What's Your Favorite Color?

On Tuesday we all had to tell our favorite color and then find something small in the room that was that color. For some Bunnies it was easy to find an object and for others it took some serious searching. Eventually, all were successful. Look in our window to see our favorite colors.

Chromatography

Last week we explored colors. We did several science experiments to discover that some colors are combinations of other colors. These pictures show one of William's experiments. First he colored on a coffee filter. Then he folded the coffee filter and dipped the center point in water. He watched the water travel up the filter. Last he opened the coffee filter to see what happened. He said his monster face looked "very scary".
By doing this activity some children noticed that the black ink appeared to have some other colors bleed from it. We heard Aaron say, "I see blue, but I didn't color with blue!"

After several weeks of playing with cars and animals, suddenly the blocks were out again. (The Bunnies make these choices themselves!) Jessica and Lexi worked very hard to build special places for the lions and tigers. You probably can't tell in the photo, but this structure is multi-leveled with larger animals up high and the cubs down low.
Just so you know, horizontal block building (like zoos and other enclosures) precedes vertical block building (like towers and castles).

Yee Haw!

We had so much fun learning about the rodeo and all things western. We worked farm and animal puzzles, played with toy farms, sat in a saddle, made pigs in the mud, painted with stencils, read farm and rodeo books, and tried "udder" painting. Most of all, we liked wearing our cool cowboy and cowgirl clothes!

Names

I think I have mentioned that our little group is very interested in letters and in spelling their names. Our little group is also interested in playdough. Mrs. Magee cleverly combined the two interests. She patiently spelled each name as requested, but only if the child was willing to roll all the "snakes" for construction. Fine motor skills and literacy - win win!

Quick Like a Bunny!

Recently we had another fire drill. Guess which class was first to arrive at their designated spot?!

Spring Is Almost Here

This week Sofia arrived with darling sandals and a fancy pedicure. When I asked her about her pink polish, in a teeny tiny voice she said, "I got them painted at the toe store."

Playground Playtime

We are so enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I know I didn't manage to photograph each Bunny, but here is a glimpse into the kinds of things they do on the playground. We have only one Bunny that can cross the monkey bars hand over hand. Can you guess who?? (Hint: It's a girl!)

Our Room

I just have to show you what our room looks like at the end of playtime. It's not pretty - you've been warned.

And this represents only three of our play centers. Oh yes, there are more. Is it evidence of a busy, fruitful morning or the byproduct of pandemonium? You decide.

Are you wondering who cleans all that up? It's the children! Are you wondering how in the world we get ordinary three year olds to return the room to order? We have well established routines, labels on everything, plenty of bins, and a good dose of patience. (I'll admit some days require more than others.)

Music

Mr. Hinshaw has begun music lessons at school. On most Tuesdays, Mr. Hinshaw comes to our room during our regular circle time. He teaches the children simple songs of praise with motions/signs to go with the words. He has lots of experience in children's music ministry and the Bunnies are enjoying having some new songs to sing.

Drama

Drama doesn't have to involve costumes and scripts. In our class a few props and vivid imaginations are all that is needed. Recently Mrs. Magee and a few kids created characters out of "floam" and made them talk. I don't know how it all worked out, but I know I heard, "Hurry before I smash it!" Mrs. Ofield has been coming to our room on Tuesdays to assist with literacy growth. Lately she's been recording the children's stories. I'm pretty sure she wrote down this particular drama as it unfolded. If you see dictated "stories" (I use that term loosely!) coming home with your child, it is from her hand.

Tea for Me

I've come to depend on a daily cup of tea. I will really miss it next year when this little guy is in Pre-K.

Books and More Books

I'm so glad I captured this moment. Callie and Sofie sat in the book area for a long time methodically removing books from the shelves on the left, reading them and stacking them neatly on the right.

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books.
-Longfellow

Rainbow Mommy

We paint with all kinds of things in the Bunny class. We simply can't be limited to paint brushes - oh, no! Q-Tip painting was a fascinating experience. The children are not accustomed to manipulating something as small as a Q-Tip. Even children we don't typically see at the easel paid a visit. Aaron said he made a "Rainbow Mommy." Delightful!!

Stamping

Look what had everybody excited this week?

Quite a few Bunnies have taken a huge interest in writing their names and identifying letters in their names. This week in the office, Mrs. Magee put out long, skinny strips of paper. They were perfect for stamping names. Those interested got to practice locating the letters of their names, and working with left to right progression as they stamped. Some even got fancy and cut out their name then glued it onto another sheet of paper. (we go through a LOT of paper - all for a good cause!)
Some children preferred to randomly stamp all over their papers. In the picture above, you can even see some letters in fancy fonts glued to the paper. Letters, letters, everywhere!!

Hearts

The Bunnies liked driving cars through paint and seeing the tracks they made on big paper hearts. Love to all of you from all of us!

Cool Hat

The silliness never stops!

Problem Solving with Tools

This is a very funny picture, but it really demonstrates problem solving.
Problem: a marble rolled under the block cabinet and the boys needed it back
Boys' suggested solutions: "Let's move the cabinet." (too heavy - won't move.)
"I'll reach under." (too tight - arm won't fit.) "We need something to stick under there." (ok - like what?) "Something long." (How about a ruler?)
New problem: "I can't see it. Where is it?" (What do we need to see it?)
New solution: "A flashlight."
Mrs. Magee and the boys spent several minutes on possible solutions and using methods of trial and error to solve the problem. It would have been far easier for Mrs. Magee to just do it herself, but then the boys would have missed out on the opportunity to solve for themselves. Our job as teachers is to facilitate and assist, not solve it for them. This is just one of the many ways we encourage independence in young children. The next time something gets under the cabinet, the boys will know how to get it out because they've done it before!

Playdough Creations

We've had some pretty amazing creations emerge from playdough in the last few weeks. Bradley made a road and he asked me to make a car for it. I'm not sure it really looks like a car, but he seemed satisfied. Parker made a rabbit with verrrry long ears. Mrs. Magee and a few others made hearts and balls and a baseball bat. Just about everyday, someone makes a birthday cake complete with frosting rosettes on top! I can't say enough about the power of playdough!!

Puff Paint

We made our own puff paint for Valentine's Day. It looks like the most delicious frosting ever! It's actually shaving cream, white glue and liquid watercolor mixed together. I don't have specific amounts of each - more like a squirt of this and a squirt of that. The kids mixed it all together with a whisk and painted. Try it at home - it's easy, and more importantly, it's easy to clean up.