When we can't go off to see the world, maybe do it with Rooster and Eric Carle

Good Wednesday to you all.  I think that anyone reading this is at home today and not with their class because of the virus.  Yesterday I had my granddaughter and we read some books that were in my last Scholastic order.  In all my years as a mom and as a preschool teacher I had never read Eric Carle's Rooster's Of to See the World.  It's copyrighted date is 1972.  I was shocked.  How could I have never seen this book?  Well, I hadn't and when I sent Maya to pick a book to read here it was and I was excited to read it to her. 

 
We had the best time.  We can't head off to see the world right now, but we joined Rooster and so did a few other animals.  It is a math book with Eric Carle's magic artwork and wonderful story telling.  Maya is three headed to four and she was delighted with this book.

As I read the book, I could see a great circle time story activity so I'm writing today to share.   I suggest a headband (maybe a mask when we have the virus long gone) or an animal on a stick so that one child could be the rooster and other children could be the other animals.  Acting out stories engages children in a whole new way.  The props would also be good as a center or addition to your classroom library.  So I'm sure you'll have a vision of your own about how you'd work the storytelling time, but I'm so sad that I didn't have this book in my collection until retirement.  Add it to your collection now.  While you are away and at home ---order felt,  or card stock, to make puppets on sticks or headbands to use for acting out the story. Practice reading the story and think about how many times you'll read this before adding the props. 

At the end of the book everyone heads back home.  That is were we are today.  Home is a good place to be, we hope and pray.  Touch base with your kiddos.  Touch base your families.  Enjoy your downtime or hectic time at home. 

OOOOOh, I just had another idea.  You could also do a bit of research on each animal and set up a mini study on each or the animals.  You could even make a framework for a what we've learned about book.  This could be that "extra time" you've been waiting for and good "work at home" work to do.

I would love for my blog to be a place we can share ideas too.  Cece Peru, if you read this, share your wonderful storytelling live adventure.  You all are full of ideas.  Please comment and share when you have an idea to share,

Wishing you well,
Teacher Debbie

Spring Break Time Again

Where I am at almost all of the school are having spring break.  Some are having extend breaks because of this virus thing.  I'm writing today to find bright spots in this time when we are all hoping to stay well.
One year I had an aunt of a student ask what she could do to help in my classroom.  She really wanted to help, but she wasn't comfortable working with my preschoolers.  She asked if she could help with the laundry or some type of cleaning.  So I thought about how helpful it would be if she could come early on Tuesdays and Thursdays, before pick up, and wash the Legos, scissors, and disinfect puzzles, tables, and chairs.  That ideas was just perfect for her and what a gift it was to my assistant and to me.  That year those disinfected chairs, puzzles, clean Legos and such, really kept us all well.  Being a preschool classroom, we did have a cleaning routine, but this auntie helped us rotate toys more often and gave us time on the days she was there to have some connecting after class, because she had done it for us when we were all on the playground. It made such a difference that I asked for a volunteer to do it each year from then on until I left my classroom teaching position.
What are you doing in your classroom to include families?  What are you doing to keep germs at bay?  Can you put the two together and come out with a win for all?
Over long weekends, extended spring breaks, or times like this can you find away to involve your families in ways to help their child and feel more connected to your classroom?  How about a quick email to your families offering list of things to do at home?  A play dough recipe or two to try?  Making blocks out of empty food boxes, playing simple games, reading books in new voices, counting how many birds are in the yard?  So many adults remember school worksheets and are unaware of the easy to make and do activities that cost little or nothing to do and have such great value to a young child and their developing brain.
Now teachers and parents think about what you can do to feed your spirits while you might have a bit more time at home than planned.  For instance, leave an idea or two about things you do to boost and fill your spirit in the comment section of this blog.
I was made aware of a chance to be a guest blogger and it is a wonderful site.  I suggest you check out their Facebook page and blog.  Transforming Early Childhood Education.  Here is the link to their blog. https://transformingece.com/blog/2020/3/12/more-music-please
My blog post was their post today.  I am honored.

Wishing you well,
Teacher Debbie