A little of this, a little of that = loads of fun!

A quote for today and everyday:



















Some songs you may not know:


The Grape Jelly Cure-

Ants in my Pants Dance-

A Laurie Berkner, Bumblebee-

Good music is a blessing to us all.  Make a class favorite playlist or a family favorites list.  Make some fun props to go with the songs.  Remember that some songs are movements songs, some songs are quiet-time songs, and some songs are in between.  Think about having a family sing-along to end your preschool year.  It is a nice thing to have class favorites no matter your grade level, so good sing-alongs are for any age really.

How do you send home your student work samples that you've collected over the school year?  Share in the comments so that we can all gain new ideas.  I made paper poster names (Printshop) and glued them to a full sized paper grocery bag.  Everything slid in well and was ready to send home at the end of the year. 

So now, a little of this, and a little of that--

In the classroom or in the home it is good to bring out creativity in young children.  Start to gather "Stuff" to  play with and create with for your children to play with and explore.  (Shhh! Adults like this too.)

"Stuff"---

• buttons
• fabric
• nuts and bolts
• covered wire
• scrap paper
• old magazines
• waxed paper
• foil
• Paints, watercolors, tempera, liquid watercolors
• paint brushes
• paint sponges
• cotton balls
• cereal boxes
• tape
• glue
• staples and a stapler
• rubber bands
• the list is endless

Let the creativity begin and continue.  There is no right way to make something.  There is just an idea.  Will this work? Can you make a trap for flies?  Can you make a bracelet?  Can you make a garage for you car?  The possibilities are endless.

Play dough is fun for all ages.  I suggest the non-cook Kool Aid recipe.

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 packages of unsweetened Kool Aid (provides colors and smell)

Mix all dry ingredients together.

Add:

4 TBS vegetable oil

1 - 2 cups boiled water (The amount needed seems to vary on batch...start with a cup and add water until you stir and get a dough like texture.)

Store in an airtight container.

You may add a 1 tsp of Alum if you have some.  You may add some glitter to the dry ingredients. A little sparkle may bring new interest.  Addition fun--add buttons to the new play dough see what happens, hide plastic gems, small rocks, make a batch to put seeds in to see what happens.

As this 18-19 year come to a close make a list of all the new things your child(ren) can do that in August of last year they couldn't do?  Can s/he ask for turn?  Can s/he hold a pencil?  Write his or her name?  I'll be the list is long and there is much to celebrate.  

Progress has been made a little here, a little there, take time to notice and celebrate!

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie

PS.  Water play, water play, water play!