quilt was spread out on the carpet, inviting a teddy bear picnic.  Boxes of apple juice, along with assorted teddy grahams were the “feast” of the day.  The celebration was the culmination of various teddy bear activities introduced throughout the school.  As you might expect, conversation was lively as well as imaginative.

During our multicultural week, the children participated in making sweet potato cookies, a snack common to many countries in Africa.  We discovered what a sweet potato looks like inside (it’s orange!) and used a grater to shred the potatoes for mixing into the dough.  We measured flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, dried lemon peel, grated sweet potato, nutmeg, butter, and honey. We cracked an egg!  Then we used an electric mixer and everyone got a turn to hold the mixer while it worked, and to observe how the mixture changed and smelled. The “cookie scoop” (like a miniature ice-cream squeezing scoop) was tricky to use but lots of fun, eliciting lots of laughter as the dough plopped onto the baking sheet.  Once the cookies were baked, we got to take them home to taste and share!  Cooking incorporates many learning concepts and social skills, and most of all, it’s lots of fun!

To complement our “doctor and dentist” week, the children had an opportunity to paint with toothbrushes.  We placed a piece of construction paper on the table, laid a mesh screen on top, dipped the toothbrush in paint, and rubbed the bristles over the screen.  Lots of conversation took place about how the brush sounded and felt and how we wouldn’t want to brush our teeth with paint! 

To go along with our “teddy bear” theme the children had a great time using food coloring markers to decorate teddy bear shaped cookies.  They enjoyed some interesting, funny conversations as they practiced fine motor skills

such as “pencil” control necessary for writing.  This week, the craft involves experimenting with yet another new way to paint and express oneself while listening to different styles of music.  The children use a clothespin to hold a piece of yarn that they dip in paint and then swirl on a piece of paper to make unique designs.

The “pendulum” has been available for the past two weeks and has elicited great curiosity and interest from the children.  The “pendulum’s” wooden base is filled with salt and has a clear plastic pastry bag suspended by string.  Plastic shovels allowed the children to distribute the desired amount of salt into the bag and release, creating unique salt designs.  Observation and fine motor skills were highlighted.  Microscopes followed and provided the children with an opportunity to examine a myriad of items including feathers, shells, yarn, cotton balls, and assorted slides with an exaggerated view.  The children noted that maneuvering the microscopes to adjust the clarity was quite challenging.

Enthusiasm was evident with the introduction of typewriters as children flocked to the table to sign in for a turn.  The children practiced letter recognition and word formation with an emphasis on fine motor development.  Smiles were abundant as the children typed their names and delighted in their typewritten accomplishments.

At the end of January, the dramatic play room was transformed into a hospital, complete with real casts, crutches, x-rays and a wheelchair.  A variety of doctor and nurse outfits and pajamas were available, as well as lots of stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs,