Thursday, April 2

Morning all!
I hope that everyone is getting the hang of using this blog and doing activities with your child.

Two things I want you to remember as parents...
1.  It's the process, not the product.  In other-words, it doesn't matter what it turns out to look like, it's all about the creation.  Frogs can be pink and a chick's eyes may be by their feet.  Perfection is highly over-rated.
2.  Use what you've got.  Don't have paint?  Use something else - crayons, markers, make your own paint.  No glue?  Tape works too.  Don't sweat not having every little bit of material laying around.

EVERYONE:

Today's outdoor goal is to count the number of steps to your mailbox.  We're all going to need some help here.  Try it more than once - take big steps, normal steps and then tiptoe.  Which do you think will be the highest number?  Some of our 4s with older siblings can skip-count.  Use a small token for each 10 steps.  Can you skip-count by 10s to see how many steps there are?

READ to your child at least 30 minutes today!

These Blue Morpho Butterflies loved
Zane's bright shirt!  They stayed on his
shoulder the whole time we were at
the Butterfly Conservatory.

2s: Jeweled Butterflies

1.  Watch the video on our website of Eric Carle reading his book the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  (http://hstrial-wardschapelpr.homestead.com/Online-Preschool-Information.html?_=1585519659098)
2. You'll need from your bag: the foam butterfly and the handful of sequins.  You'll also need glue (like Elmer's).
     If you're feeling adventurous, let your child dot glue on their butterfly.
     "Just a dot, not a lot" is a good way to keep it to a minimum.
     Let them place their jewels on their butterfly.  One jewel at a time is great fine motor practice for your child.
     If you have a magnet, glue it to the back so it can be hung on the refrigerator.  Or tape it in a window so the jewels sparkle.
3.  Build with blocks.  Let your child practice making a tower.  How high can they go?  Talk about the number, count with them repeating the numbers.  Talk about the colors of the blocks.  Ask what they are building.  No blocks?  No problem!  Use boxes, spice bottles, or cans.  Avoid Legos because they stick together.  Let the tower fall.  Build it again!  Can you get just one more on there??

3s: Hop on in!  Let's learn about some 'leapers' today!

1.  Watch the video on our website about the frog life cycle.  (http://hstrial-wardschapelpr.homestead.com/Online-Preschool-Information.html?_=1585519659098)
2.  Using from your bag: the frog life cycle pages and the brown book.  You'll also need: a glue stick, crayons or markers.
     After you've watched the video, just look at the 5 pictures of the frog's life cycle with your child.  Do any of them look the same or similar?  Can you spot the subtle differences?  Which one do you think will come first?  What comes next?  How many pictures are there?

This is a Maryland Wood Frog.

     Let your child color the pictures of the frogs.
     Now put the pictures in order 1-5.
     Let your child use the glue to attach the cover to the brown book.  Now talk about the first picture of the frog eggs again.  Glue that into the book.  Continue until complete.
3.  Leap around like frogs!  Use pillows or another object as lily pads.

4s: Fantastic Frogs

This is an American Bullfrog.  He's a
relative of the frog in our classroom.

1.  Watch the video on our website about the frog life cycle.  (http://hstrial-wardschapelpr.homestead.com/Online-Preschool-Information.html?_=1585519659098)
2.  Many animals can jump.  A frog can jump 6 feet!  A grasshopper can jump 5 feet and a kangaroo 15 feet!
What you'll need: a tape measure and masking tape.
First, talk about the tape measure and what it's used for.  Show your child the numbers on the tape.  Show them how to measure something small, like their foot.
Mark on the floor a starting line.  Now measure out from the start and put a small piece of tape at 5, 6, and 15 feet.
Show your child how to use both feet together to jump from the starting line.  Don't worry - no one's looking at you!  Have your family take turns jumping and mark where each person jumps.  Take 3 turns each.
Who jumped the furthest?  The shortest?  Why?  What other animals can jump?  What happens if you run and then jump?  Find out!
3.  Draw a picture of something that begins with the letter U or V.  Can't think of anything?  Show your child how to use the dictionary!
4.  Practice your name and the letters U & V.