Dear Parents,
We began our week mixing wet and dry ingredients to make our gingerbread man cookie dough. The children seemed thrilled about it. Everyone had a turn pouring in stuff and using the hand mixer. We put the dough in the refrigerator to chill overnight, and we went to chill in the big room.
The next day we took turns using a cookie cutter to make our gingerbread men. We counted how many people are in everyone’s family and added up the numbers to see how many cookies we needed to make. Lots! We reminded children that although our pets are members of our family, we would not be serving cookies to our dogs, cats, or fish. We cut the cookies just like the old lady did in the story, and we put them in the oven to bake. Oh, how we hoped the gingerbread men would not hop out of the oven and run when we went to open the oven door.
We read two more versions of the Gingerbread Man. There were similarities and differences to the first two books.
While playing in the big room this week, one of our family games was so real that when we called the “baby” for her turn in the bathroom, she burst into tears and kept asking for mommy. It took a few minutes to realize she was crying for her pretend mommy in the game. We assured her that “mommy” would be waiting for her in the big room.
While we took turns posing in the
big room with Tanya for our last yoga class, in the classroom, we decorated our gingerbread men. The children couldn’t have been more excited.
We made a list of things our parents do for us: make me food, dress me, get something high, lay in the sun with me, let me play video games (but not always), cuddle and kiss me, bring me a snack, bring delicious watermelon, make breakfast, have a birthday for me, go on trips, get me ready for the day, buy toys, if I want money- they can buy it, go to Miami on a plane with me, and give me a new bunny. Y’all are pretty great!
On behalf of the children, we’d like to thank you for all you do.
On Thursday everyone took turns selecting one gingerbread man cookie to represent each member of their family. We bagged them all up and went to play.
But first! We acted out the gingerbread man story. Everyone chose who they wanted to be. Our first story began simply, but by page two, spilled quickly into utter chaos, with the gingerbread men, the little old man and lady, the cow, the horse, and the fox running around and around the big room. After approximately five laps, several children stopped and asked what happened. They were disappointed the story went wonky.
Everyone agreed they wanted to try again. The second act more closely resembled the book, with all the gingerbread men being eaten by the sly fox. Then we played in the big room.
Our much anticipated cookies and milk were everything we expected. The children were super excited to give the gifts they made.
Thanks a million for all the wonderful gifts! Very much appreciated!
Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year!
Enjoy the quiet, and loud, times with family and friends,
Therese
Pine Tree Sculptures and More
Dear Parents,
The children worked two days this week gluing and painting pine tree sculptures to give as gifts. The class is excited!
On Wednesday while half the class was posing in yoga with Tanya, in the classroom we used pine tree pipe cleaners to create more gifts for families. The children used them to make...we'll let them tell you when you open it.
We wrote our classroom rules this week. The class completed the sentence “I like when my friend…” Responses were: plays with me, swings, plays superhero with me, plays dragon robots, and lots more.
We read two Gingerbread Man books. Children noticed similarities and differences right away. One book had only black and white illustrations, while the other had colors. One book had a river, one did not. One boy had two buttons, the other three. Both gingerbread boys got eaten! The class is excited to make gingerbread man cookies next week, and noticed the ingredients already on the counter.
Parents are invited to have Cookies and Milk with us on Friday December 20@ 11:15am. We have been reading some family books and thinking about how much our parents do for us. Therefore, the children will serve the parents cookies and milk.
Happy cold weekend,
Therese