Friday Fun!

Today we continued our exploration of bees! We used loose parts in the colors yellow, black, and white to make bee collages. We used paint rollers with those same colors to paint pictures, and used black and yellow paint sticks to draw bees at the easel.

Using the paint roller was a fun way to make fun designs on our paper.

Exploring with loose parts helps us work on fine motor dexterity and using our imaginations. This was our first real attempt at using loose parts to make collages. The kids all did wonderfully with adult support. We are looking forward to what they will create when they are more comfortable with this type of activity.

Activities at the easel allow us to work on those big muscles that will eventually be used in handwriting. We gave the children pictures of bees for inspiration and to help work on their literacy skills.

It is no secret that toddlers learn best from play. Exploring our outside environment promotes scientific curiosity while allowing our children to help with washing the toys promotes being a part of a community by taking care of our classroom. Our sensory bin today allowed the children to experiment with different ways of filling and dumping the cups. 

We have had so much fun getting to know your children the past few weeks! They are all getting so much more comfortable and independent in the classroom and we are looking forward to seeing how much more they will grow over the next several months. As we build our community here, we would like to occasionally share some links with you that we feel might be useful. This week, we would like to share a link to the Zero to Three website. This is a great resource for information on your toddler's development! You can find them at: 

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/your-child-s-development-age-based-tips-from-birth-to-36-months#12-24-months

Shabbat Shalom to you all!

Bees!

 Today we spent the day learning about bees! We used honey dippers dipped in yellow paint to "write" on our paper. We made bee-themed sensory bottles. We also got to pretend to be bees flying from flower to flower with Ms. Ashley in our music time. It was another busy day in our little Katon classroom!

We used sticky corn syrup mixed with food coloring and tiny bees to make fun sensory bottles! .learned that bees make the honey for us to dip our apples in at Rosh Hashanah

Pretending to be bumblebees with Ms. Ashley was a super fun part of music.

It felt so good to be able to be back outside on our playground after such a rainy day yesterday!

Tomorrow we are looking forward to more fun outside on our bike track and learning more about Rosh Hashanah!

IN Early Learning Foundations: ELA2.2:Begin to engage in word and sound play with adults, ELA3.1:Experiment with a variety of writing tools, materials, and surfaces, M2.2:Follow along and imitate patterns of sounds and movement, M5.1:Follow a daily schedule, APL1.2:Begin to show curiosity and interest in new objects, experiences, and people, SC2.1:Explore the natural environment, SC3.1:Identify living organisms by name, SC5.1: Actively explore the environment, SS1.1:Begin to demonstrate a sense of belonging to a group by engaging in parallel play, SS2.4:Begin to understand and follow basic guidance, CA2.1:Use whole body to respond to music, CA4.1:Demonstrate simple character/animal sounds with motions

The First Rainy Day

 Today was our first really rainy day of the school year. We did try to get out for a little bit for a wagon ride in the greenspace, but quickly went back inside as soon as we heard a little rumble of thunder. When we got back inside, we watched the rain for a little bit and sang a song about thunder and raindrops. We used our hands to make loud "thunder" on the hard surfaces like the tables and our fingertips to make the sound of the quiet "raindrops." 

Our Katon class is obsessed with all things painting. These are just a few of their latest creations!

The extra time inside today gave us time to do a little more play with manipulatives and practice some fine and gross motor skills.

We kept our little ones busy today! Tomorrow we are looking forward to learning more about Rosh Hashanah!

IN Learning Foundations: SE2.1: Follow simple routines with adult support, APL1.2: Explore and manipulate familiar objects in the environment, APL4.1:Begin to exhibit skills in parallel play, SC2.2:Observe and investigate environment, nature, and climate/weather, CA1/1: Imitate sounds using voice or objects, CA3.1: Express preferences for certain art materials, PHG3.1:Gain control of hands and fingers, PHG 3.1: Begin to develop coordination and balance, requiring less support

Apples in the Atelier

 Today was our day in the Atelier! We brought our Apples and Honey theme with us and used apples to paint.  We talked about what colors apple can be and then used those colors to make creative paintings.  We rolled, dipped, hand painted and finger painted to create a beautiful masterpiece together! 

"Do you like to paint?" "Yeah!"

"Apple!"

"Do you like to paint?" "Uh-huh!" 

"What color do you want?" "Green!"

Here is our very own apple painting!

Everyone is getting more comfortable exploring our specials spaces. Our friends enjoyed exploring all of our wonderful materials in the Atelier and decided that our paint sticks were really fun to color with while using the easel!

In our classroom we worked on Rosh Hashanah crafts while talking about a sweet new year! We hope you enjoy the sweet surprise your child will bring home closer to the holidays. 

Today everyone was all about art exploration! We explored watercolors at our art table in the classroom.  Friends found it interesting that this paint was dry when we opened it. We enjoyed mixing water into the palette and experimenting with different color combinations.

Indiana Early Learning Foundations:

ELA1.2 Demonstrate expressive communication

ELA3.1 Demonstrate mechanics of writing

M3.1 Demonstrate understanding of classifying

SE4.1 Demonstrate relationship skills

APL1.1 Demonstate inititive and self-direction

APL1.2 Demonstrate interest and curiosity as a learner

APL3.1 Demonstrate development of sustained attention and persistance

APL4.1 Demonstrate development of social interations during play

SC1.2 Demonstrate awareness of the physical properties of objects

SC5.1 Demonstrate scientific curiosity

CA3.1 Demonstrate creative expression through the visual art process

CA3.2 Demonstrate creative expression through visual art production