"Over in the Meadow" Felt Board Story

We are studying the weather changes that come in the spring, including the animals coming out when it starts to get warm. So, I decided to read the book Over in the Meadow and made some felt board animals to along with it. This book is great for counting and rhyming and learning about what different animals do. 

Farm Study

These photos are from my co-workers classroom. They have been working on a farm study the last couple of weeks and she has a TON of great ideas. I will probably be using some of these ideas soon myself. Thank you to Crystal for allowing me to use your photos!

Valentine's Heart Animals

Here is what we did for our friendship day activity when the parents were invited volunteer in the classroom. They made all different animals out if hears and some other various shapes.

Other stations that we had set up for the kids to do included decorating a paper bag for their cards, and lacing beads on string to make a friendship bracelet. It was really fun and the children always enjoy when their parents come in to volunteer.

Pets Prop Box

This week, we began our study on pets. With the help of one of our parent volunteers, we used this nicely decorated cardboard box as a prop box to introduce the topic of pets.

We put several different items in the box including a dog leash and collar, a food/water bowl, and a dog toy. Also I added photos of different pets.

I also checked out a box of puppets from our resource room to use with the kids. They seem to really be interested in the puppets.

More pet activities to come!

Chronicles of Summertime: Day 15

Day 15:
Today, we visited the living historical farm at one of our metro parks. This was so fun and the part was it was FREE! You can walk around and explore the park at your own leisure. I was going to try to describe it, but the website's description does a better job, so...

Time has been turned back to the 1880s at Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Visitors can experience first-hand what life was like on an Ohio farm more than 100 years ago.

As you stroll through the gardens, barns and farmhouse, you will see the farm costumed staff and volunteers going about their daily chores. What you won't see are gas-powered tractors or electric refrigerators.

You may see the farmer plowing the fields with the help of the draft horses. Inside the summer kitchen, the ladies may be canning and preserving crops from the heirloom garden.

The farm is home to all kinds of heirloom animal breeds including the Poland China hog, Merino sheep and Percheron draft horses. There are also flocks of ducks, chickens, turkeys and geese.

So, we walked around and looked at the animals, pet the animals, saw a new baby bull, and pumped water to water the garden. It was a great time. We could've stayed a lot longer, but Ladybug got hungry. I fed her in the car and then took Snugglepuppy to another area of the park to play on the playground.

New lambs born at the end of March/beginning of April.

Snugglepuppy calling for the sheep to come over.

Looking in at the ducklings.

Baby ducklings!

Snugglepuppy scaring off a duck.

Whoa! I never knew pigs could get so big!

Piglets :)

Baby turkeys.

Pumping water.

Trying to throw a corn cob/feather dart through the hoop.

Marble ramp toy. Snugglepuppy was totally fascinated.

After the park, we came home and ended up making a trip to Walmart and then having our pizza pizza party. That was about it for the day. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Springtime in Preschool

We are studying Spring in our class this month. Here are some photos of how we arranged the dramatic play area into a Spring area.

Frogs on lily pads with cattails.

Logs made from rolled up brown construction paper and little plastic butterflies, lily pads and frogs.

Light table against the wall with bean bags around it to sit on.

This interactive wall has foam cutouts of fish, ducks, and frogs that are stuck on with velcro so kids can take them down and put them up how they want. There are also words stuck on with velcro to match with the animals. Our table is decorated with flowers and a watering can and there are dishes and food available for kids to have a picnic if they want.

We also planted flowers in cutoff water bottles. Here are a couple of pictures.

Happy Spring and hope you enjoy some fun activities with your kiddos!

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