Check In...

Fun picture from earlier in November (OK, I admit it...I uploaded it by mistake and don't know how to delete it!)---BUT check out our art board, as the tinfoil collages should be replacing our autumn colors if I can finish them up tonight!

We've been focusing lately on two ongoing explorations....states of matter (primarily solids & liquids) with a bit of color theory thrown in. I put liquid watercolors at one of our exploration stations for the children to mix. The children used the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and mixed them together using small droppers (great for developing fine motor skills).

They poured their new colors into glass canning jars and titled them.

L: "Black"

K: "A horse black"

B: "Apple Juice" (because it smells like apple juice!) and "Black"

P: "Black"

They obviously are coming to understand the basic concept that all the colors put together create black!

When we were done mixing we took the new colors into the light room & put them on the light table to see if all the "black" was the same. I expected them to be excited about this concept....they were more interested in jumping over the crib matress on the floor. Perhaps we'll return to that idea later. In the meantime....for those of you who had babyfood jars of random colored water coming home this is what that is all about---make sure the lids stay on. That stuff does not come out!

This week we'll be doing our writing in shaving cream--B is particularly motivated to write his name after becoming frustrated with trying to label his jar today! I'm going to introduce cornstarch & water to continue our exploration on the properties of matter, I'm wondering if L. will find as much interest in the cornstarch/water concoction as she does with tempera paint! If she doesn't, I've got plenty to do in our paint station, I've set up a large sheet of cardboard with various objects to use for making prints. We'll see how messy they can get with that!

K & N will continue working on cvc words, we'll introduce the /ad/ and /an/ word families next. We'll also be working on the following sight words: I, like, see

In math we're continuing with counting in context (not by route!). We are working with this concept primarily during snack time, but also at various times during learning centers. I am also hoping to work one on one with L & D to introduce the spindle boxes and numerals/counters from our Montessori materials.

We'll be spending as much time as we can outside as well...the good weather won't last long! Please send hats & mittens/gloves as children are complaining about the cold. Remember to check the basket for random socks, gloves, and various other odds and ends.