"Pilgrims Meeting Their New Friends"

Another cute video!  This one went on for 4 minutes but I cut it to 30 seconds so I could upload it!!
AE, EB and AH are the master puppeteers in this one!

"Games At The First Thanksgiving"

What a super special project!  They had to decide together what to talk about in their Thanksgiving skit, what characters they would need and then what the setting would be!  I think videotaped their play in front of a green screen and they decided on the background (setting) they would like to use.  So many wonderful things about this!  This project was on games they could have played at the first Thanksgiving and is presented by LD, BI, and BW.  ENJOY!!

Fictional Character Day

Such a fun day of dressing as a character in a book and sharing the book with our friends!  Thanks for participating!

 Scarecrow, Bad Kitty and Rainbow Fish!

 "Dorothy" came in and said, "I wonder if I can find the Tin Man or Scarecrow?"  And Mrs.Schoening was dressed as Scarecrow!!

"Pooh" and her dad ventured out this morning but because of the icky roads, decided to turn around.  But here is a picture of "Pooh"!

Green Screen Project - Planning Stages!

All the little ones are so excited to do their second green screen project!  I put them in small groups and appointed a leader for each group.  On Monday, they talked in their group about what they'd like to do a green screen project on (after much preparation, reading about Thanksgiving and discussion).  They then reported back to me what they'd decided and what props (story characters) and background (story setting) they would need for their project.  Yesterday (Tuesday), they had their props and started working on their skit/story that they would tell!  We talked about where they'd need to place their characters (above the table while they sat below the table).  Then they went to work as you can see in the pictures below.  Some of them even moved on their own to an area "with green!!" as they say and are excited to find in the classroom!  They are doing a fabulous job working together in a small group, learning to listen to a leader and the leaders learning to be great leaders by asking their team members questions on what they would like to do/be/say!!  It's all a process but they are doing a fabulous job!!  I can't wait to see the final products!! 

Isn't This Adorable?!

I just had to share with you our door decoration for this month!  So adorable!!

November Play

As you may know, I have a BS degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education.  Early childhood education remains my favorite area and I enjoy spending my days with these 5 and 6 year olds!  There have been many shift and changes in the early childhood education world in my 30 years of teaching.  I'm so happy to say that the importance of "play" has made a great comeback as educators realize, as many of us "oldies" still know, that play is a child's work.  The pictures I'm sharing with you show play in an educational form - the best way for young children to learn!  The playing of games together and learning to get along as well learning number order (TRASH game), and putting shapes into a puzzle (do you have puzzles on your Christmas list for your child?!  You should!!) and using keys (fine motor) to unlock a lock based upon the beginning sound (educational) the possibilities are endless in play as learning.  Block building? Your child may be an architect one day.  Kitchen area?  Your child may be a mommy or a daddy someday.  The stethescope?  Your child may be a doctor or a nurse one day.  The list goes on and on!  Last week in reading, our work was based upon a book about bugs.  So I dug out the bug catchers (yes, a little late in the season!) and we attempted to catch bugs at recess!  In all we do, I try to integrate play-based practices.  More importantly, I work hard to keep a good balance in paper/pencil work and hands-on activities.  And even more importantly, I keep Jesus at the center of our school day!  So whether we are learning about Moses leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, learning about rhyming words or CVC words or sight words, or counting money in math.....our eyes focus and remain on the ONE important things, Jesus our Savior!  Blessings on your week!