In Blue Room we did a science experiment with Jelly beans for J week. We started with color sorting, which was a great visual processing exercise for our kids since some of the darker colors look so similar. Then each child picked 5 jelly beans of their choice, all the same color, and put them in a clear cup. They were so curious what would happen to the jelly beans as we added warm water and they started to stir them with a spoon. After a while the children observed that the clear water was turning different colors depending on what color jelly bean they picked. They also realized that the jelly beans were turning white! The beans started to feel different too. We left them overnight to see if the process would continue.
The next day, we saw that the colors had continued to leach out of the beans, so we decided to make jelly bean paint. We added flour to our jelly bean water and it started to get thicker. It smelled so delicious!
The children were excited to see what color it turned into.
We used pompoms in clothes pins as paintbrushes. Some children love sticky projects and some children do not, so these brushes let them choose how much to touch the paint. And our jelly belly paint was definitely sticky!!
A making an awesome design
P loved her sticky paint
D decided to paint with a popsicle stick and G went for more of a splatter paint technique!
B and M searching for the perfect jewel to dress up their letter of the week.
Most of the children were very specific in the type of jewel they were looking for. "We need more hearts" said C and G.
M figuring out that she needed to use glue first and then put her jewels on. M has officially transitioned up from Rose Room. We are very excited to welcome her to Blue Room!
C exploring shaving cream.
With our younger preschool group in the mornings, we have been using our geometric shapes and placing them very carefully on our design cards. The children worked really hard to finish their pictures. This builds spatial awareness as we see how shapes fit together to make a whole, as well as fine motor skills. It's hard work to put the tiles down without bumping the others out of place! Of course the children are welcome to create their own designs with these blocks as well.
D working on his car and G working on her fish. It is neat to hear the children say the color or shape that they are looking for and see their friend help them out from across the table. "Here G, I found a green one." -D "Thank you for the triangle." -G
In Pre-K, the children are trying to learn the balance between doing good work and not rushing through it, but not dragging it out too long either. We have a big group of Pre-Ks and they have really grown in their coloring skills and letters this year!
G, A, and A working on their letter Z tree.
We love to cook as a group. Here we are making zucchini bread for Z week!
K stirring and everyone else counting.While peeling and grating the zucchini, we talked about different fruits and vegetables we like and which ones need peeling vs. which ones can be eaten whole. It was a great compare-and-contrast exercise and an opportunity to practice our listening skills as everyone contributed to the discussion!
Everyone counting for C.
S stirring the zucchini bread.
The children were so excited to eat the zucchini bread - we put the batter into cupcakes so it would cook faster. Yummy! Feel free to bake at home with your children. They love to measure and stir and really enjoy the process of baking from start to finish. If you need recipes, let us know and we'll be happy to share!
Hugs,
Teacher Kristina & Teacher Thaovy
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