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.

The Very Lonely Firefly

For our study on "Investigating Light," one of the books we read was The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle. 

After reading the book, we made fingerprint fireflies. Using yellow paint, we made fingerprints on black construction paper. Then, after it dried, we drew in the details. Here is an example of the one I made.

We also took a piece of cardboard and poked holes in it. Then, we turned off the lights and shined a flashlight through the holes to make it look like fireflies lighting up.

The kids really enjoyed this unit, especially when we turned off the lights to make shadows and paint with glow in the dark paint!

Sight Word Sensory Hunt

We have recently begun a study on food and grocery store, so here is one of our activities. In the sensory table, I placed spiral pasta, foam letters, and various scoops, shovels, etc. Then, I added some sight words onto a bulletin board right above. The children are to hunt out the letters to try to spell their sight words. Not only does this give them practice with sight words, but alphabet recognition as well.

Also, I chose these sight words intentionally to reinforce what they have been learning on the bus.

Bulletin Board Ideas

Here are a couple of the bulletin boards we have up outside the classroom. The first one focuses on our transportation unit. There is some of the children's work posted. It was a project where they had to tell how they come to school, by bus, car, truck, etc. and then cut out that vehicle and glue it on the paper. I also added some strips of paper that have objectives listed that relate to what the children learned and on the outside, I posted some photos from our wrap-up celebration of our study when parents were invited to come and race remote control vehicles with their children. 

These are our patterns we made using different color light bulb cutouts for our "Investigating Light" study. As you can see at the bottom center the one that is all blue, one friend got creative and decided to cut out and glue on his own light bulb. Although he didn't create a color pattern with it, I felt that it was worth displaying as he took it upon himself to extend the activity.

I like how both of these turned out with the bright colors. I felt that they really stand out!

Post Office Trip

We took a field trip to the local post office a couple weeks ago. Here are some of the pictures. Luckily, we were able to see the distribution center instead of just the post office itself. It was really cool to see how they sort the mail and get it ready for the mail carriers. I think the kids learned a lot.

She was showing us all of the gear they have to wear in the winter to keep warm.

All the bins where the packages (presents) get sorted.

Our "tour guide" mail carrier was very friendly and so good with the kids. She made it exciting and let the kids ask questions. She was very patient as well. She really made it a great field trip for all!

As a follow-up activity, we turned our writing area into a mail center where the kids can write a letter to a friend and put it in the mailbox. There is even a place to write the friend's name and address on the cards.

This was a very informative lesson and I would recommend a field trip to your local post office to any preschool age classroom!

Upcycled Wooden Heart Wall Decoration

I made this project for a Christmas project. I got the original heart shape from the thrift store for $1.99.

Next, I sanded it down.

Then, I painted it red.

Using some scrap cardboard and some scrapbook paper, I cut out the same heart shape and glued them together with a glue stick. (Using liquid glue can make the paper wrinkle up when it dries).

 I attached it to the back of the wooden heart.

 Here is the final product.

 It can just be a decoration for the wall or you can also use it for wine cork storage.

Simple Sewing Projects

Here are some sewing projects I've been working on recently. Yes, I decided to pull out the old sewing machine and dust it off.

Bean Bags. You can buy the filling below from Amazon.

Next, I made a pillow for Snugglepuppy and a mini one for his teddy bear.

Last, I made a 10-minute table runner. Admittedly, it took longer than 10 minutes. Some of that was due to technical difficulties, so I think if I make anymore it will be much faster. Here's the video:

Cardboard Delivery Truck

The last few weeks, we've been studying transportation. Here is a truck the kids decorated and have been driving around the room. I love how the painting turned out with the bright colors. I had them paint the tires separately and then attached them with pipe cleaners so they really turn. I also cut out the steering wheel from cardboard and attached it with another piece of cardboard. They really have been having a lot of fun driving it around.

Here are some of the books we have been reading as well to support our topic.

Another Smiley Face Lunch

Here is the smiley face I made for Snugglepuppy the other day as he now won't eat much of anything unless it looks like some kind of shape. I would have preferred peanut butter on the bread so we would have some protein, but he refused. The star is cheese. Not the healthiest lunch ever, but it gets him to try a variety of foods. 

Healthy Cute Kids Lunch

What can I say? He ate it all and asked for more... and then more carrots! 

Happy New Year to all! Hope 2014 brings you lots of health, happiness, and love :)