After being gone for 2 weeks, I am finally back. We lost my mother in law last week to non-smokers lung cancer (there is a technical name for it, just can pronounce, let alone spell it). She passed away peacefully with her husband at her side, early on a Monday morning. We made it in time for her to say goodbye to her grandsons, and for them to say "I Love You" to her, which I will always be grateful for. It was a very emotional 2 weeks, and I am grateful to have had that time with our family, but I am glad to be back to the smiling faces and joyous wonders I am lucky enough to get to spend my days with. Thank you to all my families for being sooooooo understanding of our situation. It was a wonderful gift.
Now... we had our 1st official circle time of the new year!! It went great. I have been wondering how it would go, since our age ranges are so vast, but it was wonderful!!! The littlest ones watched in awe as the "big" 4 yr olds sat for the story, sang familiar songs, and got to go to the calendar and move things around. Wow!! When it was their turn to do something... it was unbelievable. They weren't sure what to do, but they loved it!!! I was so caught up with what we were doing, no photos today... sorry.
We then had a walk around the classroom discussion about rules and such... we did a lot of comparing what a 2 yr old can do and what a 4 yr old can do. We talked about things maybe at 4 we don't remember doing at 2. This way the 4 yr olds can be the positive role models I know they are.
We ended our morning with time outside. It was a wonderfully warm day out, they kids kicked off their shoes, dug into the sand, swung on the swings, climbed anything they could find and took a twist on the new tire swing. It was a wonderful morning!!!
On another note... my youngest son went off to his first day of kindergarten today. I had a whole group of children waiting for me when I got home from the bus stop... but I don't think I have ever felt so naked. Just putting him on that bus, watching as a stranger drives him away (he was waving with a huge grin on his face, mind you) to a place I won't be much of a part of. I never felt this way with his brothers, my husband says it's because I always had 1 more at home with me... and I agree... I told him I'm ready to adopt now :)
Hope everyone's first weeks back are going great!!! It's nice to be home.
Showing posts with label kindergarten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindergarten. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Field Trip and Kindergarten
Field Trip Today!!
This morning we took a mini field trip to my Sons Elementary School. He participated in a Living Museum project that the whole 3rd grade performed. Basically it entails each 3rd grader picking a famous person, such as Neil Armstrong, Babe Ruth (My Son), Dale Earnhardt Jr and Sr, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc... and writing a mini report about them. They then get some props, dress like that person and when you walk up to their exhibit there is a little button to push and the child tells you all about "Themselves." It was very cute and came together perfectly!! As a Mom, I am soooo glad it is over. It has been a very long process of research, typing, and memorization. The memorization process being the hardest for my 3rd grader.
The Daycare kids loved it though. We don't get to go on to many field trips, so when we do it is a lot of fun. They enjoyed pressing all the kids buttons and listening to them speak. I think they really liked seeing siblings and older kids from the daycare. But the props kept them interested too, especially the chocolate candy "Bill Gates" gave out to anyone who pushed his button... "Thanks Bill!!" The many "Sacajaweas' " had such beautiful costumes and some had little diorama's that the kids really enjoyed looking at. I think their best part was making my son do his exhibit of Babe Ruth and then touching all the baseball memorabilia. It was a fun time.
My Son's school also happens to be the elementary school that 2 of the daycare students will be going to next year for Kindergarten. Plus, one of our Mom's work there as a Kindergarten teacher!!! I mean sometimes you can't plan something this great!!! So, we combined the trip with a little visit to the Kindergarten Hall and Mrs. R's room!!! My very rambunctious 4 yr olds became little tiny guys in that room.
When we arrived Mrs. R was having Circle Time on the rug. We tiptoed in and found seats in little Kindergarten chairs in the back of the pack (they were too nervous to sit with the big kids on the rug). Except, of course, Mrs. R's son... he sat right with Mom, but was soooo well behaved. I was so proud of him!!! We followed their Smart Board exercises, in learning a word (for), writing a sentence (I bring flowers for my teacher), learning about maps (they put Micky Mouse Ears in Florida and California), and putting money (pennies) into a piggy bank. All on the interactive Smart Board, too cool!!! We stayed for a story, Who Is The Beast? by Keith Baker. My kids stayed right with the story and even shouted out some answers when Mrs. R asked them. Again, I was very proud (except the shouting out part, but hey they are preschoolers after all, they need to learn Something in Kindergarten!!). After that we said our Thank You's and Goodbye's. I wish I could take them there every week :). They enjoyed it very much.
When asked what their favorite part of the morning was, this is what I heard...
B: "Seeing my Mom!!"
R: "Seeing my Brother!!"
L: "Yeah, seeing your Brother"
S: "I liked the Tiger" (from the story)
B: "Yeah, my Mom read that."
R: "Well, I liked my Brother and the bathroom. It had a neat sink"
Why, with little boys does everything come back to the bathroom??!! :)
This morning we took a mini field trip to my Sons Elementary School. He participated in a Living Museum project that the whole 3rd grade performed. Basically it entails each 3rd grader picking a famous person, such as Neil Armstrong, Babe Ruth (My Son), Dale Earnhardt Jr and Sr, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc... and writing a mini report about them. They then get some props, dress like that person and when you walk up to their exhibit there is a little button to push and the child tells you all about "Themselves." It was very cute and came together perfectly!! As a Mom, I am soooo glad it is over. It has been a very long process of research, typing, and memorization. The memorization process being the hardest for my 3rd grader.
The Daycare kids loved it though. We don't get to go on to many field trips, so when we do it is a lot of fun. They enjoyed pressing all the kids buttons and listening to them speak. I think they really liked seeing siblings and older kids from the daycare. But the props kept them interested too, especially the chocolate candy "Bill Gates" gave out to anyone who pushed his button... "Thanks Bill!!" The many "Sacajaweas' " had such beautiful costumes and some had little diorama's that the kids really enjoyed looking at. I think their best part was making my son do his exhibit of Babe Ruth and then touching all the baseball memorabilia. It was a fun time.
My Son's school also happens to be the elementary school that 2 of the daycare students will be going to next year for Kindergarten. Plus, one of our Mom's work there as a Kindergarten teacher!!! I mean sometimes you can't plan something this great!!! So, we combined the trip with a little visit to the Kindergarten Hall and Mrs. R's room!!! My very rambunctious 4 yr olds became little tiny guys in that room.
When we arrived Mrs. R was having Circle Time on the rug. We tiptoed in and found seats in little Kindergarten chairs in the back of the pack (they were too nervous to sit with the big kids on the rug). Except, of course, Mrs. R's son... he sat right with Mom, but was soooo well behaved. I was so proud of him!!! We followed their Smart Board exercises, in learning a word (for), writing a sentence (I bring flowers for my teacher), learning about maps (they put Micky Mouse Ears in Florida and California), and putting money (pennies) into a piggy bank. All on the interactive Smart Board, too cool!!! We stayed for a story, Who Is The Beast? by Keith Baker. My kids stayed right with the story and even shouted out some answers when Mrs. R asked them. Again, I was very proud (except the shouting out part, but hey they are preschoolers after all, they need to learn Something in Kindergarten!!). After that we said our Thank You's and Goodbye's. I wish I could take them there every week :). They enjoyed it very much.
When asked what their favorite part of the morning was, this is what I heard...
B: "Seeing my Mom!!"
R: "Seeing my Brother!!"
L: "Yeah, seeing your Brother"
S: "I liked the Tiger" (from the story)
B: "Yeah, my Mom read that."
R: "Well, I liked my Brother and the bathroom. It had a neat sink"
Why, with little boys does everything come back to the bathroom??!! :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Should I Worry?
I love reading other Preschool Blogs or Childcare Blogs, because I usually find that they are thinking or worrying about the same things as I am. I got on the computer this morning and saw Teacher Tom's new post and smiled. Last night, as I lay in bed, I was thinking about the 3 children in my care that are going off to Kindergarten... are they ready?? Please go over to Teacher Tom's and take a look. Also, Deborah at Excellence in Early Childhood Education, has sooo much insight and information for both Parents and Teachers... and Deborah has so many great links... pop over and take a look!!!
On Friday a sibling came in at pick up time, we began talking about Homework... She asked me why I didn't send home "homework" for her brother. This is something I have spent a long time thinking about. I know the kids sometimes want to "do homework" when their siblings are doing theirs... but this is what I said, "Well, I think that we do sooo much learning during the day, and they have 12 years of homework in front of them, I wanted to save all that wonderful anticipation they have for homework for their Kindergarten Teacher and the homework she will need to send home :)" She shook her head, but it was her Mom who smiled and said, "Yeah."
I have had Parent's ask for homework, but I feel that the kids need play, running, and the anticipation of school. I send home little books for the kids to "read" to their families, or if we are doing a special color or letter I send home a note asking them to go on a scavenger hunt at home for something to go with the color or letter. Other than that I don't feel it is necessary for me to do more than that.
I want the children in my care to be able to experience being a kid. Introducing them to the "academic" part of it is great, but ultimately they will learn all they need to in Kindergarten. Having an environment that provides for learning in a playful style is the key for me. We can have a great time, and we learn in the process. Providing them with a place to experiment and make mistakes, learn when to sit still and when to run and jump, to problem solve, question, and be happy.
When the children go off to Kindergarten, I am confident that they will be happy, smart, and well adjusted kids. They will leave knowing what they need to know, and if they don't know it they will have the skills to figure it out, and the confidence to ask for help if they need it.
On Friday a sibling came in at pick up time, we began talking about Homework... She asked me why I didn't send home "homework" for her brother. This is something I have spent a long time thinking about. I know the kids sometimes want to "do homework" when their siblings are doing theirs... but this is what I said, "Well, I think that we do sooo much learning during the day, and they have 12 years of homework in front of them, I wanted to save all that wonderful anticipation they have for homework for their Kindergarten Teacher and the homework she will need to send home :)" She shook her head, but it was her Mom who smiled and said, "Yeah."
I have had Parent's ask for homework, but I feel that the kids need play, running, and the anticipation of school. I send home little books for the kids to "read" to their families, or if we are doing a special color or letter I send home a note asking them to go on a scavenger hunt at home for something to go with the color or letter. Other than that I don't feel it is necessary for me to do more than that.
I want the children in my care to be able to experience being a kid. Introducing them to the "academic" part of it is great, but ultimately they will learn all they need to in Kindergarten. Having an environment that provides for learning in a playful style is the key for me. We can have a great time, and we learn in the process. Providing them with a place to experiment and make mistakes, learn when to sit still and when to run and jump, to problem solve, question, and be happy.
When the children go off to Kindergarten, I am confident that they will be happy, smart, and well adjusted kids. They will leave knowing what they need to know, and if they don't know it they will have the skills to figure it out, and the confidence to ask for help if they need it.
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