Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

During language experience, we made a snowman.  However, it wasn't the kind of snowman that you might be thinking about.  We made a snowman with food items.  We used powered donuts, chocolate chips, licorice and pretzel sticks.  While this snowman didn't last as long as one that is made out of snow, it sure tasted good!

   

Baby It's Cold in Here...

While a Virginia Beach winter is not extremely cold compared to the weather in some northern states, we have been pretending that the winter area in our classroom IS cold.  This allows us to talk about the language of winter without getting frostbite.  :)

The preschoolers have been dressing up in their winter clothes each day so that they can throw snow balls, shovel snow and build a snowmen.  The preschoolers have practiced the self care skills of putting on their own gloves, mittens, socks, boots, hats, jackets and scarves.  While they need some help, they are getting much better at trying to do it independently.  The winter area has also allowed us to learn about animals and how they can survive during the winter months.

 

 

During the second week of January, we had 3 real, snow days in Virginia Beach that helped the preschoolers to experience what a cold winter day can feel like.  When we got back to school from the snow days, there was a little bit of residual snow around the school.  The preschoolers loved shoveling the walkway so much, that they asked to do it again at recess time.  When it was time for library class, we brought a snowball into our classroom and put it on the table.  However, our room was so warm, that the snowballs melted by the time we returned...just like our story, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.   

I wish that the preschoolers could have had a little bit more snow so that they could build a real snowman at school.  Then again, maybe I should be careful about what I'm saying...I don't want to have any more snow days this year.  

 

 

 

The Airport

The OLES Airport has been up and running since our return to school for the new year.  In fact, the preschoolers have really been enjoying the start of our transportation theme and all of the language that comes with it.

On a daily basis, we practice packing our suitcases, buying tickets and boarding a plane that will take us to a cold destination such as Alaska or the South Pole.  We have learned about various community helpers that you might see at the airport, the vehicles that you would find at the airport and even the language for many of the actions that you might see as the plane takes off or lands or as passengers board the plane.

The preschoolers made their very own passports for their international trips and have taken many imaginary trips to locations far away.  To complement this learning, we packed a real suitcase during language experience and even shoveled some snow off of the runway so that our planes could take off safely.  Luckily, we have not had any flight delays or cancellations to rain on our parade.  :)

 

  

 

 

  

Gingerbread House Activity

Our last activity before the holiday break was really SWEET!   The preschoolers were able to drink hot cocoa on Polar Express Day with the principals at OLES.  Then, they made Gingerbread Houses with their friends & family members!  A good time was had by all!  We would like to say a special thank you to all of the family members who set up, participated in the gingerbread house making activity & cleaned up!  We couldn't have done it without you!