Christmas Art Creation Stations and Candy Cane Science (part 1)

Developing small motor skills is important to ensure strong handwriting skills.  This week, we had a lot of opportunities to work on our small motor skills in our Christmas Art Creation Stations.  I raided the craft shelf and last years Christmas decoration leftovers.  By simply setting out an "invitation" to create, the kiddos explored the materials, practiced their small motor skills and used their imagination to express themselves.

Making collages is always a favorite.  I keep a collage box at all times and add bits of this and that so we can make collages at any time.  Our Christmas collage was done on a star and our ornaments needed A LOT of glitter to make them sparkle.

Another invitation to create included sparkle pipe cleaners and beads.  My original intention was to make an ornament for the tree, but the kiddos decided to make bracelets.

By cutting out green triangles and punching holes around them, the kiddos decorated them with stars and laced ribbon through the holes.  What beautiful Christmas trees they made!

We began our Christmas book "This is the Stable" writing project and will finish up next week.

We ended the week with Candy Cane Science.  I had it all planned...I prepared plates with baking soda and candy canes.  I added the peppermint extract and red food coloring to the vinegar (vinament as Mrs. K calls it).  Everyone was seated at the table with their materials and eyedroppers ready to begin our experiment.

A minute passed and Mrs. L and I noticed that nothing was happening!!!!  I looked over at the supply table and realized that I put cornstarch, not baking soda on the plates!!!!  We let it play through and before you knew it, we made candy cane slime.

Thus, our candy cane science will continue next week.  We talked about how the slime felt, what it looked like and recorded our observations.  We will repeat our experiment using baking soda and record our observations so that we can compare and contrast the results.  As any teacher knows, some of the most meaningful learning that takes place in the classroom is not in the plan!

Kinders in Action

                Our Thanksgiving Program was success!  I am so proud of all the kids.

I had a relaxing Thanksgiving break with my family but was so happy to come back to the kiddos.  We used the first week of December to study forest animals and how they prepare for winter.  We also worked on some Christmas art for our classroom.

        We made some very beautiful owls with cinnamon pine cones so our classroom smells delicious!

                I placed eggshells and feathers in the Science area along with bird identification cards and books.

                 We practiced our small motor and creativity skills using push pins to make designs.  

The kids love the inventor's box that is full of loose parts.  They are able to make their own creations.

     Our Christmas Tree art was also a math lesson.  We practiced ordering from longest to shortest.

                 As we began learning about the birth of Jesus, we made angels to decorate our door.

I enjoy playing music softly in the background during learning centers.  I often provide books or other items that go with the music.  This week we listened to the Nutcracker and the kiddos liked to find the hidden nutcracker in our eye spy book.