Valentine's Day writing and playing

Castles

Valentine's Day Writing

Our bags for cards

Friday, February 26 Prekindergarten will be learning how to make Shadow Puppets!

WE ALL MADE OUR PREDICTIONS-WHAT COLOR WILL THE FLOWER BE?

A big thank you to Mrs. Nikitas for the lovely pot and flower.  We are all waiting anxiously for it to bloom!

The Animal Feeding Station is Open!

Animals need extra food in winter.  The children made bird feeders and hung them out for the birds in this cold weather.

Chill + relaxation =Chillaxing

Scientific Inquiry-How do Beavers live in cold water in winter?

"How does a beaver stay warm in cold water in winter?"  Friends placed the beaver in water with snow and then put their hands in the cold water too and it was very cold!  Most of us couldn't keep our hand in that water for more than a moment.  Then, the children took turns covering a disposable glove with fat (Crisco) and then placing their hand in the water.  We could keep our hands in that water for a long time with the extra fat.  Children reasoned beavers can stay in cold water because their fat bodies keep them warm.

Everyone got a chance to experiment.

Now we know how beavers stay warm in cold, cold water.

To the right is a beaver pelt, a real one that we had a chance to feel.  It was put aside to keep it clean.  Beavers have warm, waterproof fur as well. 

Castle Blocks and Dragons-Imagination and Design.

Animals in Winter and lacing up mittens, cold weather fun!

A couple of friends use puppets and props to expand their knowledge of how animals survive in winter.  Owls adapt to winter and thus they are placed in the fir tree, complete with snow.

A friend and her teacher lacing up mittens, "up the mountain, down the mountain" using a simple running stitch.  Mittens were white just like Nikki's in "The Mitten" but ours won't get lost like his, they're too colorful. 

Sand Table-imagination meets sensory input

More fun in the Dress Up area

Discussion over who gets to wear what.

A second Dramatic Play area has opened up and it's DRESS UP TIME

Riding a broom

Afternoon friends were treated to OPERA from UCONN, see below if you'd like to go again or see it for the first time!

We [Mansfield Public Library] have a musical treat for kids coming up next Tuesday, Feb 16. UConn Opera  Outreach will be at Mansfield Library for a 2 PM performance of The Bremen Town Musicians by Maestro John Davies. You'll hear some of opera's greatest masterpieces as this beloved German folktale about four misfit animals comes to musical life. If you have any questions please call Mansfield Library at 860 423-2501. 

Rereading our "Know" anchor chart about animals' survival strategies in winter.

Last week rewards were earned for each session.

Children have the opportunity to see Democratic Principles in action.  The choice with the most votes carries.

VALENTINE'S DAY ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

We will have an exchange of Valentine's Day cards for the children on Friday, February 12.  The children will decorate a bag and drop valentine cards into each.  Best idea is not label cards with names, can be very confusing due to number of children and number of bags.  There are 14 friends in the morning and 15 in the afternoon; three staff in the morning and four staff in the afternoon.  Thanks for thinking of us!

Scientific Inquiry-Fur bearing animals in Winter.

Antlers, fox fur and rabbit skins with magnifying glasses, inquiry questions are generated.

Children discuss their observations.

Looking and feeling the artifacts.