Monday, September 29, 2014

Petco Field Trip

Hi Blue Room Family and Friends,

We ventured on another walking field trip, this time to Petco. We were in search of some new fish for our classroom fish tank and also a new heater. The children and Teacher Thaovy had much discussion over what kind of fish we should get. The final vote was for fancy guppies.


During circle time we were talking about what we needed to do to get ready for the fancy guppies and one of the children asked how we were going to get them. And another child said with money. So we talked about dollars and coins and took a look at what money looked like and whose faces where in the middle. I gave them a couple hints to help them guess and one of my hints was that they were people who were very important and made a difference in our country. One of the children said, "mommies and daddies!!" It made me smile! The children decided that they needed to make their own dollars and coins to bring with us to Petco to buy our fancy guppies. The children made all different dollar amounts and used scissors to cut out their coins.


With money in hand and in pockets we set out the next day on our walking field trip. All of the children did great holding hands as we focus very much on safety.


The children instantaneously noticed their shadows and so did I. :)


Cheese! We are almost there!


There was a young man named Eli who showed us so many awesome animals and told us many fun facts about the birds. This was a very young bird that needed to spend so much time bonding with its caregiver that he sat on Eli's shoulder the entire time we were at the pet store.








N found the fish tanks! Very excited to find the fancy guppies the children kept pointing and asking, "is this a fancy guppy?"


Wow look at all the gold fish in these tanks. These were what they call feeder fish, that are basically used to feed other creatures.


Eli showed the children a chameleon, which was the book we read before we left school that morning.


SNAKE!!


One of the highlights - the Chewbacca squeaky toy!


All the children picked out the colored fancy guppy that they wanted and we got them packed up.


The children were so excited to check out and pay with the money that they made special for their fancy guppies. Eli counted all of their money and even gave them change back. It was such a neat experience and I apologize in advance if your children try to make fake money and buy something with it. But I never want to stop a creative mind! :)


All smiles! Thank you so much to all the parents who chaperoned the field trip. It was such an amazing learning experience for the children and it has kicked off their interest in the ocean and what is in the sea. Stop by our classroom and see the bios your children wrote about their fancy guppies and their stories about their under-the-sea art.

Hugs,

Teacher Kristina and Teacher Thaovy

Monday, September 22, 2014

Petting ZOO

Hi Blue Room Family and Friends



Our friends were very excited to see the petting zoo again! There were some baby bunnies that were new to the bunch that snuggled in the basket. Cruiser the turtle came back, the Guinea pigs, chickens and new to us was Mary the goat. The children asked a lot about the donkey Henry who came last time.


The children decided to brush the turtles shell.


N petting the chickens very gently.


N and E petting Mary the goat.


J, L, and M checking out the baby bunnies.


J brushing Mary the goat.


M said, "the guinea pigs are very fast, way faster than the goat!"


M checking out cruiser.


A loved the turtle cruiser


G being very gentle with Mary the goat.

We Loved the Petting Zoo and anxiously await till next summer to see them again!

Hugs,

Teacher Kristina and Teacher Thaovy



Monday, September 15, 2014

Light and Shadows

Hello Blue Room Families and Friends,

It has been an awesome summer and thank you all for being so supportive when I left to go on my trip. Thank you to Teacher Brooke for filling in for me and to Teacher Thaovy also! The children had a great time and explored and learned a lot about light, shadows, and reflections too. Here are some things that happened in August while I was on my trip.


G exploring foil - making a boat


M making a foil masterpiece.


L making a silver man


Wow, look at our shadows - the children were very excited to see how big they looked.


A checking out her shadow.


I putting different colored magnetiles in front of the light to see what would happen.


It showed up red.


N and M coloring with chalk


Practicing our names to write on our cubbies.


M and P building with magna-formers on the light table.


The children painted a frame around the foil and then poked holes in the foil with tacs. The children used flashlights to see if the light would shine through the tiny holes.


L and M making lanterns


A couple months ago the children started to show interest in candles after a couple of their friends in the class went to a candle making place called Glow in downtown Willow Glen. The children picked a couple different colors and all the things they would need to make candles of their own.


I helping the wax melt.


Time to fill the candles. The children were very excited to show me their candles when I came back and they also had made me one. I was very excited!

We said goodbye to the rest of our friends going to Kindergarten and TK. And we also have welcomed two new faces J and T.

Hugs,

Teacher Kristina

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sensory and Sunflowers

Hello Blue Room Families and Friends!
This summer the children have been engaging in many different sensory activities. As the name implies, sensory play is designed to engage all of the senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste. Young children are natural born scientists, constantly experimenting and making discoveries about the world around them. One of our room's favorite tactile experiences is "Oobleck," a simple mixture of corn starch and water.




Oobleck




Discovering viscosity




Sharing a tray



Mixing colors




Making playdough





Shaving cream smells great and it washes off easily




Elbow pasta is light weight and feels smooth on the skin. Using tongs to pick small toys out of the pasta is a great way to hone fine motor skills.




I's car changed color in cold water and warm water.





Dried corn, bird seed, and pine pellets all feel, sound, and smell different.




Tacks, balloons, foil, and tissue paper make a beautiful 3D piece of art!





The children's conversation about what they were making and reminding their friends about sharp tacks was so neat to be a part of.





Water color pencils feel cool and a little ticklely on the face.













The children used mirrors to draw on their own faces.









I.W. grew an enormous sunflower at home, it was about 12' tall, then brought it in to share with the class.





He shared pictures of how tall the flower grew.





Then the children got to taste sunflower seeds.





Wow! Seeing all the little sunflower seeds tucked away under the little blossoms.





The flower was very heavy! Thank you, I.W., and mom, for sharing such an amazing plant with us.

Keep the sensory learning going!
Teacher Kristina, Teacher Thaovy, and Teacher Aimee
For some sensory ideas to do at home, please visit http:/www.kidsactivities.about.com. Or http:/www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/