Learning Station - Uno Flip Math & Uno Number Order

The kiddos played this as pairs.  Each kiddo flipped over a card, identified the number, then together we added both numbers and wrote them on our papers.  

The bigger of the two numbers we stuck in our brain, the smaller number we put on our fingers and counted up.  For example:  We would stick 9 in our brain and 4 on our fingers and then count up from 9, putting each finger down as we went.

Uno Number Order - Youngsters - The kiddos put the numbers in order.  We're learning to recognize the numeral and it's name.  This was great to see where the kiddos are at in understanding that there is a symbol (numeral) for each number they count.

A Wonderful Week on Worms!

This week we are learning with WORMS!  Happy spring!  Our letter is Uu, as in the worms live under the ground.

Circle Time - The kiddos enjoyed sock worms and they also wiggled like worms.  We learned some new things about worms.  For instance:  worms lay eggs, they hibernate, they breath through their skin and that's why they come out after a big rain, because their tunnels are full of water. 

I found tan socks in the men's department.  They worked great as worms.


Stick Worms - The kiddos added segments to their worms, a face and then we wrapped a bit of pipe cleaner to make the bulgy part of the worm. 

Worms in the Bean Bin!

Worm House - Today we created a worm house.  We carefully layered sand and dirt (we hope to see the layers mix a bit when the worms dig their tunnels).  Then we added dead leaves on top (which is what they eat).  Now we just need worms!

 I found instructions and the idea on this blog:  HERE.

Worms for Snack! - Just kidding!   They're chow mein noodles! 

Apple and a Wiggly Worm - The kiddos decorated their apple, then Ms. Sara drew a happy worm face on their finger...munch, munch.

Backyard Worm Hunt - We hopped outside to look for worms to live in our new worm house.  Alas, we didn't find any.  We're thinking they might still be hibernating deeper down in the ground.  Ms. Sara will have to buy some worms for Wednesday.

Growing Grass - I am growing a pan of grass (I found a cake carrier with a lid at Walmart for about $6).  I figured the kiddos could play with their animals in the grass, once it grows tall.  I saw this fun idea on pinterest.

Journal Time Worms - The kiddos were surprised to find worms waiting for them on their journals.

Writing - I love these little clipboards, the kiddos do too!  

Science - Worm Observations with our Worm Journals - The kiddos drew a picture of a worm on the first page of their journals, then we pull out the real worms.

 The kiddos were so very excited by the worms.  They made tons of fabulous observations.

Here is our worm home that we made on Monday.  We put 5 worms in our home and wrapped it with black paper.  We're hoping our worms will start tunneling right away and that we'll be able to see them working on Friday.

 

Snack - After we washed up really well, we enjoyed a tasty worm home.

Worm Tunnel - We worked off some of the energy we gained from snack.

 
Worm Release - We took our worms outside to release them into the "wild".
When we weren't looking anymore, they slipped underground.

Worm Painting - We tried painting with worms.  Not real ones!  Just the fishing lure ones.

World Map - I was donated this fabulous laminated world map.  The boys were using it to find where the bad guys were so they could get them.

Worm Baggies - The kiddos created a habitat for their beaded worms. Their worms are safe in the baggie, so they can pull them out and play with them if they want.  The kiddos drew a lovely background for their worms (roots and tunnels), and provided nice green grass too.

Learning Station - Worm Letters & Shapes

The kiddos used our yarn worms to create 10 different letters.  They showed me their worm letter, then they wrote the letter on their paper.

 

Youngsters - Worm Shapes - The kiddos used our yarn worms to create different Shapes. It was a bit tricky, but we worked together.

Learning Station - Birds Eating Worms

The kiddos used their name clip as a beak and picked up worms (yarn) to feed their baby birds.

A Week on Saint Patrick's Day

This week we are learning with St. Patrick's Day.  Our letter is Jj as leprechauns can be jokers.

Circle Time - We chatted about leprechauns.  The kiddos already knew that if you captured one, he would give you his gold.  So they were super excited to tell each other their plans for their leprechaun traps.

Building Leprechaun Traps - After our planning session during circle time, the kiddos were excited to get started.  They knew they had to make something tricky and that they needed the trap to be green with sparkles.

 Here are a few of the traps...

 This kiddo cut a door in the yogurt container, then squirted gold glitter glue in the bottom.

Clovers - We went on a hunt for clovers in the yard and were excited to spot a whole patch of them!

Green Nail Polish - For any kiddo interested, I painted their nails green, or they could get some stripes on their journal.

Leprechauns visited the preschool yesterday (Saint Patrick's Day)!  We didn't catch any of them, but they left the kiddos a note and a yummy snack!

Journal Time - WHAT?! - The Leprechauns also turned our markers all green and left footprints on our journals and left us each a four leaf clover!

 
Rainbow Yarn Trail - The Leprechauns left us a rainbow trail to find our way to the yummy treasure they left us...

Under the rocker, behind the couch, around the piano bench, through the kitchen, under a chair, out the back door...

... across the grass, under the slide, over the swings, up the hill, around the stump, behind a tree, across the grass, down the hill, to the clover patch ...

... we found it!  Wahoo!  ... munch, munch, munch... (Popcorn and Lucky Charms!)

Play Dough - Green Sparkly, of course! - After snack, and a bit of outdoor playing, we headed back inside to enjoy some play dough.

Chalk Paint - Using the rest of the paint we made for our solar systems, we decided to paint outside.

Pot of Gold - Toddlers - I glued the pot of gold on, the kiddlets added the tissue paper rainbow!

Here are the preschooler's pots of gold.  They cut out the pots, punched out the gold coins and added a rainbow.

Leprechaun Treasure - I found these small containers at the dollar store.  The kiddos LOVED looking through our beads and added just the right jewels to their leprechaun pot.