Spookley the Square Pumpkin!

I just couldn't wait to share a picture of these cute little pumpkins!  They are all so unique, just us!

Why can't we just do it for them?

This is a question I hear all the time! Why don't you just do it for them? Why are you making the child get frustrated when you could just do it for them? If someone stepped in every time we got frustrated, we would start to believe that it really is too hard! Maybe I'm really not capable of doing it for myself. We work hard at teaching the kiddos that they can do anything! From drawing a person to putting on their own coat! When you see a child do something on their own for the first time, their face lights up and they are so proud! They absolutely glow! They are proud and now they know that if they work hard, they can do anything!

Try Everything!

We are all capable of everything! It is amazing the power of YET in our lives! 

I don't know how to write my name...YET!

I don't know how to draw...YET!

I don't know my shapes...YET!

It works for adults, too!

I don't know how to cook...YET!

I don't know how to knit...YET!

Listen to this SONG!

This is what we do in our classroom!

TRY EVERYTHING!

Oh, what a beautiful Morning!

Using Nature in Art!

I love using natural items to create beautiful art! This week at Natural Explorations ECFE class we used natural paintbrushes to create an amazing mural! The kids had a great time exploring how the different brushes created different prints on the paper! 

Natural Paintbrushes

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment

before starting to improve the world!"--Anne Frank

Our Peace Mural!

International Peace Day!

We celebrated International Peace Day on September 21! Our ECFE students created a peace branch by painting a branch and then adding peace beads! They strung beads on wire and added curves and twists to the wire! My Preschool friends painted beautiful Peace Doves to add to the display! What an amazing tribute of LOVE, PEACE and TEAMWORK!

It looks Like I'm Playing. . . Thanks to Dr. Jean

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

CENTERS WITH STEAM

IT LOOKS LIKE I’M PLAYING BUT….

Play is a child’s work, and through learning centers children can discover their world as they play. Centers are the perfect vehicle to help children STEAM ahead!
                                        
Blocks - It looks like I’m playing, but I am an engineer as I plan and build. I’m also being a mathematician as I explore shapes and space. I’m using my small motor skills and developing the executive function as I organize, complete a task, and take responsibility for cleaning up my projects. I’m using my 21st Century skills as I cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with my friends.

Science - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m doing what scientists do by observing, predicting, experimenting, recording, and reporting. I’m developing a curiosity about the world and using my senses as I problem solve and explore. I’m discovering how to learn by reading books, doing research on the internet, and asking questions. The way I learn best is with HANDS ON materials in the science center.
                      
Art – It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing my creativity, small motor skills, social skills, independence, and responsibility. As I plan my design I’m using engineering skills. When I use scissors, glue, or a hole punch I’m using technology. Art gives me a visual way to show what I know and what I’m learning.
                                         
Math - It looks like I’m playing, but I’m really a mathematician as I count objects, measure, and sort. I’m also developing concepts about quantity, shapes, addition, and subtraction. When I use tangrams, a ten frame, a ruler, or a calculator I’m learning to feel confident with my ability to use math tools. Doing math is like a puzzle that’s fun to solve.
                                                            
Table Toys - Yes, even when I’m playing with puzzles, play dough, beads, and pegboards I’m an engineer. I plan, think about what I want to design, and then adapt as I create. I’m developing small muscles, eye-hand coordination, attention span, social skills, and math concepts about size, shape, and pattern.
                                         

Sensory Motor (aka Sand and Water Area) – I love to explore (mess around!) with water, sand, rice, and other sensory materials. Give me some measuring cups and I’m doing math. Give me a water wheel, shovel, or tongs and I’m using technology. Give me objects to predict if they will sink or float and I’m a scientist.
                   

Classroom Library – I’m developing reading skills, a love books, and I’m discovering how to learn new things in the classroom library. Animal books, nature magazines, brochures, and field guides all spark my interest in new topics. No matter where I go or what I become it will be important to read and write in the future.
                                           

Writing - Paper, pencils, blank books, markers, crayons, and a variety of writing materials give me the opportunity to plan, record data, imagine, recall information, and use my reading and writing skills in a meaningful way.
                                                                    

Dramatic Play – It looks like I’m playing, but I’m developing oral language, social skills, emotional skills, independence, my imagination, responsibility, and the executive function. I’m also learning to sort, predict, and do critical thinking as I role-play and solve problems.

                           

EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY – 

I’M PLAYING AND LEARNING IN MY OWN SPECIAL WAY!

FULL STEAM AHEAD!!!!

thank you to Dr. Jean and Friends for these awesome descriptions!

Preschool Open House!

Parkers Prairie Peschool Open House!

August 29

5:30-7:30

Preschool will be holding a separate open house for back to school.  This will give our youngest friends a chance to explore the classroom and the school in a calmer environment and hopefully allow parents to spend some time with their child in the preschool room!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

I'm hoping to get into my room this next week and start decorating and arranging my room! :)

I'm getting very excited!

ECFE Schedule is ready to go!

The 2016-2017 ECFE schedule is done! It will be mailed out tomorrow (July 28). If you don't get one, let me know and I will make sure that we get one out to you! Here is a sneak peak at the registration forms! The first session will be:
Tuesday - Natural Explorations
Friday 1 - Come Sing With Me
Friday 2 - Color Your World

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at hplasek@pp.k12.mn.us

Background noise and toddler learning

NPR put out an article explaining the effects of a lot of background noise on a toddlers ability to learn. It is very interesting! Click here to read the article! 

BUBBLES!

Who doesn't like blowing bubbles?! It is such a simple pleasure! What's better than blowing one bubble? Blowing TONS of bubbles!!  Follow this link to learn how to make bubble snakes!!!

All you need is a sock, a water bottle, and some soap and water and you have the makings for a GREAT summer day!!

Back in her younger days our dog LOVED to chase the bubbles! Here she is going for the high ones! :)

What is it?

I love to take my microscope that attaches to my ipad when we go exploring! Can you guess what these pictures are? 

HINT: These are all things that I am willing to touch! They are not dangerous and they are all found in nature...probably in your own backyard!  If you want to know the answers, email me! :)

Summer is here! Time to Explore!

One of the best things about summer is going out to explore! There are so many things to discover right in your own backyard!  Make a nature scavenger hunt! Have your child find different items that are a specific color, size or shape! Talk about the objects that they found.  Are they natural items? Are they man-made items? Do they help nature or hurt nature? Use the items you found to create some nature art!  You can glue them to a piece of paper or cardboard or use them to make impressions in playdough! We keep a basket on our porch to put the natural treasures that we find on walks or just playing in the yard! We already have a fun collection of items! Give it a try!

Summer Safety: Please go with your child when they are exploring. This is something you can do together! Enjoy the weather and your child!

New and Exciting Changes are ahead for Adventure Preschool!

Adventure Preschool has been awarded a 4 star rating by the Parent Aware Program! This is the highest star rating that they give! Because of this, there was money available for us to apply for to help enhance our 3's programming! After much discussion, we proposed a slightly longer school week. Right now, we are offering 3 days/week for 3 hours.  Currently it would be offered Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday and you could choose one of 2 classes; either the morning (8-11am) or the afteroon (12-3pm).  

Transportation would remain the same as it is now. Students may ride the school bus to school in the morning or can be dropped off by parent or other adult. Midday (either after morning session or before the afternoon session) parents can opt to use the Otter bus for a fee or transport their child personally. Those attending the pm session, can have their child ride the school bus home or parents/guardians can choose to pick up.

Why do we want three days? We have found that if a child can come even 3 consecutive days a week, they are able to retain and practice their skills more proficiently. There are less gaps in their learning time. 

A scholarship is available to all qualifying families. These are all income based. You will be receiving an application from the school early next week. You do not have to qualify for a scholarship to enroll in Adventure Preschool. 

If you have any questions regarding this change, feel free to email me at hplasek@pp.k12.mn.us

If you have already registered for Adventure Preschool for the 2016-2017 school year, all you will need to do is indicate if you would like morning or afternoon. Slots fill very fast so the sooner you register the more likely it is that you will get your first choice. 

Last Day of Preschool (T/Th group)

We started out our day with some Popsicle painting! Frozen paint makes a fun and new way to paint!

Then we visited all of the fish and turtles and birds (and eggs) in the courtyard! 

Boy am I going to miss this group of kiddos!! That are so amazing and smart and funny and kind!  

We had a robin make her next really low in the courtyard. The kiddos LOVED seeing the nest and the eggs! They were so quiet!

We had to say goodbye to the eggs, birds, fish and turtles! So much to do on the last day of school!

We did a color mixing experiment with melting popsicles.  We were so busy that we forgot to take pictures!

Then we got to EAT some popsicles! 

Then PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! They had so much fun! I LOVE all of those smiles!!

MONKEY!

This has been an amazing year! I love them all and wish them all the best!