Making Our Ocean
Last week, the children had an idea to make a home for the turtles that they had made. The children seemed more interested in making sea turtles so they thought it was fitting to make an ocean for their home or habitat. Mia suggested that we use blue paper for the ocean, the children worked on a lonnnng piece of blue paper. After looking at pictures of the ocean, the children said that the ocean can be different shades and colors (and not just blue): yellow, light blue and dark blue, even gold. They enjoyed making strokes and using different materials to create a lovely combination of colors for their ocean.
After painting the ocean, our Nursery friends noticed other life that dwells in the ocean. Michael said that there was coral and James also saw seaweed. Mya pointed out that the coral and seaweed were "different patterns" so we used colored tissue paper and cellophane paper to create an effect similar to coral and seaweed.
Next, the children asked if we could bring sand into the classroom for a beach effect. We talked about whether or not it would be a good idea to put sand on the carpet. The children thought it would get messy. Mya had a wonderful idea of putting sand on top of paper to make the beach. The children worked very hard, gluing the paper little by little and sprinkling and spreading the sand over the big yellow paper! After a day of letting the children do this, the teachers covered the sand with contact paper to keep it contained, but still allow sand to stay in the classroom!
Finally, the children placed their turtles wherever they wanted to on the beach!!The teachers were very proud of our Nursery friends as they worked really hard over two days to finish their beach!
As we have been talking about the ocean lately, two friends brought in special items from home that they wanted to share that aligned with the theme. Mia brought a mermaid tail that she was very proud to wear. She said it was tricky to walk in it but she could swim with it on. Her friends gently touched her tail to see what it felt like. James brought a swordfish from the aquarium after a recent visit. He explained to the class how swordfish hunt their prey. We were very happy to have friends stand up in front of their peers and speak with confidence! Well done, friends.
Making A Rainforest
As our ocean came together so nicely, and the turtles looked safe and happy in their home, the children wanted to make a home for the snakes that that had made and Michael suggested that we use brown and green to make a rainforest. We brainstormed what we might find in a rainforest and came up with great suggestions: leaves, branches (both big and small), logs, water and insects. The children decided what they wanted to make in the rainforest...some made branches with leaves, others made a tree, and there was even a giant cockroach!
Birthday Celebration!
This week, we celebrated another special birthday. Happy Birthday, Hayato! Thank you for sharing your wonderful dinosaur birthday book with us. The yummy cake and cute snake napkins were a fantastic bonus!
Children's Day
As it was Children's Day on Thursday, we made our own carps (koinobori). The carp-shaped wind socks are flown in Japan in the hope that children willl grow up healthy and strong. The children had read a story about flying carp so they were excited to make one of their own to take home.
We made our carps using different materials- paper bags, chopsticks, colored paper and markers to decorate them. What a great job our Nursery friends did making their koinobori!
We made our carps using different materials- paper bags, chopsticks, colored paper and markers to decorate them. What a great job our Nursery friends did making their koinobori!
Author Visit: Ashley Woff
As we have continued to explore animals during our animal unit, we have read several books authored or illustrated by Ashley Wolff. The children noticed that she draws animals in her books and have enjoyed looking at the pictures in her stories. They were very excited when they heard that she would be visiting our campus. She kindly greeted the children when they arrived in the library and she read them a lovely book about the months of the year and a special puppy called, "When Lucy Goes Out Walking: A puppy's first year." The children enjoyed the story and loved looking at the pictures. After the story, she kindly answered some questions they had been dying to know: How do you draw your pictures? Do you like animals? What do you use to draw your pictures? She kindly signed our class copies of her book which we will be sure to take care of. It was a pleasure to have Ms. Wolff spend some time with our Nursery Class!
Something Special for our Mommies
Some of the children were aware that there is a special day this weekend: Mother's Day. As we often read books about our mommies or tell stories about how much they love us, the children were elated to use the materials at the art table to create some beautiful cards. They used glue and markers and heart shapes and even wrote sweet messages while they talked about why they love their mommies so much. It was so heartwarming for the teachers to hear how much the children appreciate their mommies and all that they do for them.
Next, the children decorated white picture frames with permanent marker. They used colors they thought their mommies might like. Then, they gave us their happiest poses while we took their pictures so their mommies can see them all the time!
Next, the children decorated white picture frames with permanent marker. They used colors they thought their mommies might like. Then, they gave us their happiest poses while we took their pictures so their mommies can see them all the time!
Here is what the children said about why they love their mommies so much:
Michael: I love my mommy because she looks pretty and because she gives me some toys.
Aila: I love my mommy because she sleep with me and she buy things.
Karen: I love my mommy because she’s nice to me and she hugs me bye bye at school.
Anna: I love my mommy because she is nice. My mommy is playing with me. I love you!
Mina: I love my mommy because she is so beautiful. I love my mommy because she looks like a princess.
Emma: I love my mommy because she plays a lot.
Claire: I love my mommy because she walks with my every time. My mommy reads me a book all day long at night.
Mya: I love my mommy because she is beautiful. I love Mommy because she makes yummy dinner. I love Mommy because she lets me have some toys.
Hayato: I love mommy because…..cute.
Serena: I love my mommy because she plays with me and let’s me wake up. I want to hug her.
James: I love my mommy because she gives me kisses.
Mia: I love my mommy because she takes care of me. She gives me showers and tucks me in bed.
The children were so proud of the gifts they made for their mommies. We hope you enjoy them!
Have a lovely weekend, everyone. And to all the mommies, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! We hope you get pampered all weekend long :)
-Julie and Natalie
Michael: I love my mommy because she looks pretty and because she gives me some toys.
Aila: I love my mommy because she sleep with me and she buy things.
Karen: I love my mommy because she’s nice to me and she hugs me bye bye at school.
Anna: I love my mommy because she is nice. My mommy is playing with me. I love you!
Mina: I love my mommy because she is so beautiful. I love my mommy because she looks like a princess.
Emma: I love my mommy because she plays a lot.
Claire: I love my mommy because she walks with my every time. My mommy reads me a book all day long at night.
Mya: I love my mommy because she is beautiful. I love Mommy because she makes yummy dinner. I love Mommy because she lets me have some toys.
Hayato: I love mommy because…..cute.
Serena: I love my mommy because she plays with me and let’s me wake up. I want to hug her.
James: I love my mommy because she gives me kisses.
Mia: I love my mommy because she takes care of me. She gives me showers and tucks me in bed.
The children were so proud of the gifts they made for their mommies. We hope you enjoy them!
Have a lovely weekend, everyone. And to all the mommies, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! We hope you get pampered all weekend long :)
-Julie and Natalie