Groundhog Day

It amazes me how simple things are so amazing to my sweet preschoolers!  Today we began reading about Groundhog Day.  Indoors we used flashlights to simulate shadows before we headed outside to check them out.   

Later we made our predictions about whether there would be more winter or an early spring.  The kids voted for an early spring!  We'll find out on Saturday what Punxsutawney Phil thinks! 

For we are but of yesterday and know nothing,

    for our days on earth are a shadow. Job 8:9

Experimenting with Preschoolers

We're working on our Arctic Animals Unit at preschool.  That means it's time to break out a few more experiments.  The first one we did was an experiment demonstrating how blubber keeps the sea animals warm in the Arctic waters.  

Next up we made our own ice bergs out of Ivory soap.  OK, so it's not a perfect fit but the kids were fascinated watching the Ivory soap expand in the microwave.  I picked up toy Arctic animals the kids could use to climb onto the icebergs.  We also used trays so the kids could crumble up their icebergs.  It made a pretty good mess but my classroom smelled incredible! 

The cooler weather forced us to an indoor recess so Jon got out our tent.  My kiddos used blocks and turned the dome tent into an igloo. 

By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. Job 37:10

It's an Avalanche!

We're having fun studying about Arctic Animals.  Today we had some fun with our avalanche experiment. We talked about the important role trees and rocks play when an avalanche occurs. 

We even had various Arctic Animals on our mountainside and looked at the protection the boulders and trees offered.  And of course we have played in the fluffy white powder when we were done! 

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

    so honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 26:1

Growing Sweet Things

It's getting close to Christmas time and my preschoolers are getting very excited.  In our centers room I created an ice skating rink with laminated white paper and plastic coated paper plates for skates.  I also set up a concession stand with hot cocoa and warm pretzels for the kids. 

In the classroom we had a little Christmas magic.  At the beginning of the day the kids planted peppermint candy in a cup of marshmallows and we set them by the window to grow.  By lunch they had grown into small candy canes and by the end of the day they were full grown candy canes!  

We talked about God's creation and how He gave us everything we need to grow.  This was just a simple, fun example of how that works.  It was so much fun watching the kids excitement as they watched their candy canes grow! I let the parents in on our fun! 

The righteous flourish like the palm tree

    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord;

    they flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 92:12-13

Christmas Recital

My sweet preschoolers have been 

preparing for several weeks for tonight's Christmas program.  Both 4 year old classes sang Santa Clause is Coming to Town. 

Later Kyle read Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.  The parents joined us for cookies and pictures with the Big Guy! 

The kids made decorative plates using their hand prints to create Rudolph!  They were very sweet! 

Jon and the kids came up for the festivities! 

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Matthew 24:42-44

Let It Snow

In preschool we are still working on weather unit.  Today for P.E. Class I thought we could do something weather related, so . . . . 

I found snowballs at Target.  They are plush, squishy, realistic feeling snowballs.  First I read "Snow" by P.D. Eastman about all the fun things you can do in the snow.  

Wes, our pulpit minister joined us in the auditorium for a snow ball fight!  Usually we discourage the kids from throwing things at each other, so Wes was good spirited and let us throw snowballs at him.  Once the kids saw it was harmless and fun spirited they were ready to take aim at each other!  

They ran off a lot of energy, had a ball, no one got hurt and no snow balls landed in the baptistery! Sounds like a great day! 

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

    they shall be as white as snow

Isaiah 1:18

Weather Unit Study

What a fun day of experiments at preschool today!  We are working this week on studying weather.  At the end of the day we had some fun with several experiments.  The kids love this time together and it's definitely one of my favorites when they can actually visualize the science behind what we're learning. 

We created clouds using shaving cream and blue water droppings.  Next, we created snow in a jar using baby oil, white paint, water, glitter, and Alka Seltzer.  The Alka Seltzer bubbles and propels the white glittery paint to the surface and then falls like snow! 

We also made thunder clouds using paper bags and simulated a rainbow using Skittles and water.  I love seeing the kids wonder and excitement as we play and learn! 

When He imparted weight to the wind And meted out the waters by measure, When He set a limit for the rain And a course for the thunderbolt, Then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out.  Job 28:25-27

Preschool Science

In preschool we are currently learning about fruits and vegetables. In my art center we did stamp painting with corn, bell peppers and onions. 

For the science portion I thought it would be fun to try an experiment to make kernels of corn dance. 

Supplies:
a clear glass container
popping corn
2 1/2 – 3 cups of water
2 Tbsp. of baking soda
6 Tbsp. of white vinegar
food coloring (optional)

Simply fill your jar with water and add a couple drops of food coloring.  Add your baking soda and stir well until it is all dissolved.  Add a small handful of popping corn kernels, I used yellow and red kernels.   Add the vinegar and watch the corn start to hop up and down!  

After I conducted the experiment I then had stations set up for each of the kids to pair up and try their hand at following directions and making the corn dance.  Some were successful, others didn't let their baking soda completely dissolve.  So, afterwards we sat down and talked about what went wrong and what worked! 

You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 18:4

Our 5 Senses

This week my sweet preschoolers are working on their five senses.  One of the fun project we've worked on was using marshmallows.  Marshmallows are something the kids can see, smell, taste and feel.  I even sat them out some magnifying glasses the kids could use to inspect the sweet treats.  

For a little extra fun we took the large marshmallows and microwaved them for about 20 seconds to watch them expand!  The kids loved it. I'm loving teaching the spirited group of four and five year olds.  

For privacy reasons I can't post pictures of their sweet faces but I'll try to keep the blog updated with some of our fun! 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
  Psalm 34:8

Preschool Meet the Teacher Day

Today I got to meet my preschoolers!  I'm so excited on Monday I start the school year off with twelve four and five year olds!  My class will have nine boys and three girls.  

Today I met the kids, several of them I knew from working as a teacher's aide last year.  The preschool is a great outreach for the church. About sixty percent of the students are from the neighborhoods around the congregation.  It's such a great opportunity, these families are relying on us to teach and care for their children and allowing us to teach them the Bible! 

Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16