Snacks will still be all natural.

Our Winter Party is fast approaching! It will be Wednesday 12/18 at 10:30. Families and friends welcome!

Wednesday 12/18 will be our last class day before our winter break. Class will resume in January.

Lesson Plans 11/18/13 - 11/22/13

Songs: One Two Buckle My Shoe
            10 Little Sheep

Sensory: Sponges

Monday
Book: Ones and Twos by Marthe and Nell Jocelyn
Circle: Measuring Weight
Art: Bubble Wrap Painting

Wednesday
Book: Russel the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Circle: Number Game
Art: Straw Blowing Art

Friday
Field Trip to Jamba Juice

We need drivers for our field trip. Please let us know if you can help us out. Thanks!

Lesson Plans 11/13/13 - 11/15/13

Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider
           Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Sensory: Cloud Dough

Monday 11/11/13 No class - Veteran's Day

Wednesday
Book: The Emperor's New Clothes
Circle: Making Cloud Dough*
Art: November Gift

Friday
Book: The Little Engine That Could
Circle: How much do you weigh?
Art: November Gift

* Cloud Dough is easy to make and a great consistency. You can make it at home too! 1 c of cornstarch, 1/2 c dish soap and 2 tsp vegetable oil. Add oil to soap and then stir mixture into the cornstarch. Stir until everything is mixed through, then take it out and knead until a ball forms. Kneading is very important. Stirring alone will not mix everything well enough. Store in an airtight container when not in use.

We are going on a field trip to Jamba Juice on Friday 11/22 and we need drivers. Please let us know if you are available to help out!

Lesson Plans 11/4/13 - 11/8/13

Songs: Please Stand Up
           The More We Get Together

Sensory: Playdough

Monday
Book: Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Circle: Make Playdough
Art: Lemon Painting

Wednesday

Book: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Circle: Activity - What do you love?
Art: Heart Painting

Friday

Book: Eggnapped by Marisa Montes
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Paper Bag Puppets

Reminders:

Parent Teacher Conferences are being held this week.

The Book Fair has been extended until Friday so you have a few more days to purchase books if you would like to. https://p3996.myubam.com/31152

No Class Monday 11/11

Field Trip to Jamba Juice Friday 11/22 - Please let us know if you would be willing to drive and how many children you can take.

No Class 11/25 - 11/29

Basil the Bunny

Basil the Bunny came by today and was much loved by all. Special thanks to Emerson and her mom Kim for bringing Basil in. The children loved getting to pet Basil, feed him lettuce, and watch him hop around the room.

Lesson Plans 10/28/13 - 11/1/13

Songs: 5 Little Apples
           See the Little Rabbit

Sensory: Packing Peanuts

Monday
Book: Curious George Apple Harvest by Lynne Polvino
Circle: Apple Tasting
Art: October Gift

Wednesday

Book: It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler
Circle: Guest - Basil the Bunny
Art: Bunny Collages

Friday

Book: Is Your Mama a Llama by Deborah Guarino
Circle: Hangman (Sounding out words)
Art: Watercolors

As an inclusive and secular preschool, we don't do holidays, including Halloween. We ask that candy and costumes stay at home. There are several (admittedly boring) reasons we don't allow costumes in the classroom. Some small children are upset by or scared of costumes, especially masks and face painting. Costumes can restrict movement and be unsafe on the playground. We cannot guarantee costumes will be clean and intact at the end of the day. For your entertainment, here is another reason we do not allow costumes in the classroom: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

Parent Teacher Conferences will be offered 11/4, 11/6 and 11/8 Look for the sign up sheet in the classroom. Conferences are optional and are about 15 minutes each.

Please pay for November through the parks office no later than Thursday 10/31

See the Little Rabbit

See the little rabbit go, hop, hop, hop.
See her ears go flop, flop, flop.
See her eyes go blink, blink, blink.
See her nose goes twink, twink, twink.
See her white coat, so soft and furry.
See her run - away in a hurry!

5 Little Apples

Way up high, in an apple tree (raise hands over head)
Five little apples smiled at me (smile)
So I shook that tree as hard as I could (pretend to shake tree)
Down came an apple, Mmm, it was good (Rub tummy)

Repeat

Lesson Plans 10/21/13 - 10/25/13

Songs: Put Your Finger on Your Knee
           Old MacDonald

Sensory: Shaving Cream

Monday
Book: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Circle: Letter Game
Art: Yarn Art

Wednesday

Book: Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers
Circle: Bug Bug Under the Rug
Art: Roller Painting

Friday

Book: Pumpkin Day Pumpkin Night by Anne Rockwell
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Pumpkin Paintings

Our book fair is up and running! If you would like to order books, please go to:
https://p3996.myubam.com/31152

The book fair will run from now through Monday 11/4
Books may be shipped to the class for free or you may pay for shipping and have them sent directly to your home. It will take approximately two weeks from when the book fair ends for the books to arrive.

Lesson Plans 10/16/13 - 10/18/13

Songs: What Will You Do Now?
           The More We Get Together

Sensory: Ice Melting
             Water with eye droppers and sponges

Monday
No school - Columbus Day

Wednesday
Book: Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schafer
Circle: What Starts With __?
Art: Masks

Friday
Book: It's Okay To Be Different
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: October Gift

Lesson Plans 10/7/13 - 10/11/13

Songs: Falling Leaves
           Animals Song

Sensory: Water Beads

Monday
Book: The Giant Jam Sandwich By: John Vernon Lord
Circle: Animal Game
Art: Yarn Painting

Wednesday

Book: Happy Birthday, Danny and the Dinosaur By: Syd Hoff
Circle: What's In The Bag?
Art: Dinosaur Paintings

Friday

Book: Picture Perfect? By: Students of Fletcher Walker Elementary
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: People Collages
Other: Ribbon Dancing

Animals Song

Tune: “The Farmer In The Dell”

The cow lives on the farm,

The cow lives on the farm,
Heigh-ho, oh we know,
The cow lives on the farm.

(Repeat with other animals)

Falling Leaves

Tune: "London Bridges Falling Down"
 
Pretty leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Pretty leaves are falling down, all over town.

Some are orange and some are brown, some are brown, some are brown.
Some are orange and some are brown, all over town.

Some are yellow and some are red, some are red, some are red.
Some are yellow and some are red, all over town.

Lesson Plans 9/30/13 - 10/4/13

Songs: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
           All the Leaves are Falling Down

Sensory: Oats

Monday
Book: Curious George Says Thank You
Circle: Discussion: Who do you want to thank?
Art: Cards

Wednesday

Book: Fall is for Friends by Suzy Spafford
Circle: Science Experiment: How to wash away germs
Art: Leaves

Friday

Book: Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Circle: Math: How tall are you?*
Art: Collage

* I know we have done this fairly recently but the children were asking to do it again. They have been measuring themselves against the tree on the wall and comparing and contrasting their height with the tree's height. So we will take advantage of their interest and build on their knowledge.

Lesson Plans 9/22/13 - 9/26/13

Songs: Opposites
           The Hokey Pokey

Sensory: Fabric Scraps and Critters

Monday
Book: I Can Write! By: Theo LeSieg and Roy McKie
Circle: Rhyming Game
Art: Q tip Painting

Wednesday

Book: Inside, Outside, Upside Down By: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Circle: Opposites Game
Art: September Gift

Friday

Book: Chocolate Chippo Hippo By: Vincent Andriani
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Foil Art

Opposites Song

If I say ”stop,” you say … “go”
If I say “fast,” you say … “slow”
If I say “yes,” you say … “no”
If I say “above,” you say … “below”

If I say ”big,” you say … “small”
If I say “short,” you say … “tall”
If I say “spring,” you say … “fall”
If I say “none,” you say… “all”

Lesson Plans 9/16/13 - 9/20/13

Songs: Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
           What Will You Do Now?

Sensory: Sensory Bags

Monday
Book: B is for Bear
Circle: What Doesn't Belong?
Art: Cookie Cutter Painting
We will be celebrating our September birthdays with a special snack.

Wednesday

Book: Lost
Circle: Patterns
Art: Puffy Paint

Friday

Book: I Can Help
Circle: Guess the Object
Art: September Gift

Lesson Plans 9/9/13 - 9/13/13

Lesson Plans 9/9/13 - 9/13/13

Songs: B-I-N-G-O
           Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Sensory: Play dough

Monday
Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Circle: Letter Game
Art: Chalk Letters

Wednesday
Book: Draw Me a Star
Circle: Pattern Game
Art: Make drums

Friday
Book: Science Fair Day
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Sponge Painting

Science Day

Please join us for our first ever Science Day!
Stay posted for more information.

Lesson Plans 9/4/13 - 9/6/13

Songs: Who Sits Next to You?
           Illy Ally Oh

Sensory: Playdough

Monday
Labor Day - no class

Wednesday
Book: First Day Jitters
Circle: Making Playdough
Art: Puffy Paint
Outside: Nature Walk

Friday
Book: Mouse's First Day of School
Circle: Dice Game
Art: Nature Collage

Lesson Plans 8/26/13 - 8/28/13

Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider

           Open Shut Them

Sensory: Water and sponges

Monday

Class Party 10:30 - 12:00 Families welcome!

Wednesday

Book: My Many Colored Days

Circle: Science Experiment

Art: Lego Painting

Please sign up for September by Wednesday 8/28

You can bring a check made out to PVRPD to Kristin, 

You can call 482-1996 and pay by credit card, or

You can go to the park office at 1605 E. Burnley St

September class starts on Wednesday 9/4 (Monday 9/2 is Labor Day)

We will be resuming our school year schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-12

Lesson Plans 8/19/13 - 8/21/13

Songs: We're Flying to the Moon
           If You're Happy and You Know It

Sensory: Water Beads

Monday
Book: Space Boy by Leo Landry
Circle: How Tall Are You?
Art: Planets

Wednesday
Book: Astro Bunnies by Christine Loomis
Circle: I Spy
Art: Rocket Ships

Note: We may be going to the library on Wednesday if there is enough interest.
We are switching snacks this week, for convenience in case we do go on the field trip.
We will serve hummus and pita on Monday, and fruit on Wednesday.

We're Flying to the Moon

To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”

We’re flying to the moon,

We’re flying to the moon,

Hi ho away we go,

We’re flying to the moon.

We’re landing on the moon,

We’re landing on the moon,

Hi ho away we go,

We’re landing on the moon.

We’re walking on the moon,

We’re walking on the moon,

Hi ho away we go,

We’re walking on the moon.

We’re flying back to Earth,

We’re flying back to Earth,

Hi ho away we go,

We’re flying back to Earth.

We’re landing on the Earth,

We’re landing on the Earth,

Hi ho away we go,

We’re landing on the Earth.

Lesson Plans 8/12/13 - 8/14/13

Songs: Illy Ally Oh
           Who Sits Next to You?

Sensory: Shaving Cream - the children had so much fun with this last week, we decided to do it again!

Monday
Book: The Spiffiest Giant in Town By Julia Donaldson
Circle: Discussion – How Can You Help Others?
           Game – What’s Missing?

Art: Masks

Wednesday

Book: Even If I Did Something Awful by Barbara Shook Hazen

Circle: Science Experiment: What is the best way to clean pennies

Art: August Gift

Lesson Plans 8/5/13 - 8/7/13

Songs: Old MacDonald
           The More We Get Together

Monday
Book: Dog's Colorful Spots by Emma Dodd
Circle: Bug Bug Under the Rug
Art: Dot Dog Painting

Wednesday
Field Trip to Camarillo Library*
Book: If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Q tip Painting

*We still need one or two parents to walk with us to the library. Thanks!

Lesson Plans 7/29/13 - 7/31/13

Songs: I'm a Little Robot
           Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

Sensory: Shredded Paper

Monday
Book: Doug Unplugged
Circle: Science Experiment: What is Magnetic?
Art: Make your own robot

Wednesday
Book: Robots Everywhere
Circle: What Doesn't Belong?
Art: Shape Collage

I'm a Little Robot

(to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little robot, short and strong.
Here are my handles, just turn me on.
When I get all warmed up, watch me go,
Sometimes fast and sometimes slow

Lesson Plans 7/22/13 - 7/24/13

Songs: Please Stand Up
           Put Your Finger on Your Knee

Sensory: Toilet Paper Dough

Monday
Book: Olivia and the Fairy Princess
Circle: Making Toilet Paper Dough
Art: Chalk Art

Wednesday
Book: The Very Quiet Cricket
Circle: My favorite letters
Art: Macaroni Art

Lesson Plans 7/15/13 - 7/17/13

Songs: 10 Little Monsters
           If You're Happy and You Know It

Sensory: Fabric Scraps

Monday
Book: Glad Monster, Sad Monster
Circle: Graph - What Colors Are You Wearing?
Art: Monster Puppets

Wednesday
Book: Where the Wild Things Are
Circle: Dice Game
Art: July Gift

Note: Please bring in a water bottle for your child to use on the yard. Thanks!

Lesson Plans and Reminders

Songs: Baby Bumble Bee
            ABCs

Sensory: Bubbles

Monday
Book: Where's My Mom by Julia Donaldson
Circle: What Starts With ___?
Art: Puffy Paint

Wednesday: Summer Party 10:30 - 12:00

Important Reminders:
Wednesday 6/26 is our last class day in June.
Our July class starts on Monday 7/8
July and August are both MW only. We will resume our MWF schedule in September.
You can register for July in person at the park office on the corner of Carmen and Burnley or by calling (805) 482-1996. Please register by no later than 7/5.
We are tentatively planning a field trip on Wednesday 7/10 if we can get 2-3 parents to come along.
This will be a walking field trip to the Camarillo Library for a special presentation.

Lesson Plans 6/17/13 - 6/21/13

Songs: 5 Little Monkeys
           The More We Get Together

Sensory: Packing Peanuts (made from potato starch, not styrofoam)

Monday
Book: Duck Soup By: Jackie Urbanovic
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Soup Art

Wednesday

Book: The Very Quiet Cricket By: Eric Carle
Circle: Which one is not like the other?
Art: Painting Quiet Crickets

Friday

Book: Little Pea By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Utensil Painting



Our last class day in June is Wednesday 6/26 and we will be having our Summer Party at 10:30
Our first class day in July is Monday 7/8 July and August will only be MW instead of MWF

The More We Get Together

The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be

5 Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys
jumping on the bed.
One fell off
and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys
jumping on the bed.
One fell off
and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Repeat for all five monkeys.

Lesson Plans 6/10/13 - 6/14/13

Songs: Row Row Row Your Boat
           Open Shut Them

Sensory: Cloud Dough

Monday
Book: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: June Gift

Wednesday

Book: Duck Rabbit by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Circle: Guess the Object
Art: Duck Rabbit Painting

Friday

Book: Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Painting with Chopsticks

Lesson Plans 6/3/13 - 6/7/13

Songs: Tell me who sits next to you
            10 Little Pirates

Sensory: Water Beads

Monday
Book: Archie and the Pirates
Circle: Dice Game
Art: Pirate Ships

Wednesday
Book: Olive's Pirate Party

Circle: Bug Bug Under the Rug

Art: Pirate Flags

Friday

Book: Edward and the Pirates

Circle: Science Experiment

Art: Pirate Hats

Lesson Plans 5/29/13 - 5/31/13

Songs: Illy Ally Oh
           If You're Happy and You Know It

Sensory: Clay

Monday - Memorial Day - no class

Wednesday
Book: The Gruffalo
Circle: Making Clay
Art: Roller Painting

Friday

Book: How Are You Peeling?

Circle: What Starts With ___?

Art: Group Painting

Lesson Plans 5/20/13 - 5/24/13

Songs: A Camping We Will Go
           The Hokey Pokey

Sensory: Marshmallows

Monday
Book: Jerome Camps Out by Eileen Christelow
Circle: Comparing Sizes
Art: Painting Stars

Wednesday

Book: Curious George Goes Camping by Margret and H.A. Rey

Circle: Marshmallow Math

Art: Marshmallow Art

Friday

Book: Quiet Night by Marilyn Singer

Circle: Science Experiment: What Will Break the Tissue

Art: Leaf Painting

The Hokey Pokey

You put your left foot in
You put your left foot out
You put your left foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around

That’s what it’s all about!

Continue singing and pointing to additional body parts.

A Camping We Will Go

A camping we will go
A camping we will go
Hi Ho oh you know
A camping we will go

A hiking we will go

A hiking we will go

Hi ho oh you know

A hiking we will go

A swimming we will go

A swimming we will go

Hi ho oh you know

A swimming we will go

A sleeping we will go

A sleeping we will go

Hi ho oh you know

A sleeping we will go

Lesson Plans 5/13/13 - 5/17/13

Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider
           The Ants Go Marching

Sensory: Bugs in Playdough

Monday
Book: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Circle: Math Project - What Bugs Do You Like?
           Science Project - Making Playdough
Art: Worms in Dirt

Wednesday
Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Circle: Word Matching
Art: Fold Over Butterflies

Friday
Book: The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
Circle: Bug Bug Under the Rug
Art: Snails

Lesson Plans 5/6/13 - 5/10/13

Songs: Please Stand Up
           Ten Little Fingers

Sensory: Animal Sponges

Monday
Book: Curious George Visits the Library By: Margret & H.A. Rey
Circle: Letter Matching
Art: May Gift

Wednesday

Book: Quiet! There’s a Canary in the Library By: Don Freeman

Circle: Letters In Your Name

Art: Letter Art

Friday

Book: Letters in the Library By: Bonnie Farmer

Circle: Science Experiment - What Dissolves in Water?

Art: Book Making

Lesson Plans 4/29/13 - 5/3/13

Songs: If You're Happy and You Know It
           10 Little Dinosaurs

Sensory: Digging for Fossils

Monday
Book: Curious George’s Dinosaur Discovery
Circle: Planting a Garden
Art: Dinosaur Painting

Wednesday
Book: My Dinosaur ABC
Circle: What's Missing
Art: Cookie Cutter Painting

Friday

Book: Stomp Dinosaur Stomp

Circle: Freeze Dance

Art: Puffy Paint

Lesson Plans 4/22/13 - 4/26/13

Songs: Plants
           Old MacDonald

Sensory: Water Beads

Monday 4/22/13
Book: Where Do Balloons Go? By: Jamie Lee Curtis
Circle: Science experiment: planting seeds
Art: Bubble Wrap Painting

Wednesday 4/24/13

Book: Boo-Hoo Moo By: Margie Palatini

Circle: I Spy

Art: Cow Collages

Friday 4/26/13

Book: Slop Goes The Soup By: Pamela D. Edwards

Circle: What's That Sound?

Art: Lego Printing

Plants

Sung to: "The Farmer In The Dell"

The farmer plants the seeds
The farmer plants the seeds
Hi, Ho and Cherry O
The farmer plants the seeds

The rain begins to fall

The rain begins to fall

Hi, Ho and Cherry O

The rain begins to fall

The sun begins to shine

The sun begins to shine
Hi, Ho and Cherry O

The sun begins to shine

The plants begin to grow

The plants begin to grow

The buds all open up

The plants begin to grow

Carrot Cake (or Cupcakes)

Per request, here is the recipe for the Carrot Cake that I make into cupcakes for birthdays in the class. This recipe comes from the book Piece of Cake.

2 c flour
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice (I actually use nutmeg instead)
3/4 tsp salt
4 eggs, bring to room temperature before using
1 can crushed pineapple in juice (I buy a larger can, put one cup into the batter and save the juice for icing)
1 c vegetable oil
2 c shredded carrots (the food processor is your friend)
3/4 c walnuts (optional - I don't use nuts when making this for the preschool)

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, brown sugar, and spices
Add eggs, 1 c pineapple, and oil, mix well
Gently stir in carrots and walnuts

Prepare baking pan with cooking spray or olive oil mist
Bake at 350 for 18-25 minutes for cupcakes
35-40 minutes for a 13x9 pan

Let cool before decorating

Traditional Frosting (This is what I use for the preschool)
3 c powdered sugar
1/3 c vegan shortening (it comes in a tub usually on the top or bottom shelf in the baking aisle, not crisco)
2.5 - 3 Tbsp pineapple juice

Put all ingredients into bowl and mix well.
If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add more pineapple juice.

Cream Cheese Frosting (This is what I use at home)
3 c powdered sugar
1 lb cream cheese
1/2 c butter
3-4 Tbsp pineapple juice

Put all ingredients into bowl and mix well.

If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add more pineapple juice.

The cake should be stored in the refrigerator if you use this frosting.

How to Make a Lava Lamp

The children loved our science experiment today - making a lava lamp with household items. I thought some of you might want to try this at home. You will need 1 empty bottle, vegetable oil, water, food coloring, and alka seltzer tablets.

Pour oil into the bottle until the bottle is 1/2 - 2/3 full. Add water until bottle is mostly full. Add a few drops of food coloring and watch the colored water sink to the bottom of the bottle. You may want to put the lid on the bottle and swirl or shake gently to demonstrate how even when the water moves, the oil stays on top of the water. Add half an alka seltzer tablet and watch as bubbles of colored water are forced upward through the oil. When the contents settle, you can add another tablet and watch it all over again.

The children were mesmerized by this.

Lesson Plans 4/15/13 - 4/19/13

Songs: ABCs
           Dragonfly Song

Sensory: Oats

Monday 4/15/13
Book: Imogene's Antlers by David Small
Circle: Dice Game
Art: Strawberry Basket Painting

Wednesday 4/17/13
Book: Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schafer
Circle: Letter Sounds Bingo
           Science Experiment
Art: April Gift

Friday 4/19/13
Spring Party 10:30 - 12:00
If you have signed up to bring food, please bring any serving utensils you will need. Thanks!
(We have no serving utensils or knives in the classroom.)

Dragonfly Song

(Sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle..")

Dragonfly, dragonfly, who am I?
I'm not a dragon or a fly.
I'm a bug with wings that shine.
Fluttering around in a curvy line.
I swoop down low or way up high,
But don't touch me, just let me fly!

Lesson Plans 4/8/13 - 4/12/13

Songs: 5 Little Ducks
           6 Little Ducks

Sensory: Bubbles

Monday
Book Little Quack by Lauren Thompson
Circle Animal Guessing Game
Art Sponge Painting

Wednesday

Book The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein

Circle Activity: What Will You Do Now?

          Science Experiment: Walking Water

Art Duck Collages

Friday

Book Duck and Goose by Tad Hills

Circle What's Missing?

Art Golf Ball Painting

5 Little Ducks

5 little ducks went out to play

over the hills and far away

Mama duck said quack quack quack

and 4 little ducks came running back

(Repeat until no ducks are left)

Then Mama Duck said QUACK QUACK QUACK

and all the little ducks came running back.

Lesson Plans 4/1/13 - 4/5/13

Songs: Who Sits Next to You
           I'm a Little Teapot

Sensory: Shaving Cream

Monday
Book: Hop on Pop
Circle: Rhyming Word Activity
Art: Comb Painting

Wednesday

Book: If You Take a Mouse to School

Circle: Discussion: My Favorite Foods

Art: Food Paintings

Friday

Book: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Circle: Science Experiment with water

           Game: Bug Bug Under the Rug

Art: Glue and Sand Art

Lesson Plans 3/25/13 - 3/27/13

Songs: If You're Happy And You Know It
           5 Green Frogs

Sensory: Playdough

Monday
Book: I Wished For a Unicorn
Circle: Discussion - What would you wish for?
           Dice Game
Art: Watercolors

Wednesday
Book: The Best Pet Ever
Circle: What Am I? Game
           Science Experiment: Sink or Float

Friday - There is no class on Friday. Have a good weekend!

5 Green Frogs

5 green and speckled frogs
sat on a hollow log
eating the most delicious bugs
yum yum
1 jumped into the pool
where it was nice and cool
now there are 4 green speckled frogs
glub glub

Repeat until there are no more frogs

Lesson Plans 3/20/13 - 3/22/13

Songs: Open Shut Them
           10 Little Flowers

Sensory: Shredded Paper

Wednesday
Book: Keisha Ann Can
Circle: Scattegories Jr*
Art: March Gift

Friday
Book: Biscuit Goes to School
Circle: What's Missing?**
Art: March Gift

* This is a great phonics game you can play at home. It is creative, cooperative (rather than competitive) and does not require any special materials. Write a single letter each on 26 post its or index cards. Write some simple categories, one each, on post its or index cards. For example, animals, vegetables, toys, etc. Have your child choose one letter card and one category card. Together, think of as many items that as you can that both fit the category and letter chosen. Write them down. Play a few rounds and see which list is the longest.

** This is a memory game that is easy to play. Gather 5 simple household items and a dish towel. Tell your child the name of each item as you point to it. Then cover all 5 items with the towel, slip your hand under the towel and remove one item before displaying the remaining items. Ask your child what is missing. You can give hints if needed. You can use more items to make the game more challenging.

Lesson Plans 3/11/13 - 3/15/13

Songs: Put Your Finger on Your Knee
           Baby Bumble Bee

Sensory: Toilet Paper Playdough

Monday
Book: If You Give a Pig a Party By Laura Numeroff
Circle: Make toilet paper dough
Art: Painting binoculars

Wednesday
Book: Mole and the Baby Bird By Marjorie Newman
Circle: Science experiment: Can the wind move it?
Art: Q-tip painting

Friday
Book: Froggy Plays In The Band By Jonathan London
Circle: Guess which friend
Art: Lily pad paintings

Baby Bumble Bee

I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! It stung me!


I’m squishing up my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m squishing up my baby bumblebee,
Eww! It’s all over me!

I’m wiping off my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m wiping off my baby bumblebee,
Look! All clean!

Science Experiment 3/6/13

This is the science experiment we did at circle today. The children LOVED it so I thought I would share. Now you can do it at home and see it for yourself.

You will need:

2 Tbsp warm water

1 tsp yeast

1/2 c hydrogen peroxide 6% OR Salon Care 20 volume clear developer (available at beauty supply stores)

         Do not use hydrogen peroxide 3% - it is not strong enough and will not cause the reaction.

a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor

one pump of dish soap

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside.

Put hydrogen peroxide, food coloring and dish soap in a plastic bottle.

Place plastic bottle on tray or in sink to catch the mess.

Add yeast solution to hydrogen peroxide solution and watch it foam up.

Lesson Plans 3/4/13 - 3/8/13

Songs: Illy Ally Oh

Sensory: Dried Beans

Monday 3/4/13
Book: Princess Super Kitty By Antoinette Portis
Circle: Discussion: What super power would you want to have?
Art: Super Hero Collages

Wednesday 3/6/13
Book: A Penguin Story By Antoinette Portis
Circle: Science Experiment
Art: Antarctic (Tissue Paper and Starch)

Friday 3/8/13
Book: The Best Gift of All By Jonathan Emmett
Circle: Math Activity
Art: Leaf Painting

Lesson Plans 2/25/13 - 3/1/13

Songs: If You're Happy and You Know It
           Who Sits Next to You?

Sensory: Playdough
              Water with Sponges

Monday 2/25/13
Book: How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?
Circle: Dice Game
Art: Puffy Paint
Special thanks to Haley for volunteering today!

Wednesday 2/27/13
Field trip to Valentino's at 9:30
562 Las Posas Rd
We will meet at the preschool at 9:00 to arrange carseats and will leave at 9:15
After the field trip, we will be going back to the preschool.
Special thanks to those parents who volunteered to drive!

Friday 3/1/13
Book: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons By Eric Litwin
Circle: What's Missing?
Art: Flower Painting

Lesson Plans 2/20/13 - 2/22/13

Songs: Six Little Ducks
           Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Sensory: Playdough

Wednesday
Book:  Space Boy by Leo Landry
Circle:  Making a Mathematical Chart - How tall are you?
Art:      Chalk Paint

Friday

Book:  Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis

Circle:  Fair Play*

Art:      Group Painting Project

*We will do an activity that helps the children have fun with classroom rules and routines. We will also talk about friendship such as how to get along with others and how to ask for help. It is normal for preschoolers to need a refresher on this every few months. Letting the children take part in making and maintaining the classroom rules and routines makes it not only easier but more fun.

Six Little Ducks

Six little ducks
that I once knew
tall ones, short ones
fair ones too
but the one little duck
with the feather on his back
he led the others with a
quack quack quack
quack quack quack
quack quack quack
he led the others with a
quack quack quack.

Lesson Plans 2/13/13 - 2/15/13

Songs: Slippery Fish
           Please Stand Up

Sensory: Cornstarch and Water Goop

Wednesday
Book:  Mole Music
Circle: Color Matching
Art:     Tambourines

Friday

Book: Perfect Square 

Circle: Pattern Recognition

Art:     Tissue Paper Art

Please Stand Up

If you're wearing red stand up, stand up.
If you're wearing red, stand up.

Clap your hands and turn around and then sit down.

If you're wearing blue stand up, stand up.
If you're wearing blue, stand up.

Clap your hands and turn around and then sit down.

If you're wearing yellow stand up, stand up.
If you're wearing yellow, stand up.

Clap your hands and turn around and then sit down.

Continue with several other colors.

Slippery Fish

Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!

Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an…

Octopus, octopus, squiggling in the water
Octopus, octopus, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a…

Tuna fish, tuna fish, flashing in the water,
Tuna fish, tuna fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a…

Great white shark, great white shark, lurking in the water,
Great white shark, great white shark, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a…

Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water,
Humongous whale, humongous whale,
Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … 

Lesson Plans 2/4/13 - 2/8/13

Songs Open, Shut Them
          When Cows Get Up in the Morning

Sensory Rice with sifters and funnels

Monday
Book Cock a Moo Moo by Juliet Dallas-Conte
Circle Veggie Chip Tasting*
Art     Cookie Cutter Painting

Wednesday

Book  The Peace Book by Todd Parr

Circle What's Missing

           Science Experiment

Art     February Gift

Friday

Book  The Little Pea by Eric Battut

Circle  Find The Object

Art      Collage

*The children will have the opportunity to taste several all-natural veggie chips, most of which are homemade. We will be making a graph of the chips that children like and will use it as an opportunity to discuss mathematical concepts such as counting, and comparing quantities (less than, greater than). The veggie chips will also be our snack today.

Please check out our updated snack menu as well.

When cows get up in the morning

When cows get up in the morning
what do they say?
when cows get up in the morning
they always say g'day!
Moo-moo moo-moo
moo-moo moo-moo
when cows get up in the morning
that is what they say

Repeat with horse, sheep, pig, etc.

Open, Shut Them

While singing, do the motions with your hands:

Open shut them, open shut them
give a little clap clap clap
open shut them, open shut them
put them in your lap

Creep them creep them
creep them creep them
right up to your nose nose nose

Creep them creep them

creep them creep them

right down to your toes toes toes

Open shut them, open shut them

give a little clap clap clap

open shut them, open shut them

put them in your lap

Creep them creep them

creep them creep them

right up to your chin

open up your little mouth

but do not let them in

Open shut them, open shut them

give a little clap clap clap

open shut them, open shut them

put them in your lap

Lesson Plans 1/28/13 - 2/1/13

Songs The More We Get Together
          Bingo

Sensory Playdough

Monday
Book The Worm Family
Circle Make Playdough
Art Worm Spaghetti Painting

Wednesday
Book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Circle I Spy
Art Foil Art

Friday
Book I Can Read With My Eyes Shut
Circle Science Experiment - Making a Lava Lamp
Art Telescopes

Bingo

There was a farmer who had a dog
and Bingo was his name-o
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
and Bingo was his name-o

There was a farmer who had a dog

and Bingo was his name-o

B-I-N-G-(clap)

B-I-N-G-(clap)

B-I-N-G-(clap)

and Bingo was his name-o

Continue leaving off another letter each verse

The More We Get Together

The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together the happier we'll be
'Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together the happier we'll be.

Lesson Plans 1/14/13 - 1/18/13

Songs: The Ants Go Marching
Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Sensory: Water Activity

Monday
Book Farm Flu By Teresa Bateman
Circle Animal Game
Art Masks

Wednesday

Book Whoo! Whoo! Goes the Train By Anne Rockwell

Circle Balloon science experiment

Art Sand paper painting

Friday

Book Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr.

Circle One of these things is not like the other

Art Bear paintings

The Ants Go Marching

The ants go marching one by one, Hurrah!! Hurrah!!
The ants go marching one by one, Hurrah!! Hurrah!!
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stopped to suck his thumb,
And they all go marching down, to the ground, to get out of the rain.

Two by two/Tie his shoe
Three by three/Scratch his knee
Four by four/Slam the door
Five by five/Take a dive
Six by six/Pick Up sticks

Lesson Plans 1/7/13 - 1/11/13

Songs:    Who Sits Next to You?
              Illy Ally Oh
Sensory: Fabric Scraps

Monday
Book:    The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaefer  
Circle:   Guess the Object
Art:       Roller Painting

Wednesday

Book:    You Are My 'I Love You' by Maryann K Cusimano

Circle:    Dice Game

Art:       January Gift

Other:    Science Experiment - Crystals

Friday

Book:   B is For Bear  

Circle:   Patterns

Art:      Puffy Paint