Let your light shine!!

Even after all of the times we practiced this song for Family Night, the children still request to sing it. Today we sang it again and added other verses, When we go to Kindergarten, I'm going to let it shine. When we go to Tanganyika, I'm going to let it shine. When we leave preschool, I'm going to let it shine. They kept coming up with more verses. We also discussed what it means to "let our light shine" - talk about abstract thinking. Not an easy one for young children to understand, but they did have some interesting insights about it. And as we come to the end of the school year, a great song to take with you and remember!

We are very thankful for all families that choose to have their child attend Hesston College Preschool. I've just completed 11 years here and have thoroughly enjoyed this community and getting to know all of the families through the years. One bonus of my job is getting to know numerous families and especially those who have several children attend - some up to 6 years! 
Again, it's kind of sad when those eras come to an end. 

Thanks to you all for your commitment and support of our preschool program but mostly, for desiring that your child(ren) receive early childhood learning experiences. The Hesston College's tagline is, Start Here, Go Everywhere and we believe that is true for the children who start preschool here - they will go everywhere! (This was not an intentional plug for the college..... :)) 

Many blessings for future learning and success!

http://www.hollychristine.net/

Last day of MWF

Happy trails to you, until we meet again. 

Saying goodbye to the MWF class is always bittersweet for me. I've had most of the children for 2 years, some just 1 year and I know they are growing up and moving on, but we've shared special times together and it's sad to see them go. It is such a privilege for me to teach - facilitating learning at preschool! I don't want this to sound cliche, but this truly is my best job ever. 

This day was full of "lasts" and the children were very aware of this -- busy trying to fit everything in -- one last time. 

"teaching" at the same time. Ms. Danielle had to dual focus.

group hug for Ms. Meredith - she had to leave early for Bel Canto practice.

Please come visit the preschool anytime! (except this Summer)

Last of day of TR preschool!

It's kind of strange to think about summer break already when you have tornado threats one day and wearing jackets the next. Gotta love Kansas weather. All but 2 from the class will return to preschool next year. 
Here is what we did on the last day of TR preschool -- 

Snipping strips of paper and putting on sticky paper for art. 

Some house area play.

Busy play in the block area.

A selfie stick pic to close the day.

Have a great summer - see you in August!!

switching roles

Children become teachers and teachers become children. 

A good switch, right? I typically have children who imitate being a teacher and today that happened again, and there were teachers who were willing to become children. The switching of roles always fascinates me. The (children) teachers pretend to write on the white board, hold a book and "read" the story, and "tell the children what to do...." Today was no different except that they wanted the iPad too, to watch animal videos we've been watching during circle times. 

In this case,
there are 2 teachers and they shared the role
quite nicely. Each taking a turn.
And the (real) teacher was asking
the child teacher great questions about the
animal video they were watching.
Super. Super Cool!!

childhood

Facebook

The preschool is not on Facebook, but the College's Marketing/Communications department agreed to having a little blurb about us on the college's Facebook page.  

With hands clasped above their heads to symbolize the sun, Hesston College Preschool students sing “Sunny Kansas” and other songs with other actions during the program portion of Preschool Family Night, an annual end of the year celebration, April 7. The Family Night tradition – 28 years running – starts with sharing a meal together. Families bring potluck food and enjoy spending time together. Then the students present a short program. A slide show of preschool activities is shared as well as the two preschool sessions singing favorite songs from class. Each preschool class receives certificates for attending preschool for one or two years. Some families are ending their time with the preschool and have had two to three children attend college preschool. Preschool staff are grateful for their commitment and support of the preschool. Families always enjoy this special event and are pleased with their child’s learning experiences at Hesston College Preschool.

that's a wrap!

We wrapped recycling up last week by flattening all of the boxes, plastic, etc. and stuffing in bags to take over to the large recycling trash can across the street. The children reeeeeaaaaaallllyyy enjoyed jumping, stomping and smashing the boxes and all. 

It's a smash and stomp party!

In the recycling trash they go!

Thank you again for all of the recyclables
you brought - it was a fun week using them in the house area. 

r.e.c.y.c.l.e.

I introduced "The Recycling Song" to the children - here is the link if you'd like to watch and learn the song too.

http://www.childrenoftheearth.org/recycling-for-kids/recycle-movie/recycle-song-movie-laurel-school.htm

The house area was transformed into a grocery store this week. Thanks for all of the boxes, plastic jugs, etc.. that you brought - they are definitely being put to good use. 

These guys have the grocery shopping down.

Waiting in line - I think they need to open up another register.
One of the cashiers would say, "Next, please!" when 
there was an opening in the line. (You can tell they've been shopping before)

These guys called this structure "recycling" -  I guess the animals
and other objects inside are going to be recycled. 

Singing along to the video - The recycle song!
I think they listened to it 4 times!!

Friday teenager chicks (bigger than Monday baby chicks)

Today we had teenager chicks - Monday we had baby chicks. These soon to be HENS today were a little more challenging to handle. They were beautiful, but had sharper claws, were plumper, flapped their wings a little more and weren't as laid back as Monday baby chicks. The "chick whisperer" from Monday decided baby chicks are her thing -- teenager chicks were too hard to handle. ha ha  :)  :) 
They were still enjoyable and provided endless entertainment throughout the morning.
Here are their names: Black Hillary, Tiny, Lake Michigan, and Spotted Sunlight.

The owner of the teeny bopper chicks giving instructions. 

Lake Michigan.

The owner calming Lake Michigan

We tried going outside of the box and
there were multiple accidents, so back in the box they went!

Tiny tried to escape, but not for long.
Owner was prepared and gave the teens several stern lectures
about staying in their box. 
Even clapping her hands to make a point.

FREEEEEDDDDOOOOMMMMM!!!
We took them on the playground with us.
Black Hillary escaped through the fence 
and it was Ms. Larisa to the rescue.
Silly Black Hill. 

This chick is a pro at handling the chicks.

Lake Michigan feels right at home. 

Spotty Sunlight balancing on her fingers...
she's a natural.

Thursday KIDS (goats)!

We had kids come visit the preschool. Goat kids. They were born in February and stayed on the playground so we wouldn't have to clean up potty in the classroom. And boy could they "bleeeeeaaaaaat"!!!!! Goodness. The children really enjoyed petting these KIDS. 

Monday baby chicks!

This week we had several hands-on experiences with live animals in the preschool. Bringing the farm to the preschool. What great experiences they were. Most of the children really enjoyed it while others were a little apprehensive about the animals.

On Monday one family shared smaller chicks. These little guys and gals were darling little things - easy to pick up and cute as can be. You know when something is so cute you just want to eat it up? Oh. Hmm. That's awkward.
I didn't tell the children why we raised chicks on our farm......for the eggs, of course! :) 

Most of the children handled the chicks pretty well. I did have to give the chicks a break in my office - they seemed to be a little overwhelmed with all of the hands touching and holding them.

It was hard to choose just a few chick pictures - so you get a clutch of pictures....

(clutch def from the internet - a group of chicks)

The proud owner of these chickies!

This guy got pooped on - it was a little traumatic. :)
He was the only boy who actually held a chick.

I just love the tenderness of this....
precious.

Call this gal if you need to calm a chick down.
She is the official "chick whisperer".
She was able to calmly get this little chickie to go to sleep.
Her chick never cheeped once.
She was as cool as a cucumber.