Good Messy Fun!

Today we made a MESS! 

We mixed up a fine batch of  "goop". 

Just cornstarch and water, but SO much more when you mix it all together. 

It is solid, it is liquid, all at the same time.  

We had an opportunity to use BIG words as we discussed measurement, colloids, and proportion.  

We came up with many "G" words to describe the product of our experiment: gooey, gross, gobbley, and goopy.

We made a HUGE mess and you know what else we did, we cleaned it up!

The children poured the goop in the trash...

And washed every dish we used.  

I love these kids. 

 I love watching them grow, and getting to be just a small part of their lives.  

Lemonade Stand and Bake Sale!

Our Sunshine 4s are happy to report that their Lemonade Stand and Bake Sale was a huge success.  Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined the learning project that this became.

On Monday morning we got right to work designing posters and promotional materials.

The children used the letters they were most familiar with to write their messages.  

Then we illustrated them!

We thought about where the most people would see our signs and then posted them.

Finally, it was time to complete the signage.

Tuesday morning was show time! Mrs. Harley helped us follow the recipe to make our lemonade. 

We posted our menu, and a reminder to all of our inspiration for the project.

We are so grateful to all of the bakers who supported our idea and helped us stock the bake sale table.

The boys and girls placed each item on the table.

They swept the area to make it neat and tidy for the customers.

They took care to make sure each item was presented in the best way.

They kept the table full, until we sold out of most everything.

It wasn't long before our first customer arrived!

We worked in 3,40 minutes shifts.  

Each shift was broken into 4 jobs: Lemonade Pourer, Bake Sale Attendant, Cashier, and Greeter.

The pourer had a very tricky job.  The pitchers were very heavy.  Wise pourers asked for help!  Other wise pourers gave each customer a VERY small amount of lemonade, which resulted in safe pours, but also the need to offer free refills! Problem solving at its finest!

The cashier's were very careful in their counting. 

 Can you believe that we never had to make change!?

Our greeters welcomed our customers and explained how to shop.

The Bake Sale Attendant showed the customers their options and offered suggestions when asked.

A generous friend gave child in our 3s class a dollar so that they could also take part in this special event. 

They made good choices and enjoyed a special treat.

Finally, it was time to tally our proceeds.  So far we had raised $495!  

We were all in shock!  What a blessing this event was to all involved, from the planners to the customers and assistants to the children that will soon receive new toys.  All thanks to the generous spirits of these precious children.  

We are still looking for children who are in need of new toys following the flooding in our area.  We set out to buy 1 toy, but will be able to buy many, many more.  I can't wait to take these babies to Walmart to shop!

  

Lemonade for Sale

Today started like any other day at preschool.  Little did I know we were on the cusp of something big.  Truthfully, I should have known.  These kids are amazing.  

After a long and unexpected Hurricane Matthew break, we needed to catch up. Sure, there was work to be done, but nothing was going to happen until we hashed out who's trampoline was where and how dark it was with the lights out.  

The one thing our storm stories had in common was that we were all safe.  After some healing moments of discussion (do NOT let your dad tie your trampoline to a tree during a storm) it was time for our devotion.  In the way that only God can plan, our lesson came from 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, on the subject of "sharing".  We read the story and talked about ways we can share with others how we can help God take care of His people. It all just fit together.  Concerned hearts, a need in our community, and a Bible verse to pull it all together. 

We spent some time talking about how we could share our blessings with those in need in our community.  Before I knew it, they were offering up their piggy banks.  Then a little hand popped up with the suggestion that we pool our money to buy "a toy" for a child that had to throw all of theirs away due to flooding.  We wondered together how we could earn some money.  It wasn't long before they decided we would sell lemonade, and that we maybe should ask Arabella's Nana to make some food to sell too.  A plan was born.

On Monday we will make signs to advertise our event, decide on fair pricing, determine the amounts of each item we need to have, and prepare to open for business on Tuesday. 

I love being a facilitator in this most natural of learning experiences.  I love that I have the opportunity to learn right along beside them.  I am excited to be encouraging generosity and helping my learners as they find out just how good it feels to help others.  

If you know of a child that needs "a toy", please contact me at georgiafarrior@hotmail.com

I hope that after Tuesday, we will be able to fulfill the need.  

Come see us a 606 College Street between 10-12 on Tuesday, October 18th for a cold cup of lemonade, some baked goods, and the opportunity to be a part of something pretty special.

Open House Ready!

Open House is all about setting the stage for a great year at preschool.  Each year we plan 9-10 activities that families complete together.  Putting this in the form of a scavenger hunt provides structure to the event and helps us stay organized.  We think it is the perfect way to kick off our  preschool adventure! Our goal is that families will work together to accomplish the tasks, have fun together, and at the end of our time together both child and parent will be comfortable with their new learning setting. 

All 3 classes take part in similar scavenger hunts.  This post is specific to our 4s program.

 

 

#1  Sorting Supplies.  

We love that our 4s are ready to be big helpers!  

Sorting supplies gives them ownership of their new classroom and materials!

#2  Time to Play!

Find the Play-doh center and your own cup cup of Play-doh!

Time together at the play-doh table is a sweet reminder of the importance of PLAY in the classroom!

#4 Back Pack Glyph

Children work with their families to create a back pack that tells all about them!

The back pack is their favorite color, the pocket color tells if they are a boy or girl.  The number of crayons signifies their age, and the presence of glue or scissors shows if they like school or not.

#5 Sunshine Bags

Mrs. Lesley helped each child place their hand prints on their school bags in the shape of a sunshine.

This special time with her allows the children to get to know the second teacher in our room!

#6 Find your cubby!

It is so much fun to have your own space at preschool.  Here we keep our bags and coats and other fun things that come to school with us.

#7 Visit the Butterfly Garden

Our new butterfly garden is already buzzing with activity!

Look who moved in!  

We have the whole life cycle going on, eggs, caterpillars, butterflies and a chrysalis!

#8 Get your Homework

There is nothing quite like a super organized notebook to start the year!  

Calendars, homework for kids and parents, and notes galore fill these all important organizational tools.

#9 Picture Time

Our "Happy Camper" were all smiles for back-to-school pictures.  We use these pictures all year as we make classmade books, sign-in sheets, picture directories, and many other literacy activities.

Camp Sunshine!

Our last camp of the summer was Camp Sunshine with our 2s.  We met with 2 groups this week and had a wonderful adventure! We started our day with Baby Baby, Baby Bear.  We moved around like many of the forest animals of North America.  Then we departed for a wild Bear Hunt!

We explored water in the sensory table.

We camped in our tent.

We learned new words!  Lantern!

We tried out the sleeping bags.

We spied wild animals all over the classroom!

Then we painted with marshmallows!

We mixed red and yellow paint to make orange!

Some of these paintings became campfire art!

Finally it was time to go outside!

And we had time for one more story, curled up in our sleeping bags!

Sweet little fingerprints make these Firefly Catchers even more special.  I sure love mine!