The Doctor is in!

This week the house area was transformed into a Doctor's office and a preschool parent (who is a nurse) graciously gave us several items to use for "dress up". Ms. Naomi and Ms. Rachel set up the Doctor's office with syringes, gloves, stethoscopes, bandages, etc.... Let the pretending begin!!

Ms. Rachel was the patient. Lucky her.

She's still not well...poor Ms. Rachel. 

Taking care of the baby. 

Ms. Rachel is one sick teacher!

Looks like the Doctor is ready for surgery!

This Doctor does house calls. 

K-9 Elsa visit!

We enjoyed another visitor today - Elsa the K-9 dog! Mr. Colt works for the North Newton PD and brought Elsa along. We learned a lot about a police dog - they go with the police officer wherever they go, they live at the police officer's home, the dog and owner have to go through special training, the police officer talks to the dog in German; she follows his commands!

He talked to us about all of the things
he carries on his belt. 

We got to pet Elsa; she was friendly.

This gal has dogs at home,
so Elsa really wanted to sniff her!!

Colt showed us how Elsa catches her
favorite toy. She was a good listener and catcher!

The back of his police car is where Elsa
stays. She even has a water bowl!

This guy was proud to show off Elsa.

And Colt gave us Jr. Police Officer badge stickers to take home!

Friday visitor!

Another exciting day at preschool. Sergeant Chris Carter from HPD visited us during circle time. We actually came up with questions to ask him to learn more about what he does as a police officer. Then we got to see his police car. It was a pretty cool day!

The list of questions that we asked Sgt Carter.

Answering all of our great questions.

His radio had different channels - so he could
talk to the Newton Fire Department
if he had to.

Lights and sirens are always cool!

Our class in front of the cruiser!

Thursday visitor

How exciting to have a community helper visit our class - Mr. Deputy Sheriff of Harvey County! The children were in awe, unsure and a little speechless about the whole thing. Tim was dressed in his Sheriff's uniform and I assured the children that he wears his uniform when he's working and regular clothes when he's at home. Sometimes seeing a person in uniform frightens children because they don't perceive it as a real person, but someone who is different or scary. 

He had all kinds of interesting
things on his vest. 

He had a cool flashlight.

Anyone want to try lifting the vest?

It was very heavy!

Use those muscles! 

This little guy's dad is the Sheriff Deputy.

This is how someone rode to preschool today.

Inside the Sheriff's car (or cop car!)

He turned the lights and sirens on!!

We were so excited to get outside that
Ms. Larisa forgot to put coats on!
(We weren't outside too long...)

Community Helpers

We have been learning a lot about Community Helpers. I set up the house area as a police station since they are one of many Community Helpers. It's been interesting to watch to see how children act as a police officer. It makes me realize what stereotypes we have of them - they catch the bad people, which they do, but they also do a lot of other things. Because of this, I encouraged the children to focus on helping people and discouraged guns and jail. It worked pretty well with only a few reminders. They got pretty creative with scenarios and ways to help people. They did write tickets to people who weren't walking in preschool or forgot to pick up a toy, and speeding (of course!). 

They got right to work. Paper work. 

Punching tickets to hand out.

Everyone has to wear some type of dress
up clothes to be a police officer.

This "police chief" is off to take care
of a situation.....

Pretending to type on his computer.
This guy had marvelous ideas
and created scenarios very fitting for what a
police officer may have to deal with! 

Sunny Kansas!

There's a catchy little tune that we are singing this week: Sunny Kansas! 
This Sunday, Jan 29 will be Kansas's 156 birthday! Wow! 
This week we are learning all about the symbols of Kansas: song, flower, animal, tree, insect, etc. Ask your child about it - hopefully they will remember all of the symbols. They of course know all about the team symbols (Jayhawks and Wildcats). 
Here are the words to the song Sunny Kansas, so you can sing along! 

Sunny Kansas

(Tune: The More We Get Together)

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, sunny Kansas, sunny Kansas.

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, the best state of all.

Where it rains some and snows some, cyclones come, and it blows some.

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, the best state of all.

Happy New Year!

We are back in the groove of a New Year! The children (and parents too....) were ready to get back at it! 

I added something new and exciting to the sensory table and the children have really been enjoying it! The recipe is easy and can be found at: 
http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/11/snow-dough-recipe-for-winter-sensory.html

And there was a lot of other things going on too....

Ms. Rachel reading to us (Ms. Rachel is
in the preschool M T W R).


Building elaborate structures

                                      

Dressing up 

These shapes are called WEDGITS and they are super cool.
There are numerous ways to put them together.
This guy was very creative and patient --there were
several tumbles and crashes, but he kept at it!!

Different designs.