Preschool Alternative & Prep:
Sunshine Studio
(Online)
Spring Session I:
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Tuesdays 11:10 - 12:0O. SPRING Part I runs to April 27th.
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ENROLLING NOW: Spring II
Tuesdays at 11:10-12:00
Dates: May 4th - June 8th. Space is limited. Please sign up early to ensure a space. Email with any questions.
Six Weeks: Cost $150.00.
Payment/Enrollment can be made here.
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Only if space allows.
General Supplies & Tracing Books.
THIS WEEK'S PREP & THEMES:
Reminder: Enrolling Now for Preschool Alternative Spring Session II.
Dates May 4th - June 8th. Six Weeks: Cost $150.00.
Night-night Moon!
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APRIL 26th: SPRING WEEK EIGHT!
This is our last week for this session.
Next week we begin Spring II!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring a recycled jar with a lid.
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Our COLOR is SILVER so bring something silver to class!​
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Our SHAPE is a Circle so bring a Circle to class!
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Our NUMBER is 11!
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Our letters are N & M
Blue Moon Art!
You will need:
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Tin Foil roll
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Glitter and Glitter Glue (if you have)
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Blue Paint
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Paper Plate (or cut a cardboard circle)
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Piece of string
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Special Night Night Project: Remember your jar and lid.
Plus: Glue and glitter, and any spangles or sequins.
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Letters & Numbers:
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Q tips and glue and paper
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Draw out a big N on paper before class.
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Draw out a big M on paper before class.
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Mmmm and Nnnnnn as in MOON!
Super short video - under 2 minutes - watch before and after class. Very cool
HELLO EARTH!
Earth Day is on April 22!
APRIL 20th: SPRING WEEK SEVEN!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring a (small) recycled plastic bottle with a lid.
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Our COLOR is GREEN so wear or find something GREEN to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 10!
SEED BOMBS! LET'S MAKE SOMEPLACE BLOOM!
You will need:
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2 or more packets of your chosen variety of flower seeds.
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Save some veggie scraps or peelings for “compost” (1/2 – 1 cups is plenty).
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Flour
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Water
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Bowl and Spoon to mix in.
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Plate or tray and some tin foil and wax paper for to seed bomb dry on.
After class you can find a place to seed-bomb for flowers!​
RECYCLING ART! Let's Make Water Bottle Maracas!
Talk to your child when you "search" and "find" the bottle about how we recycle to protect the earth.
You Need:
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Your empty Water bottle with the lid
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Liquid Glue (If you are low on glue make paste from flour + water.
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Magazine or Colored Newspaper pieces from recycling. Before class precut into smaller pieces - we can also tear it up more in class paper
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Paint and a brush.
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1/2 cup dry beans or dry peas.
BRING PLAY-DOUGH TO TRACE NUMBER TEN THIS WEEK!
Any flower seeds you choose would work - these are 1 day delivery with Prime on Amazon.
Z is for Zebra!
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APRIL 13th: SPRING WEEK Six!
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Treasure Hunt: Find something STRIPED to bring to class!
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Our COLOR is WHITE & BLACK so wear or find something WHITE & BLACK to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 4!
Z IS FOR ZEBRA CRAFT!
Before class prepare:
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Print the ART Z and the ART ZEBRA; Heavier paper is best. You can cut construction paper to fit your printer.
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Cut them out before class.
You will also need:
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Glue, Paint, Brushes. If you have glitter paint bring it.
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TIN FOIL ART:
Bring a roll of tinfoil and some shaving foam or foaming shampoo - plus your paint and brushes - to do some open ended sensory art too.
BRING TAPE!
LET'S MAKE STRIPES, a NUMBER 4 and a LETTER Z
Bring Masking Tape or Painters Tape and paper to make Stripes and Zs.
Or bring paper strips to make lines with.
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Z
Coming Next Week: Earth Day!
Hurrah, with letter Z we have done the whole alphabet!
Let's start to explore some fun new learning themes.
Y is for YOU!
And Y is for YELLOW!
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APRIL 6th: SPRING WEEK FIVE!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring a picture of YOU to class!
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Our COLOR is YELLOW so wear or find something YELLOW to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER 1! Bring ONE favorite thing.
Y IS FOR YOLK!
PAPER PEOPLE: MAKE A "YOU" PUPPET!
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Before class print and color the YOU coloring page.
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Parents cut it out to be a paper doll.
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Optional: Glue it on a wooden craft stick - or hold it free hand.
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Bring to class!
Let's make a Y from Yarn:
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Before Class print or draw a Y on paper with a sharpie.
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You need liquid glue, and some Yarn or String. You can precut some pieces.
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We will glue yarn/string lines to make a Y in class.
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Bonus: This is not only literacy play, it is also a great fine motor skill activity.
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Optional: Print or make number 1 to trace with yarn.
ART: MAKE HOMEMADE TEMPURA PAINT!
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Egg tempura: Bring Three Eggs and Food Coloring
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If you are Vegan, make Oat MIlk Paint. Bring Oat Milk (whole fat) and food coloring.
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Tissue or Magazine Paper for collaging
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Paper to paint on.
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Brushes or Q tips.
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A few cups to mix in.
Here are some favorite "you" words:
Thank you!
You're Welcome!
X is for FOX!
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MARCH 22nd: SPRING WEEK FOUR!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring something that's a BOX shape to class!
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Our COLOR is BROWN So find or wear something BROWN to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 6 as in SIX! Can you bring 6 (small) things to count?
FOR OUR FOX MASK PROJECT:
You will need :
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Print the FOX MASK printable. Cut out the MASK shape. Optional: Attached yarn or string ties with a stapler.
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Markers or Paint and brush.
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Suggest using heavier card stock paper, or you can cut construction paper' to fit your printer - it works I have done it! But if you just have regular copy paper it's fine.
OTHER FOX ART:
BROWN FOX PAINTINGS!
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Print out one of the Fox coloring pages to color or paint.
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Red and Blue paint to mix into BROWN.
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Cups and brushes or spoons to mix colors in.
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ALSO BRING:
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Masking tape for making an X.
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Playdough for making a 6.
JUST FOR FUN SAY THIS SILLY SENTENCE:
"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" because it has every letter in the alphabet in it!
Printable and tracing sheets are optional and for more fun with learning themes and skill practice. If your child is not into them yet, or for today, it's completely fine. Young kids vary in interest and readiness. Kids usually get more interested in their own time, and when they are ready.
W is for WINGS!
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MARCH 15th: SPRING WEEK THREE!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring something that's a CIRCLE to class.
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Our COLOR is PINK! So find or wear something PINK to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 12 For the Months of the Year.
FOR OUR BUTTERFLY ART PROJECT:
You will need :
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Print the Make A Butterly Printable. Before class cut out the Butterfly sections.
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Markers or Paint and brush.
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Construction other paper
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Glue and sticks or q-tips to spread it
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Any litte cups to mix colors
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Suggest using heavier card stock paper, or you can cut construction paper' to fit your printer - it works I have done it! But if you just have regular copy paper it's fine.
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FOR A CATERPILLAR ART PROJECT (OPTIONAL)
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Cardboard egg carton.
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Pipe Cleaners
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Paint
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ALSO BRING:
Craft sticks & White Glue, or some Masking Tape and paper to make the Letter W.
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A scarf.
V is for VOLCANO!
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MARCH 8th: SPRING WEEK TWO!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring something that's a TRIANGLE to class.
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Our COLOR is RED! So find or wear something RED to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is still 7: For the Days of the Week.
FOR OUR VOLCANO SCIENCE PROJECT:
You will need :
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A Roll of tin foil
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A box of baking soda and a tea spoon to sprinkle
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A bottle of vinegar
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A baking tray and towel to work on, just to catch any mess.
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Medicine droppers, little cups to pour.
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For Our Volcano Art You Need:
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A big paper triangle. Make out of grocery bag paper or something heavier.
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Red and Blue and Yellow Paint
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Cups for mixing colors
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Paint brushes
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For FIRE: Long strips of paper - ideally in colors like red/yellow/ orange, or long strips of magazine paper.
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ALSO BRING: Masking tape and paper to make the number 7 & Letter V.
U is for UMBRELLA!
U is also for UNDER...
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MARCH 8th: SPRING WEEK ONE!
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Treasure Hunt: Bring something that's a circle to class.
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Our COLOR is YELLOW! So find or wear something YELLOW to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 7: For the Days of the Week.
If you haven't yet, print and post these days of the week where your child can see them. Refer to each new day by name and point to the day's name.
Printable Worksheets are optional: For if your child enjoys and is interested in them - that indicates readiness. It os okay and better to just skip them if your child is not into them.
BRING A BIG SCARF OR A SHEET:
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Let's play with UNDER! In the Spring will the plants grow from seeds under the earth?
BRING PLAY DOUGH OR MARKERS:
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Let's play with the letter U and the Number 7.
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Print a big letter U or 7 page, or just make a giant U and a big 7 with a marker on paper.
FOR OUR UMBRELLA ART PROJECT:
You will need to prepare:
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Paper Plate cut in half, or make a Cardboard 1/2 Circle from recycling.
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Pipe Cleaners are good for the umbrella's handle - if you do not have any you can make a paper handle.
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Paints and brushes,
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For Collaging: Cut up smaller pieces of pretty paper or tissue, any magazine or colored paper is fine.
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Glitter glue or any other decorative materials you have in your own art materials.
SPRINGTIME IS COMING! MARCH 20th IS ALMOST HERE!
T is for TIME!
For February 23rd, Winter Week EIGHT!
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Parent Reminder: This is the last week of Winter Session. SPRING session begins next week!
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If you miss during Spring you can do a make up in Friday Art or Thursday Music & Sign.
Treasure Hunt: This week bring a clock or watch to class.
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Our COLOR is BLUE! So find or wear something BLUE to bring to class.​
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Our NUMBER is 12!​
FOR CLOCK ART:
You will need:
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Paper Plate, or make a Cardboard Circle from recycling.
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Pipe Cleaners are best for clock hands - if you do not have these you can use paper strips and a paper fastener to make the hands. One long andone short.
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Before class: Punch a hole in the center of the plate. Thread the end of the pipe cleaner in for the two hands. Or fasten the paper strips with the fastener.
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Before class: Print the clock face to glue on your plate or just use a Sharpie to write the clock's numbers 1-12.
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In Class: Decorate our clocks!
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Bring paint, markers, stickers and other art materials to decorate your clock!
CLOCKS ARE TIME!
Analog clocks are a great for showing children how time, hours and minutes, is measured. Do not expect your preschoolers to be able to tell the time soon. Just start to introduce the idea of time measurements as you talk about times of day, hours, days of the week, months. To reinforce the idea of time, try setting the paper clock's hands to a routine time, such as lunchtime or bath-time. Show your child how the hands work. and repeat "It's 12:00, that's lunch time."
CLOCKS ARE MATH!
Have fun counting the numbers, count the hours, count the minutes. Consider investing in an inexpensive analog clock, and letting your child change the hands and explore time with you.
As children get older, telling time with analog clocks also provides experiences with addition, subtractions and eventually division. For now, just explore the clock and how time works with your child. Simple math concepts will be happening and are embedded in the play.
S is for SEED!
For February 16th, Winter Week Seven!
Let's celebrate things from the EARTH as we look ahead to Spring!
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Parent Reminder: Our new SPRING session begins very soon! Please Sign Up beforehand to ensure a space.
Treasure Hunt: This week find EIGHT sticks, pencils or markers, or even crayons for class.
Draw or print the OCTAGON shape before class. It is helpful and fun to print or draw the octagon, to show and explain the EIGHT lines to your child before your search. Help your child count to find EIGHT items.
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Our COLOR is GREEN! So find or wear something GREEN, to bring something GREEN to class.​
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FOR ART BRING:
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White Paper Plate, or make a Cardboard Circle from recycling.
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Washable Glue
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Uncooked grain, either rice or lentils. Or both. A handful in a cup.
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Paints and Brushes
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FOR SCIENCE:
BRING EITHER BEAN SEEDS OR AN AVOCADO PIT:
Or maybe bring both - how fun!
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A. SPROUT SEEDS:
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Paper Towels
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Water
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Seeds (Pea and bean seeds grow quickly)
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Jar with a lid or a Large Plastic Zip Bag.
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I f you can't get to a store for seeds or here.
Any seeds are fine, but beans are fast to sprout.
B. AVOCADO PITS:
Another rooting project is with an Avocado pit.
You need:
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Avocado pit
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Water in a short glass.
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Use toothpicks to prop the avocado pit so about 1/2 of it is in the water.
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FYI it takes longer than bean seeds to sprout, so there is less instant gratification for kids.
Time lapse video of a bean seed growing into a plant.
R is for RED!
For February 9th, Week Six.
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Treasure Hunt: This week bring something to class again that is a RECTANGLE! But this week find different rectangular object to bring to class.
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Our COLOR is RED! So find or wear something RED, to bring something RED to class.​
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BRING: Tape and draw out a big RECTANGLE to trace. This repetition with a shape is important and a good thing to do. Plus, R is for rectangle!
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BRING: Your child's favorite stuffie, teddy bear, a baby doll or lovey toy to cuddle.
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SPECIAL VALENTINE ART PREP:
​This week we are making Valentines to give to people we love!
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Cut out some paper heart shapes. Print the Valentine Template here, use it to cut out some paper hearts for your child decorate. Or make some paper heart shapes free-hand if that is easier for you.
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Paint: Red, White & Pink. (For traditional colors.)
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Or any paint colors you want to make valentines with is also good.
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2-3 Kitchen sponges cut in half
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Paint brushes
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Paper plates or plates to separate your paint colors
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White wrapping tissue, or use toilet paper squares - cut them up into small squares
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EXTRA: For fine motor work, have some paper for your child to tear up themselves for collaging with. Let's repeat this tearing activity from last week to reinforce the skill.
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Glitter glue/optional
P is for PIG!
For January 26th, Week Four.
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Treasure Hunt: This week bring something to class that is a SQUARE!
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BRING Masking Tape and paper to Make SQUARES with.
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Our COLOR is PINK!
So find or wear PINK or bring something PINK to class.​
ART PREP: P is for PRESS & PEEL PRINTS!
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Lots of pieces of construction or white paper.
Paints:
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White paint if you have it, or quickly make white "paint" mixing together white flour + water.
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Red Paint
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Plus other colors - Yellow, Blue...,
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Brushes
Extra:
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Cutout a few 2" squares from cardboard box or thick paper.
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A long piece of string or yarn.
Make Pancakes This Week!
Kids love helping mix the batter.
Q is for QUACK!
For February 2nd, Week Five.
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Treasure Hunt: This week bring something to class that is a RECTANGLE
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Our COLOR is YELLOW!
So find or wear YELLOW or bring something YELLOW to class.​
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BRING Playdough and draw out a big RECTANGLE to trace
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SPECIAL DUCK ART PREP:
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PRINT and use the DUCK Template Shape to prepare for art this week. Cut out a Duck shape - or more - to paint and collage on. Try to use a heavy paper to make your Duck shape. (Grocery bag, construction, butchers is better than copy paper to paint on.)
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TEAR UP SOME Magazine Paper to collage with!
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HAVE Yellow Paint this week is you have any. Otherwise any colors are ok.
O is for OWL!
For January 19th, Week Three.
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Treasure Hunt: This week bring something to class that is a Circle!
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Our COLOR is BROWN. So bring something Brown to class.
Special Owl Art Prep:
Print out the Owl Shape Template and use it to cut out the OWL ART parts before class. Ideally make it with a heavier paper, like butchers, or construction paper, grocery bag paper.
Art Supplies For Class:
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Glue Sticks
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Paint (blue, red, yellow, we will be mixing BROWN.)
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Two kitchen sponges, cut in half (for painting with.)
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Brushes and mixing bowl.
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Also Bring: Play Dough and a piece of paper with a big O drawn in marker,
Watch a family of barred owls!
For January 12th, Week Two.
Special Art Prep:
Please cook in advance to bring to class: Spaghetti Noodles!
(Make them plain, no sauce, etc, just cooked.)
You will also need liquid food color and plastic zip bags, 1 or 2 paper plates and washable liquid white glue.
N is for NOODLE!
TREASURE HUNT:
Bring something, an object, that you use to cook with to show at class!
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Our Letter is N!
Use your tracing books, or print the tracing page and coloring pages here on this page to practice your N. (See the buttons to print.) Also you can draw a big "N" on some paper with a marker, for tracing with your cooked noodles!
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IT'S NOODLE WEEK!
AFTER CLASS DO SOME EASY COOKING WITH KIDS USING COLD NOODLES!
Maybe this week you can make a dish and have your child help you - using some cold noodles, or any cold precooked pasta, It is s a great way for kids to participate in meal preparation. Try making a cold pasta dish with your child. Pre-cook the pasta and prepare any chopped or other ingredients in advance. Then, after you have let the pasta cool, let kids add and mix in ingredients or dressing together before eating.
SOME SIMPLE MIXING INGREDIENTS:
1. Cold Noodles, let kids mix in some Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese.
2. Cold Noodles, kids can mix and make a simple sauce from Tahini + Soy Sauce.
3. Have kids mix in any other precut veggies they like to eat.
Find class materials here. Tracing books are easier that printing out the letter tracing sheets.
NEW FOR WINTER: If you haven;'t print this and put it at your child's eye level.
M is for MOUSE
JANUARY 5th, WINTER WEEK ONE:
This week we will also be talking about COLOR MIXING!
Inspired by the book "Mouse Paint" by Mary Ellen Stoll Walsh.
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TREASURE HUNT:
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1. Our SHAPE is TRIANGLE! And we were off for a week!
So this week bring TWO triangle shaped things to show in class!
2. We are talking about 3 Primary Colors this week!
So find something YELLOW, BLUE and RED to bring to class this week!
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Our Letter is M! Use your tracing books, or print the tracing page here to practice your M.
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BRING TAPE TO WRITE & DRAW WITH:
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Bring masking tape. (Or any colored tape) you have.. If you do not have any masking tape you can also use play-dough, or string instead.)
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Learn how we can make Triangles or letter M's from tape! (Our dough).
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To Prep: Write a giant M and Triangle with a marker ,or print the them with links here to have during class.
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Parent Teaching Tip: Using different materials to "write" letters or draw shapes during the week is a great early literacy activity.
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ART & SCIENCE: FIZZYWATER COLOR PAINTING!
We are doing a combo of early chemistry and art today!
You will need:
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Box of Baking Soda
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White Vinegar
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Paints
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Food Coloring
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Paper
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Little plastic cups (like yogurt or apple sauce cups) to mix in
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Spoons or popsicle sticks to mix
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Misc Paint brushes and q tips
Optional: Paint On An M Word
Print out the Mouse three time to paint one each color.
Or print the Mitten to paint on.
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Before & After Class:
Draw or print out a Capital M Dot Tracing Shape,
Draw or print out TRIANGLE Shape with a sharpie (permanent marker) on a couple of sheets of paper (before or during class is fine.)
