Several square cards are laid face down, and the children must turn over two cards at a time and try to find a match.  Played alone or with a friend this game fosters conversation, cooperation, patience and cognitive learning.

Wacky Wednesdays continue to be full of fun!  The children learned how to make goop, and enjoyed making a mess while playing with it after it was made.  The scavenger hunt was a big success with the children finding some great fall items that were hidden throughout the gross motor room.  Upcoming events will include making center pieces for the Thanksgiving dinner and also some good treats!

The children and the teachers are really enjoying their “favorite books.”  The children are very excited to share their selection with the class. They feel special when the teacher takes their picture with their book and then hangs it up.  They love to look at themselves as well as all their friends.  Reading is a wonderful opportunity to practice listening skills and recall, as well as being lots of fun!  For creative movement the children have enjoyed “The Balancing Act”, “Limbo”, and “The Hokey Pokey”.  What fun!

The children love starting each day with songs, often including some dancing and sometimes even a parade!  “God Made Us” has been one song we’ve paraded around to this month, as the children held up and waved paper flags from countries around the world.  They’ve also enjoyed singing “The Father Loves Me”, “I am Thankful”, “I Heard Mr. Turkey Say”, “Hurry, Hurry Drive The Firetruck”, and “A Sailor Went to Sea” to name just a few!

At the end of the day, our large song-time rug becomes a fun spot for a special activity during gross motor time.  It has been a place to build with cardboard blocks, play the game of twister, or put on a fire coat and helmet and “drive” a pop-up fire truck. 

Currently out is a hand-painted teepee, tom tom, beaded native American clothing, baby doll or “papoose” carriers, and a wooden boat with paddles, fishing poles and magnetic fish to catch.  Also always available are the bikes, climbing cube with slide, balance beam, tunnel and balls.  Musical instruments are also available, and we see many marching bands winding their way around the large playroom.  Next month we look forward to the sound of sleigh bells, as we’ll have a cardboard “sleigh” out on the rug, pulled by a wooden rocking horse with antlers! 

While talking about fire safety-

• Miss Brenda- “If you find matches or a lighter you should tell a grown up”.

• Child 1 - “Like your Mom or Dad or a teacher.”

• Child 2 - “But not Miss Brenda, she’s not really a grown-up she’s like a big sister!” 

• Child to Miss Cathy as she was heading up the stairs toward the sanctuary- “Where are you going?”

• Miss Cathy - “I’m going upstairs for a few minutes.”

• Child - “I hope you see God while you’re up there!”
   

• Child - “Miss Brenda, can you fix my hair?”

• Miss Brenda - “Sure.”

• Child - “My Dad did it.  He’s a boy, so he can’t do anything!”