Pop-pop-POP!

One thing I love about young children is their fascination with new things. They are easily entertained. Maybe we've just seen things too many times to really stop and appreciate it. I brought in my air-popcorn popper from home and we made popcorn for snack on Thursday and Friday. They were very excited with the process of corn kernels popping and spewing into a big bowl. 
Such excitement!! With melted butter and salt added, it was quite tasty! 

wood and glue!

What could be better then wood and glue? 

This week our focus is on shapes and constructing/building with shapes. I inherited a bunch of wood pieces from facilities and my bro-in-law who is a builder, so I bought bottles of wood glue and off we went! It has proven to be a wonderfully creative activity. I'm always fascinated with how children glue wood pieces together -- some glue pieces flat and others glue them more 3-D. Some spend a lot of time doing the activity, while others glue a few pieces and are done. This year I added some other elements to the activity - pipe cleaner pieces and paper shape cut outs. They've added color and texture to the structures.

Two tables were pushed together with lots of paper to cover it,
to catch all of the globby, sticky glue!
And the squeezing starts.......

Carefully placing pieces at the top.
It takes concentration, patience and persistence!
Sometimes Ms. Larisa had to help
assist to keep all the pieces together. :)

Finished structure. Lots of detail here!

Both sessions worked with it.

Ta-da! A piece of art!!

Lots of glue - puddles and puddles!

9 different pieces of wood he used!

We will try to display these structures
in some way so you all can enjoy them too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had every intention of snapping some pictures of the children putting their Valentine's in friend's bags, but it got busy and that didn't happen, but the children did LOVE to give and receive these special cards. It's neat to see how excited they get over Valentine's. Too bad it only happens once a year....
I enjoy seeing the creativity with the various cards that are brought. Thank goodness for pinterest, right? :) 

We love your children - they are special to us!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

making Valentine's

Every year during the week of Valentine's Day,  I set up a "Valentine station" in the house area of the classroom. I provide paper heart shapes, valentine's, stamps, markers and envelopes. The children then create unique and special valentine's for whoever they would like. It often is for their parents. A teacher is available to help write words if needed.

Firefighter on Friday

I am a little tardy in posting pictures from last Friday's visit from the firefighter.
Here you go!!

What he looks like before all of the gear goes on.

After.

He sounded kind of funny with the oxygen mask on,
but we still knew it was him!

Giving high-fives!!

A little blurry,
but the only picture with dad and daughter I captured.
She knew all of the right answers.... :) 

mr. firefighter

The children were fascinated with having a real firefighter visit our class. We were thrilled to have a preschoolers dad come and visit our class. He is a firefighter for Sedgwick County, but lives in Hesston. 

The children were very attentive and 

remembered all of the things he taught us: 

• If your clothes catch on fire, stop - drop - and roll! (and cover your face) 
• Don't touch matches or lighters (tell an adult) 
• Make a safety plan at home (decide where you will meet outside of your house) 
• Check smoke detectors 
• Check a door to feel if it's hot (backside of your hand), and 
• Call 911 if someone is hurt or needs help!!

The firefighter put on his gear and he sounded and looked kind of funny, but he was still a person underneath all of that stuff. 

High-fives for the firefighter!!

firefighters to the rescue!

It has been an exciting week at preschool - more firetrucks to play with and one that makes noises, firefighter hats to wear, pretend hoses to spray water and new flashy vests, plus, most importantly a visit from a real firefighter! Such a thrill for young children. 

Firefighters to the rescue!!