Preschool News ~ Week of October 26, 2015

Last week we started our new unit “Life on a Farm”. During our group discussions the children were able to identify a variety of animals that live on a farm (cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, horses, chicks, etc.) as well as the different fruits and vegetables that can be harvested.  The children enjoyed sharing personal stories about experiences when visiting local farms (i.e. going on hayrides, apple and pumpkin picking).

For a special activity this week the children enjoyed making Pumpkin Seeds.  We opened up a BIG orange pumpkin, explored the inside contents, dug out all the seeds and then we baked them.  Yum Yum!!

We read the story “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” written by Linda Williams.

In this book, there is a little old lady who goes for a walk in the forest.  On her way home, she sees various clothing items that make noises, but she is not afraid.

The shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP.

The pants went WIGGLE, WIGGLE.

The shirt went SHAKE, SHAKE.

The gloves went CLAP, CLAP.

The tall black hat went NOD, NOD.

  She walked faster after seeing and hearing each item.  She was just about home when she saw a pumpkin head.  The pumpkin head went BOO, BOO!!

For our circle activity, we sequenced the story using picture cards (that matched the story) as well as making all the noises with the actions.

Home-School Connection

Explore Pumpkins!!  Carve out a pumpkin and save a few seeds, dry them and set them aside until spring.  In the spring, plant them in your garden or yard and hopefully by summer time you will have a nice pumpkin plant

Sensory Table - Cracked Corn

"We have to fill the silo to feed the animals"

Writing Center - Creating a farm scene
with markers, crayons and animal stickers

Working together to build gear towers

"Look at how tall our tower is"
"You have to hold it like this so it doesn't fall"

Exploring the inside of a PUMPKIN
(Scooping out the SEEDS and PULP)

Looking at the inside of a pumpkin
with a magnifying glass