Has Fall Weather Finally Arrived?

I found it funny how I just stated in my last post that it has still been warm here in South Carolina. Only a day later, I'm shivering and wearing a fleece jacket! Has fall weather finally arrived? I sure hope so, because a little bit of chill goes better with all these Fall crafts we've been working on! 

Books, Books, Books. We LOVE Books!

The children have enjoyed the Autumn, leaf, and apple tree themed books in the book corner. Unfortunately, most of them need to be returned to the town library in a few days :( Some of these we'll  really miss- like the Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. The story progressed through daily activities but ended each verse with, "on a cold and frosty morning", "on a cold and frosty afternoon", and "on a cold and frosty evening". It's not yet frosty here in South Carolina, but we are ready for that change! 

Reading Chapter Books Already!

Last Monday, on the final day of September, we finished our first chapter book of the year! We try to read a chapter each day as we settle down at nap. This adapted version included a picture every few pages which I would show the children, but mainly it was a listening activity. Life lessons were scattered throughout this story and I believe the children really grew to love "Anne Shirley" a.k.a "Anne of Green Gables". I know they grew to love reading chapter books at nap, because they were elated when I brought out the options for our next read!

Over the past week, we discussed the book in small groups. I was truly impressed with how much the children remembered! On their own, they recalled 8-9 events that I had even forgotten! Some of the children were interested in drawing, describing, and writing about their favorite scenes (shown below). Some have even acted out the events, playing different characters!

A three and four year old's drawing and explanation of an event in the book.

A five year old's interpretation of two main events.

Spontaneous Learning In Our Outdoor Classroom

Look what we found!

We are VERY curious!

Making observations.

Last week, we came across a new creature in our outdoor classroom. The children were fascinated and I have never seen such a thing. We discussed the characteristics and through a Google search, concluded it was a "Saddleback Caterpillar". We learned that it has venom in the hairs or "urticating spines" covering its body, that can cause a painful rash on humans and more.

Concerned for the well-being of our school family, the children brainstormed solutions to keep others informed, safe, and alert for these interesting insects in the future. I loved the suggestions a couple of the older children came up with! We settled on making a sign warning others and moving the plant they were eating out of the natural play-scape. Chances are we will come across those Saddleback Caterpillars again, but…

What a great spontaneous lesson for us all! 

Thanks ladies for designing this warning sign!

Learn more about the Saddleback Caterpillar at:

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/saddleback_caterpillar.htm

Bringing the Outside In

We have been collecting "Signs of Fall" and now have these items incorporated into our work cycle!

Here we have a child developing the "pincer grip" by pushing a pin into a pumpkin.

Another child is counting tiny acorns as she moves them from one bowl to the other. 

Here we have a child getting a closer look (with a magnifying glass) at small pinecones.

We also made art with tiny pumpkins we grew at school

First we had to scrub them!

Then, time to decorate!

Happy Birthday to Johnny Appleseed and Ms. Megan! 

We got to sing the "birthday song" to Mr. John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) and to the Pre-Primary Teacher, Ms. Megan. Some children made drawings on the chalkboard outside for these friends as well. And I think Johnny Appleseed would be proud, we've been saving seeds from our apples so we can plant them like he did!

More Apple Snacks Please...

There is just so many things you can do with apples! Today we made "Apple Burritos" with only 4 ingredients- tortillas, cinnamon, cream cheese, and of course, apples! The children were lined up to do this snack preparation work and we loved the opportunity to share with each other!

 

First we peeled, cut, and cored the apples.

Then we spread the cream cheese mixed with cinnamon onto the tortilla.

Topped it off with apples.

 

Rolled it up.

 And enjoyed! 

Yummy Apple Burritos!