Pig on her Head - Laurie Berkner

H isn't just for Hand, it's also for Head.

We sing this little song by Laurie Berkner in class when we feel like celebrating our Heads.
Yep, celebrating. Having a Head is something to celebrate, wouldn't you agree?
Sure, you use your Head to think things!
But, what if you had a pig on your Head? or an alligator?. . .
We sing this song acapella and change the names to fit our needs of course:)
I love the creativity in this video so much.
I think I may even feel a Preschool Graduation Song coming on. . .


H is for Hand - Hand Print Sunshine

H is for Hands, both Helping and Happy.
Happy Hands

This fun art project had a couple different meanings for us as a class.

First, it's Letter Hh week. Hands, Helping, Happy!

And second, it's our class theme this month of showing gratitude.
One of the ways we can show just how thankful we are for someone, is to serve them. To Help them! Discuss with your students, the many ways we can Help a person and how Helping someone else makes both the person we are Helping and also us feel Happy.
Thus, Helping Hands are Happy Hands!

For this project you will need:
Yellow Paint
A Paint Brush
White Construction Paper
Scissors
Glue
And, yellow construction paper with the saying "Helping Hands are Happy Hands"
inside a circle for the center of the sunshine. I created mine using the Paint program on my computer, printed it out, and copied it onto yellow construction paper.

You will do:
Have student cut out their circle for the center of their sun.
Help your student paint one of their hands (palm) with yellow paint.
Help student stamp their hand onto the paper (several times-repainting
palm with each hand stamp) making a circle.
Have student glue and paste their circle center in the middle of their
hand prints, completing the sunshine!


*For all those of you who may be wondering how in the world I can help paint and stamp 12 little hands at once?! Most of these project types are done in rotating centers. One complicated center (such as this) and 3 other centers with activities that children can navigate independently:)


Also, be sure to include this book!
Hands Book
. . . THEY ARE FOR HELPING!!!

Hattie Hippo

On Miss Morgan's Bookshelf
Hattie Hippo
By Christine Loomis

Hooray for Hattie! This adorable hippo heroine is the new creation of acclaimed author Christine Loomis and award-winning illustrator Robert Neubecker. Follow her through this collection of four humorous tales and prepare to be charmed. - Scholastic Books Review

November Bulletin

Nov Bulletin 1
November is a month to show our Gratitude, to be Thankful.
As a Preschool Teacher, I try to put a little more focus on the being thankful part of this holiday and a little bit less on the Turkey's and Indians.
(No worries, Turkey's and Indians are not entirely forgotten.
They were a part of the first Thanksgiving after all:)


Discuss with your students what it means to be thankful. They will understand that being thankful for something means that you are glad to have it. Parents, grandparents, homes, food, and yes, even dinosaurs, cupcakes, cookies and eyeball candy:)
Nov Bulletin 2
Have your students draw pictures of some of the things they are thankful for.
Post their pictures on your bulletin board or the wall to share!

Letter Person G Coloring Page

"Oh Grasshoppers!
My Gorgeous, Gooey Gum, just got stuck on the Garbage can by the Garage.
I'm Mr G. And I've got Gooey Gum all over me."

Click on image to enlarge and print.

G is for Gumball

G is for Gumball 007
And, G is for GREEN.
Sure, anyone can buy Green Paint. But, it's so much more exciting to
make your own Green Paint!
My preschoolers know what it takes to make Green, ask them.
They will tell you that you need blue and yellow to make GREEN.
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Once your Green paint has been made,
the Green Gumballs come in to play.
For what? you ask.
Why, to PAINT with of course!
G is for Gumball 008
For this project you will need:
White construction paper or watercolor paper cut into half sheets
Green Paint
Green Gumballs
Painting Tray (like the fancy ones above, given to me by a room mom) or a Shoebox lid

You will do:
Insert your paper into your painting tray or shoe box lid
Plop a little Green paint onto your paper
Drop in your Gumball
and ROLL!

G is for Green and Glue

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First you take your Glue and your Green food coloring.
Then you drop a few drops of color into your bottle of glue.
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Then you shake, shake, shake it!
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Then you take your Green Glue, and you squeeze it!
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Titles for Tots

Miss Morgan's Monday Read
Gorilla, Be Good!
By Maria Fleming

Will Gorilla learn to be a good houseguest? As kids giggle at Gorilla’s goofy antics, they’ll learn about the letter G. AlphaTales are humorous stories designed to help young children recognize letters and the sounds they make. For use with Grades PreK-1.

Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!

happy halloween
T-REX
Spiderman
Batman
Princess Kitty
Princess Snowflake
Gnome
Hannah Montana
Tinkerbell
Captain Hook
Dragon
Witch

Bat Hat

Bat Hat
For this Project You will Need:
Black and Purple Construction Paper
White Card Stock
Googly Eyes
Black Pom-Poms
Scissors
Glue
Stapler

You Will Do:
Draw and cut out two Bat wings. (I usually draw my own patterns because I can never seem to find patterns that match what I envision when thinking up a craft!) Be sure to make your purple wings slightly smaller than your black wings.
Glue your purple wings onto your black wings in the center.
While your wings are drying, draw and cut out your Bats heads.
Cut out two white circles for the base of the Bats eyes. Glue them on.
Glue the Googly Eyes on top of the white circles.
Glue on a black pom-pom for the Bats nose.
Cut out two equally sized strips of Black construction paper, used to fit around your child's head.
Measure your childs head and staple the strips together accordingly.
Fold the inside edges of your bat wings in about 1/4 inch and staple them onto the hat.
Staple your Bats head to the front and you're done!

Titles for Tots

Miss Morgan's recommendation for a Monday
Aaarrrggghhh! Spider!
by Lydia Monks

In this hilarious picture book, a lonely spider watches a family having fun with their family pets and decides that she wants to join in. Excited by the prospect of becoming the newest family pet, she tries to impress the whole clan by showing them her fancy dance moves, jumping in the bath tub to prove her excellent hygiene practices, and weaving a web to catch her own dinner. Unfortunately, the family does not react kindly to her antics
and scoots her outside every chance they get...
A great spider tale for Halloween!

F is for Fall

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Leaf Rubbing
This classic art project is classic for a reason.
It's fun and easy and never gets old!

All you need are leaves, unwrapped crayons and paper.

Simply put your leaves under your paper, then secure paper with one hand and use the other hand to rub your crayon over the leaves that are under the paper!

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Tada!
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F is for Fire Station

Fire truck and Firefighter.
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Our trip to the local Fire Station was a hit!
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We toured the station and the Ambulance. We climbed on the Firetruck and talked about safety.
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We met Ryan the Firefighter, inspected his gear and practiced our STOP, DROP and ROLL.
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Firefighter Joel even let us take turns spraying the Fire Hose.
Boy, were we feeling lucky!
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Even Miss Morgan got in on the action!
And, she says that she has gained an even greater appreciation for these
Firefighters and she is grateful for their brave and selfless contributions to our community.
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A big fat thank you from Brilliant Beginnings Preschool to Firefighters,
Ryan and Joel!

Remember those halloween portraits that I was telling you about?
You know the awesome ones that are available to all, thanks to Ashley Thalman Photography?
Well, they've officially been snapped. For me at least.
And i'm not gonna lie. I knew how awesome they would be. Mostly because I know just how awesome Ashley is.

Enough awesome?
Okay, awesome.

Let me formally introduce you to my offspring. Miss Ellison, and Mr. Jonas.
Cuteness is Courteous of Ashley Thalman Photography of course.

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You're jealous aren't you?
DON'T BE!
There is still time for you to get your own darling little trick or treater(s) photographed.

Do you know how many moms I saw leaving kiddie kandids yesterday, with costumed children in tow and outrageously expensive prints in hand?

Suckers!

If only they knew what they were missing.

Ashley has tossed in a new deal, to the existing great deal. You can now purchase a CD of your high resolution images on the day of your session for $15. That's a seriously sweet steal.

Be sure to send her an email quick if you'd like a spot! Send it to ashley.thalman@gmail.com

Oh and, ever wonder what your kids will find when they surf the internet in 20 or so years?
I really hope my Jonas stumbles upon this little gem.

Franklin our Funny Faced Pumpkin

Let me introduce you to a new friend in our classroom!
Meet F-ranklin, our F-unny F-aced pumpkin.

Franklin
He and his Funny Funny Face are helping us learn the Letter F and celebrate this month of Halloween. He enjoys dancing and listening to our class sing but I don't think he likes the dentist!

If you are stopping by our classroom this month, be sure to say hi to Franklin!

F is for Face

We created faces today for the letter F!
This Face project produced such unique pictures! Each child took a different spin on "self portrait" and I was SO thrilled with the outcome.
This particular Face below is wearing a smiley mask with angry eyes. It is also wearing earrings!
Mask Face

This one belongs to me, Miss Morgan.
I was told that it didn't quite look like me and that it was a little boring.
I guess I'm not as young at heart as I originally thought huh?
F is for Face

Titles for Tots

Miss Morgan's recommendation for a Monday!
Ten Flashing Fireflies
byPhilemon Sturges

Luminous pictures and a rhymed text combine to make this two-way
counting book as joyous and magical as catching fireflies!
(A great Book for Letter Ff!)

Elephant Mask

These Elephant Masks gave me the giggles.
Seriously.
They were a bit awkward in assembly but, so worth it on the ADORABLE level.
The kids put them on once they were finished and we all started giggling.
Awesome.
Elephant 002
For this project you will need:
Paper Plates
Grey Construction Paper
Scissors
Glue
Tape
Popsicle Sticks
Grey Crayons or Markers
An Elephant Ear Pattern (Both Right and Left Ears)

You will do:
Give each child a paper plate and have them color it grey.
Cut two holes for the eyes.
Cut a strip of Construction Paper and curl it for the trunk.
Draw your Ear Patterns. One sheet of Construction Paper for each ear. (It's best to have these drawn or copied before class.)
Cut out Ears and glue or tape them onto the plate.
Tape a popsicle stick onto the plate to use as mask handle.

Letter Person E

Miss E Loves to EXERCISE!
Align Center

E is for Exercise

I believe that teaching children the importance of exercise at an early age is essential. Children are active yes, but often times I think that because children are active we forget to implement actual exercise into their daily routines and lives.

This week in preschool, while learning about the Letter Ee, we talked about the importance and benefits of getting good e-exercise daily. We discussed proper ways to exercise for all seasons, indoors and out. We discussed the functions of our muscles and how we can strengthen our hearts.

Here are some of the exercises we practiced.
They are awesome, and quite clever in titled.

For general warm-ups, try the "Tater Tot Trot." Jog in place and pump your arms. Every ten steps or so slowly stretch your neck, look back at the right shoulder and then at the left shoulder. For "Spud Sprints" look straight ahead and speed up to a running pace. It is important that students land on their heels and not on their toes. If fairly large plot of ground is available, try trotting on a running trail inside or outside. The "Trot" works the posterior deltoid, hamstrings, quadriceps, and illiposoas.

The "Strawberry Stretch" is a great exercise to stretch the back, arms, and shoulders. It teaches balance and coordination. First, cross your right foot in front of your left. Bend down, touch your right toe, count to eight, and then straighten up. Make sure your back stays straight and does not arch. Cross your left foot in front of your right and repeat the stretch. The "Strawberry Stretch" works the lattisimus dorsi, teres major, the triceps, and the biceps. It also engages all three parts of the deltoid, including the anterior, posterior, and the lateral parts of the shoulder.

"Pumpkin Peeler" works the legs, back, arms, and shoulders. It also requires balance and dexterity. To perform this exercise, stand and lock your fingers together behind your back. Bend forward at the waist and keep your legs straight. With your fingers still locked, raise your arms over your head. Hold for a count of eight. This can also be done by bending at the knees. Teach the children the importance of flexibility by stretching the calf and leg muscles. The "Pumpkin Peeler" synergistically incorporates the lattismus dorsi, teres major, and deltoids, while it gently stretches the legs.

The" Sweet Pea Ski" benefits the muscles in the legs and challenges the child’s balance. One should begin with feet together. Slowly bend at the knees while swinging both your arms to the right as if you were using two ski poles on that side. Straighten up then repeat the bend and swing to the left. The "Sweet Pea" is great for the inner thigh, the hip adductor, or the gracilis. It is good for the hip flexors, the obliques, and the pectineus. This exercise offers the added benefit of working the whole gluteus, which includes the maximums, medius, and minimus.

"Pepper Pops" are great for both the beginner and the advanced exerciser. It works the legs, chest, and back. Do jumping jacks and clap above your head. For a "Pepper Pop Plus", add a right kick and a left kick with a clap under the knee while ensuring that the back stays straight. These additional movements work the erector spinae at the lower back. The muscles of the chest, namely the serratus anterior and the pectorals major, also receive a workout.

The "Broccoli Bounce" is good for the upper and lower body. Stand with hands clasped behind your heck and your elbows drawn back. Walk in place, raising your knees, bring your left elbow down to touch it. When you lift your left knee, bring your right elbow down to touch it. The "Broccoli" is good for both the hamstrings and the quadriceps. It works the smaller muscles as well as the important part of the legs, the calves, or the gastrocneumuis, soleus, tibialis anterior and the knee.

"Cauliflower Chippers" are a great way to end an aerobic session. It works the knees and the arms. Bounce up and down with your knees without taking your feet off the floor. At the same time, stretch your arms to each side and swing them in giant circles. You may also flex and extend the important yet neglected extensors and flexors of the wrists. You can change the movement of the chippers as well as cooling down by a stretch by elongating your shoulders, back, chest, and arms. The students should be encouraged to walk slowly in order to stretch their legs properly.

You can add additional ideas to the session by playing the video section from the Veggie Tales song," The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. "Reward measured improvement with their own copy of the video, and have parents of your clients take turns bringing the snack of fruits and vegetables. Exercise can be fun for children with just a little bit of creativity.

E is for Ear

The Mystery of Sound
Developing critical listening skills.

Gather two identical sets of rhythm instruments. Place one set in plain sight and conceal the other set from youngster's view. As students listen closely, play each visible instrument and review the instrument's name. Next, play one of the concealed instruments. Then have students guess which instrument made the sound. Continue in the same way with each remaining instrument.

Halloween Portraits

My friend Ashely is an INCREDIBLE photographer.
She is creative, bold, tasteful, stylish and meticulous behind the lens.
And she, has an INCREDIBLE offer for Halloween,
one that you'd be a silly nilly to pass up!


Bring your little Trick-or-Treater's for a Photo and a Treat!
While these sessions will take place at Brilliant Beginnings Preschool, the offer is NOT limited to our students. Email Ashley to make an appointment at ashley.thalman@gmail.com
Refer your friends and feel free to take the announcement above and post it on your blog. Refer a friend and get $5 off your Halloween Portrait. Refer two friends and get $10 off. Heck, invite three and your session is free.

Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

Miss Morgan's Recommendation for a Monday
Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
By (my most favorite author) Mo Willems

D is for Dress Up

Mirror
This is our Classroom Dress Up Center.
You've never met?
Oh, let me formally introduce you.
A magical curtain encompassing a Fancy Mirror and a Treasure Chest full of Dress Ups!
Hats, Scarfs, Tutu's a More!
Dress Up Nook
Viking
E
Pirate
Chicken
Army
Gals
Loads of Laughs. Need I say more?

D is for Dragon

D Dragon
For this project You Will Need:
Green, Light Green and Orange Construction Paper
Googly Eyes
Red Tissue Paper
Glue
Scissors

You Will Do:
Trace and Cut out a Capital Letter D using Green Construction Paper
Cut out 5 Orange Triangles
Glue the Triangles along the back side of the Letter D
Dragon Spikes

Cut out a Small Circle of Light Green Construction Paper for the Dragon's Eye.
Glue the Small Green Circle onto the top right of the Letter D Dragon.
Then, glue 1 Googly Eye on top of the Small Green Circle Eye.
Cut a small strip of Red Tissue Paper for the Dragon's Fire!
Fold it in half, crinkle it a little, and then glue it to the front of the Letter D Dragon.
Fire
Tada!
Dragon Hanging

(My apologies for the poor pictures. You know, with the Kids, Sticky Hands, Glue,
Scissors, More Glue, and a camera. See what I mean?)