Searching for Treasure

I love my job!

I get to spend a lot of time exploring my community with the families 

that come to the program.

One of my favourite outings is to the ship wrecks.

It's fun to pretend that they are pirates' ships wrecked on the beach.

Could there be treasure here?

We went hunting.

We found a clue hidden in a stump.

It was in a glass bottle sealed with a cork.

Once I read the clue the children figured out where to go.

The next clue took us out to the rocks where we found jewels.

Still no treasure but the hunt got us running all around the beach.

Off to find clue number 4.

By this time, as I read the clues, the children were thinking carefully

about the words and where they might go next.

Our last clue - where is the wall?  Can you see any roots?

They found it under the roots of a big tree marked with an 'x'.

They pulled it out and we gathered around to open the box.

Happy pirates sharing the loot.

Happy pirates on the beach, so much fun.

Stay tuned to learn more about the activities that inspired our 

treasure hunt clues.

Butterflies

Our butterflies have emerged and they have inspired us 

to create our own butterflies.

Old fashioned clothespegs and crepe streamers.

No glue, no scissors needed.

Choose your colours, lay them out and rip.

Squeeze them into the opening of the clothespeg,

squishing them tight so they stay in.

Decide how long your wings will be.

You can rip them to make them shorter

or fold them under.

Next, decorate.

Draw designs on the wings,

use the hot glue gun to add some bling

or just draw a happy face.

Ta da!

Time to fly!

Snack - Tortilla Chips and Dip

We made a very simple snack today.

We started by cutting soft tortillas.

We tried to use cookie cutters but it was really difficult 

so we switched to knives to cut

and our hands to rip.

Then I lightly covered the tortillas with cooking spray

and a gentle sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

They baked at 350 for about 15 minutes.

While the tortillas baked we made a dip using cool whip

and raspberry jam.

Simple and delicious.

The tortillas were crisp and easy to dip.

A package of tortillas make a lot of chips 

so we will be making more tomorrow.

Big Pirate Play

The beginnings of our pirate boat.

 Not too big but fun to play in.

We found this great image that helped us design our ship.

Then I found some cardboard and brought in a few pieces 

to build the ship's helm.

 This part use to be a propeller on our plane.

It came off and the wheel was put in its place.

We set up cardboard to look like the front of the ship,

the back part is open so they walk in.

Out of the side a plank was added.

One child suggested an anchor so we made one using a pool noodle.

Inside the ship is a crank to wind it in.

All ready for play.

This pirate really got into the treasure and wanted to bury it.

I suggested she could use our scarves.

She buried it but I asked how anyone would know what is buried?

So she marked it with an 'x'.

A few more props were added.

Searching for treasure?

But its buried at the bottom of the sea.

And these pirates discovered a map and negotiated where they were going.

Soon we head to the beach to search for treasure.