Catching Up

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile, I am having problems with the program I use.

              Here's a glimpse into what we have been doing for the past week.

We made french toast shaped like a triangle.

Then decorated it like a tree.

We painted triangle trees using pipecleaners dipped in paint.

We attached clothespins to the ends for handles.

Our sensory bin contained white rice, scoops, little bowls, fake cranberries and Christmas lights.

The children made tarts that looked good enough to eat.

Our light table has an outline of a tree with lots of sparkly gems to decorate it.

And I watched while this child and his grandmother piece together tubes.

He played with how some of them slipped easily over top of others.

He was able to balance all the tubes before he took them apart.

Gingerbread Man StoryWalk

              Today, with our big buddies, we went on a StoryWalk in the school.
                  
      
While we were in the gym the grade 5s set up the storywalk of the Gingerbread Man
                                      then came and got us.
       
                  The children walked from page to page reading the story. 
             
The buddies have learned to get down on their little buddies level.  They are becoming great models for reading; pointing at the pictures and emphasizing certain words or phrases.
   
They are exhibiting interest in their little buddy and showing comfort when needed.  This group of boys were interesting to watch as they moved through the story.  One of the older boys brought toy cars with him which he explained he would hand to his little buddy if he needed something to play with.  I was impressed that he was thinking and planning ahead.
    
It was amazing that with over 50 children and adults wondering through the hallway reading the story that they were so quiet, calm and respectful of the other classes.
        
The children collected the characters in the story as they were introduced to them.  This helped keep the youngest children interested in moving on to the next page.
                         
     
                         We ended our time together colouring the pictures.
                                  
The little buddies took the baggie of character pictures home so they can retell the
                                               story with their families.

Build A Tree Puzzle

          This week I made a simple puzzle to challenge the children. 
                   
      I painted tubes green that I had previously cut into varying lengths. 
           The triangle paper was put out for a pattern to follow.
   
                       
I was surprised to see how the first child and her parent built their tree.  Using the tubes to outline the triangle they filled it with the smaller tubes.  Not what I had in mind but it was creative and works.

                        
I saw the next family playing with the tubes, enjoying slipping them inside each other.  I pointed out the paper triangle and asked if they could build a tree by placing the tubes on it.  It took them a few tries, measuring each tube to the next but they did it.
                   
Then today I saw this little one having fun pulling the tubes out of the basket.
                                I guess it is a multi-use toy.

Grand Friends Visit

            This week the Grand Friends came to visit us at school.
                
They arrived while we were in gym so we welcomed them to come and watch.  They really enjoyed watching the children play with the balls and run around.
                  
Slowly, and with some encouragement, the children went over to say hi to each of
the seniors, shaking their hands and introducing themselves.
                         
After gym we went back to the classroom for songs and story.  After singing some songs I handed out little cups of snacks for the children.  There were enough left to offer to the grand friends. 
                               
One child arrived just as the last cup was handed out and she was quite upset that she didn’t get one.  Before I had a chance to do or say anything the grandfather sitting behind her handed her his cup. 
                               
Even though this gentleman didn’t seem to be too aware or involved with what was going on around him he heard and understood the child’s distress and responded with care.  It was very moving.
                    
The children moved on to play after story time and I asked the care provider that brought them if this was enough or should I organize an activity.  She responded that the seniors love just watching the children.  As I looked around I saw evidence of that in the looks on their faces.
                 
A simple touch, a soft word and a friendly smile brought joy and connection to our families and grand friends.  Each time we get together I’m so appreciative to have this opportunity to bring the two together.

Deck the Halls

Pinterest is great!  So many ideas shared, easy to organize and fun to make your own.  Here’s another idea I found and offered to our families.
        
First Grade Blue Skies made a simple ornament art bulletin board.  I thought it would look great on our new bulletin board in the hallway.
              
 
I had some lick and stick circles from long ago and finally decided to use them.  I don’t know if you can still buy them anymore because some of the parents were encouraging their child to use a glue stick to apply them.  But licking is much more fun.
       
I found paper tape at a dollar store that is easier for the children to pull then cut.  I noticed they use less with this tape then the really sticky tape.
                            
This picture touched me because it shows that many parents in our program really believe it takes a community to raise a child.  This is not her daughter nor is she the caregiver but she saw a child in need and offered to help.
       
Using ribbons and only stapling it at the top allows movement when people walk pass.  Sometimes we walked out to add another ornament and some of the existing ones would be moving and others were backwards.  Kind of like ornaments on a tree.