Itsy Bitsy Spider

The Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of our 2s class favorites.

This week we took a closer look at spiders.  We learned that they have 8 legs and 8 eyes.

Then we made spiders with play-doh.

We tossed "flies" at our sticky spider web above the door.  

This was not easy, but it was lots of fun.  

We didn't give up and got really good at this game.

We learned that spiders have 2 body parts.  

We painted thoraxes for each of our spiders.

Finally, we braved a sticky web to read for shapes.

We used hand-eye coordination to try and avoid touching the web.

4s Pumpkin Party

Today was pumpkin party day for our 4s.  

We decorated pumpkins.

 Each one was unique, just like the artist.

We shared a deliciously, spooky snack...

then we played carnival games.

Face painting...

Candy Corn bean bag toss...

Monster Can toss...

What a fun day pretending together :)

Thank you to all of the friends and family members who made today a great experience.

3s Pumpkin Party

Today our 3s had their pumpkin party.  JJ taught the the prayer of the jack-o-lantern...

Dear God, open my mind so I can learn about you (cut top). Take away all of my sin and forgive my wrongs (clean inside). Open my eyes so I will see your love. I'm sorry for turning my nose to you . Open my ears so I hear your word. Open my mouth so I can tell others about you. Let my light shine in all I say and do. ( light candle) Amen.

What a sweet way to think about this season.

They visited the pumpkin patch.

Each child found their own name in the pumpkin patch.

Then they decorated them.

They played games together.

And enjoyed a precious snack.  Thank you to the party moms families for making today special for our little ones.  

Kyle's Farm

We love tradition at SDS!  One of our favorites is our fall field trip to the pumpkin patch with our 4s.  This year's trip to Kyle's Farm did not disappoint.  It was the most perfect fall day you could imagine.  We gathered with friends and family in Harrells for a wonderful day on the farm.  We went on a hayride, visited with the farm animals, completed the corn maze, rode the barrel train, did the BIG slide, had a picnic and picked a pumpkin. Thank you to all who made this a great day.

Whoo, Whoo Loves our Twos???

This week our 2s learned the nursery rhyme "A Wise Old Owl". 

We looked closely at owls and enjoyed a favorite story, Owl Babies.

Lots of time people ask me, "What do you do with 2 years olds at preschool"?  Well, here you go!  

We create.

We learn to work with our friends- during a WHOLE GROUP art project???

There are times we don't even attempt this with our 4s!   What can I say, they are amazing!

We learn to use school tools, and manage our materials.

It is true, the only way that you can learn to manage the flow of glue, it to actually work with a glue bottle.  Yes, there are messes, but that is what we are here for.  

Today we played a auditory discrimination game.  

We pretended to be owls and flew around the classroom with the rhythm of the music.

When the music stopped, we all had to find a safe nest in which to rest.  

Our little owls are such good listeners!

Butterfly Release

 Our Monarch Butterfly hatched from its chrysalis on a Saturday :(  

We can make plans, but we can not plan nature!

I was able to keep her happy with fresh flowers for nectar and water until Tuesday, when all of the boys and girls would have a chance to see her.

That butterfly was so FAST, she must have really been ready to go.  

She flew up very high, very fast.  She did not pose for a picture! 

  I think the looks on their faces are priceless.  If you look carefully at the top, right hand corner, you can see her wing.

   Even though they didn't get to see her emerge, they got to see her fly away! 

As she went, I heard a sweet little voice say, "Oh, I see she's already off to Mexico"- just when you think they are not listening!  This student remembered what we learned about the Monarch's migration habits and applied it to our experience!

Wild About our 3s!

We are just wild about our Sunshine 3s!  They are the sweetest bunch of little learners you will ever meet.  I know I say it all the time, but the community that they build in the 2 year old room really does carry over and make a HUGE difference in the 3 year old program we are able to offer.  

 

This week they studied wild animals.  They built habitats for them with play-doh, careful to think about what each animal would need to live. 

They sorted the animals, either by type or color- choose your owl rule!

They enriched their vocabulary through experience...

and used elaborative language to tell about what they noticed.

It looks like these animals are getting a nice bath at the water table watering hole!

Finally, the animals made tracks in the play-doh.  It is neat to notice how each one makes a different mark.