Let's Talk Turkey (and Pilgrims & Indians)!

I know it is only a few days until Thanksgiving but, I just had to share some of the cutest turkeys EVER!  I mean come on . . . LOOK AT THESE!

I'm starting with my new favorite.  I have jumped on the burlap bandwagon (heck, my husband thinks I am leading the parade!) so when our newest teacher at the ELC, Emily Haynes, told me about this, I knew I had to try it!  Her mom, Laura Sutter, made them at her school in Georgia.  Thanks Emily and Laura!!!!

These were a perfect way to work on our fine motor skills and everyone loved picking out their own "Indian" beads.  I love this!!!  Do you think my 25 year old son will let me make one with his hand print?????

Next up is our "fun feather" turkey.

I have the prettiest leaves in my yard and I pressed them overnight using newspaper and books.  I would have let the children pick up leaves at the school but the weather has not cooperated.  They were very happy just picking out their leaves from the pile.

This next little fellow just can't be beat!  We used a toilet paper roll for his body and 1/2 of one for his head. We traced the child's hand onto a sheet of cardstock (to make it sturdier).  The children used dot paint to decorate their hands.  It made for perfect turkey feathers.  The feet are my favorite part.  We used cereal boxes and let the children paint them.  Everyone got to mix some yellow and orange paint to make "their perfect feet color".  FUN!

Last but not least we made our Pilgrim and Indian.

This year we changed it up a little.  We let the children use actual beads to make the necklace.  After the beads were on the necklace I cheated a little and use some hot glue to attached them to our Indian.  Oh, and I know the Pilgrims did not have button, but we added them just for fun!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

Teaching with Tears

Sometimes teaching preschool isn't easy.  No, I don't mean the job itself, I mean "doing" the job.  Preschool teacher have to be happy.  You just cannot have an unhappy preschool teacher.  Now, this is usually not a problem for me. How can I be unhappy???  I mean I love my job.  I adore my class, my co-workers and no one could have a more pleasant director.  But late last week things changed.  Not with school, but with life.  Early Thursday morning I got the call to say my sweet friend Lottie had lost her battle with cancer.   School started in only a couple of hours, I had to put on my "happy face".  I knew it wouldn't be easy but I washed my face, reapplied my make-up and headed out the door.  I wasn't sure I could do it, but the first person I saw was my precious friend Christi (I usually call her my "partner-in-crime").  No two people could possibly be more different.  Yet, I'm pretty sure she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  Sure enough I heard, "you didn't have to come in, I've got this",  I knew she meant it, but I knew I had to be there.  As soon as children started coming in the door, I knew I was in the right place.  Christi never left my side.  We joined our classes and had an amazing day.  We gobbled like turkeys and laughed more than usual.  Soon it was time for our day to end.  The sadness and the tears came back but they quickly left again on Friday morning when once again school began.  Today I said good-bye to my friend Lottie.  There is a big hole in my heart and I will miss her more than I can say.  But at least I have a sweet group of 3 & 4 years olds and great friends, who will help me make it through.

My sweet friend Lottie

Veteran's Day 2012

Veteran's Day is never to be forgotten and it is never too early to talk about it with children.  Friday we spent the entire day playing patriotic music and talking about what people who serve or have served our country.  My favorite comment of the day was from sweet "M".  At the end of the day he said, "WOW Mrs. Karen, we would be in a lot of trouble if we didn't have veterans!".  No more words are needed, I'll just show you how our class honored veterans on Friday.

Everyone had their photo taken holding our flag and the little poem reads -

History

I read of patriots long ago
Who fought to buy the peace I know.
They gave all that they had
So that I could be glad,
Living in a country free
Enjoy peace and prosperity.

Men and women once like me,
Wanted their country to be free.
They fought hard, they fought long,
Some gave their lives to conquer wrong.
That we might live in liberty,
Enjoying peace and prosperity.

Thank you to our veterans who have 

served our country!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Ice cream makes me happy!  I don't think it is just me - everyone likes ice cream.  This week's letter was the letter "I" so we made a yummy looking ice cream cone.  I guess you can tell by the picture that the ice cream is our hand print, BUT look closer . . . the children actually cut out the cones themselves and added detailing with a ruler!!!

These were a great way to practice our fine motor skills and we had so much fun using scissors & rulers!  The "sprinkles" were tiny shapes and everyone loved picking out their favorites to go on top their cones.  Now, please excuse me because I just had to share this next picture . . .

Look at his "sprinkles" on top, he said they were "Christmas tree" sprinkles!  FUN!!!

Positively Perfect P Week

I know, I know, I say this all the time - this was my favorite week!  We managed to have so much fun packed into 5 short day!  Let's just jump right into our week -

On Monday we decided to introduced the letter "P" by making our Pink and Purple Penguin with Polka-dots.  (OH MY, that is a mouthful for sure.)  These were such a fun way to work on our imagination and fine motor skills.  

These two were macaroni penguins and I hope you can see that the penguin on the left has a fish in her mouth.  I love that!  What an imagination!  Of course we spent the entire day waddling like penguins and giggling because we could not fly.

Tuesday was spend making our very own personalized pumpkins.  Everyone had their choice of colors.  They were very interesting to say the least.  I cut out a variety of different size pumpkins.  Some were tall and thin, some were short and fat, and others were tall and fat.  Everyone got a choice (NOTE: I always cut out way too many of each type.  That way everyone never has to settle for what is left-over.).  Next, deciding on a color.  For some it was very difficult "thinking outside the box".  "Pumpkins are orange" I was told several different times.  Finally, my message was received - it is YOUR pumpkin, what color do YOU want it to be.  AHHHHHH success!

I also had different size stems.  Everyone choose their stems and painted them their own special color.  The pumpkin leaves were our hand prints in (of course) any color they wanted.  Now, here comes the sad part . . .  I forgot to take a picture of our final product.  But trust me - you really need to do this.  It was a lot of fun and everyone had a great time taking their imagination to a new level.

No really fun "P" week would be complete without a Pajama Party!  And what a Pajama Party we had!!!  Everyone came to school dressed in their P.J.'s and brought their pillows.  We ate popcorn and watch a movie (Mary Poppins, of course!).

What fun!

Now, FINALLY the most PERFECT day arrived!!! POLICEMAN DAY!  My sweet, sweet son, Officer Jay arrived to talk to us about being and police officer.  In his honor we made a police car out of shapes.

Forgive me please while I act like a proud mom and share some of the pictures from our Police Day 2012.

Yes, I'm really that proud!

Officer Jay!

Looking at Officer Jay's handcuffs.

Explaining his uniform.

Yes, he has a real gun!

GLOVES!

His bullet proof vest.

Two really great guys!

Yes, "P" week was PERFECT!