Day 1 Literacy Week - Reading a Recipe

This Wednesday, January 27th is national Family Literacy Day.  

Our school has decided to provide literacy events all week.

This morning, at StrongStart, I decided we would  bake 

Cranberry Banana Muffins.

This is our recipe ready for the children to read.

We had a small enthusiastic group ready to bake this morning.

They started by adding the applesauce and sugar together.

Then we prepared our bananas.

On the website, Mess for Less, where the recipe for Cranberry Banana Bread is found had their children

mash the banana, in a baggie, with their hands.

 

It's a perfect way.  

The children loved it and the parents were impressed with the idea.

I'm sure a few of them will try it the next time they are baking with bananas.

Next we added the eggs.

Two children had the opportunity to crack open the eggs.

The others were fascinated with the process.

Then they took turns to beat the eggs with our special whisking tool.

We mixed it all together and checked the next ingredient card.

Time to add the flour and baking soda,

dried cranberries and white chocolate chips,

(there was a ripple of excitement when they saw the chocolate)

and do a final mix together.

The easiest way to fill the mini muffin pans is to use a small ice cream scoop.

It's fun and it works their muscles and coordination.

Into the oven for about 15 minutes.

The school smelled wonderful and inviting.

The recipe made 48 mini muffins plus one regular sized muffin.

The taste test from one of the bakers.

They all disappeared so I would say the recipe is a keeper.

 

I left the recipes cards on the snack table,

for those children that arrived after we baked.

Overhead Projector Exploration 2016

The overhead projector is available to use quite often, in our centre, but then other ideas happen and something has to be put away.  That's what happen during November and December so when I brought it out after Christmas break is was like a new toy.

I used pvc pipes to create a frame so I could hang

a sheet for a screen. 

Bare walls are limited in my room so this worked well.

It also works well on the other side so no matter where you are

in the room you can see what is happening.

It's like enjoying a theatre production.

 

At first the children explored the light, turning it on and off.

Then the parents encouraged them to use their hands and helped them connect what they were doing and what was being seen on the screen.

We learned that what was put on the glass was the opposite

of what we saw on the big screen.

Then they began to explore with materials provided in baskets

in front of the projector.

I soon noticed other toys from around the room were

finding their way to the projector.

We began to see stories unfold.

This was the beginning of our light and shadow exploration.

For two weeks the children would revisit the overhead projector

using whatever caught their interest from around the room.

Another Simple Toy from the Thrift Store

An old paper towel roll holder and a basket of bracelets.

 

Sorting, stacking, choosing, placing

and tossing.

 

                                  Great eye hand coordination practice

Simple, cheap and fun.

The Mitten as a StoryWalk

Yesterday was our Outside Day for the month, 

 we visited the park with the Leprechaun Tree.

I prepared the book The Mitten by Jan Brett for our StoryWalk.

I picked the story for the variety of animals that are in it

and that they burrow into the mitt, 

connecting it to what we are learning in the classroom.

Our walk started in the rain but it didn't stop the enthusiasm of about 

a dozen children from coming out.

Like every StoryWalk we have done the children are excited 

to run from page to page.

I'm always impressed that they do stop and wait at each page.

As we read the story I introduced props.

The first was the white mittens.

Each child took a turn carrying the mitten from page to page.

I was at a conference on the weekend and bought the felt story of The Mitten

and used those pieces to stuff in the mitten.

Each was clipped to the back of the page that they were introduced.

After reading the page the children confirmed which animal should be behind

the page.

Then I'd bring it out and we'd squish it into the mitt.

The children began to investigate the back of the pages before we got there.

They were ready to help tell the story since they knew the animal coming.

What I love about doing StoryWalks every month is that the children

are practicing reading.

I see them finger tracing the words and telling me what they think it says.

By reading the pictures they are predicting what the story is about,

what is happening 

and what is going to happen next.

So much learning happens during a StoryWalk.

What Other Animals Burrow?

As we were playing with our rabbit warren I picked up this book,

called "Who Lives Here?'

The book shows many animals that live in a burrow.

It inspired our next step in learning.

We took down our big rabbit warren and in it's place we created

mini burrows for many animals.

With the children's help we thought of clues to describe which

animal would be in each burrow.

With each animal in their new home and clues to read aloud,

the families play and learn together.

I find it exciting when a lesson unfolds.

I believe if we keep our minds open, our eyes watchful

and listening to what is being said then

delivering a program becomes organic.