Story - The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

This is one of my favourite stories, I've been telling it for a long time. And I especially like to tell it at this time of year.
It is based on the book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams.

Sign of the week - scared, happy

This week we are beginning our Hallowe'en activities so I thought it would be a good time to introduce some emotion signs.
When you are signing any emotion sign it is very important to show the same emotion on your face and with your body so the meaning is clear.
Here is the how-to for 'scared' and 'happy'.

Our song for the week is one of my favourites "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow"

Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

When all the cows are sleeping and the sun has gone to bed, up jumps the scarecrow and this is what he says
"I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat,
I can shake my hands like this and stamp my feet like that.”

When all the hens are roosting and the moon's behind a cloud, up jumps the scarecrow and shouts very loud
"I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat,
I can shake my hands like this and stamp my feet like that.”

When the dogs are in their kennel and the doves are in the loft, up jumps the scarecrow and whispers very soft,

"I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat,
I can shake my hands like this and stamp my feet like that”

When all the pigs are snoring and the stars are shining bright, up jumps the scarecrow and shouts with delight.

"I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat,
I can shake my hands like this and stamp my feet like that.”

Autumn Leaves for the Window

I found this beautiful autumn leaf craft at Having Fun at Home blog.

It took a little prep of cutting the leaves and drawing the lines with a glue gun but the rest was easy. 

 Provide a variety of autumn coloured water paints.

 Smaller brushes and water.  It was popular (even without the paint - first time painters had fun painting with water).

 "Look you can see the colour on the other side."

 This art work has inspired a new idea - letting the children use the glue guns to make spider webs - look for the results in a future post.

Aplle Peel Printing

Today we peeled apples.

Today we measured with apple peels.

Today we spelled our names with apple peels.

It was quite by accident that this happened.

The peel fell off the machine and landed just like you see it above.

 It inspired us to print our whole name.

Today we discovered a new material to practice our letters.

Waxed Leaves

We've used warming trays before at the art table and the children either are attracted to it or have no interest.  And some times it is the parent that steer their child to the table because they want to try it or they steer their child away for worry of their child might get burnt.

This child loves the art table is willing to try anything.  This morning when first using the warming tray she was quick and touched the side of her hand on the metal part.  It hurt.  She cried.  We ran her hand under cold water and it felt better.  Did she go back to the table?  Yes and dad was right beside her for support.  I was proud of them both for trying again.
The rest of the morning the art table was busy with families making colourful autumn leaves.

 Beautiful!

Sign of the week - apple, worm and tree

This week's focus is still on fall and apples are a delicious part of this time of year.
I've found a fun fingerplay for this week.

Apple, Apple on the Tree

Apple, apple on the tree,

Nice and shiny, just for me.

Little wormy on the ground,

Spied that apple big and round.

Inch by inch he climbed that tree,

And he ate that apple instead of me!

The signs we will be learning are apple, worm and tree.
Watch the following video for how-to.

Clothespin Turkeys

A simple craft for Thanksgiving.
Made with paper plates, clothespins, paint and of course googly eyes.

I love when a child does their own thing at the art table.
The next picture shows a child cutting the paper plate to make his feathers.
Even after his mom put clothespins on the plate, he took them off and continued cutting all the way around.

The next picture shows a little girl so involved with her painting that it didn't matter what she painted on - the plate, the paper or her hand.