Wednesday, April 8

Frankly, parents, this blog is the only way I know what day of the week it is!  Boy, do I miss you all!

Today is Wednesday, today is Wednesday.  All day long!  All day long!  Yesterday was Tuesday, tomorrow will be Thursday.  Oh, what fun!  Oh, what fun!  (for those who are not 4s, this is sung to the tune of Are You Sleeping or Frère Jacques.)

EVERYONE

It looks as though it might rain today.  If it does, Rainy Day Dance Party!  Put on your favorite music - parents, it doesn't have to be kids music.  Dance for 3-4 songs.  Break out some scarves, ribbons, or beanbags to dance with!  Let It Go is one of the 2s favorite dance songs.

This might have been what Joseph looked like when
he taught Jesus to become a carpenter.

We know that Jesus was a carpenter, like his earthly father, Joseph.  He grew up learning to build and fix things.  We know this because it was written in the Book of Mark.
“'… Isn't he the carpenter, the son of Mary?" Mark 6:3

A carpenter is a person who builds and fixes things.  Some carpenters build houses, some build furniture, some build tables and chairs.  But mostly, they all work with wood to make things.  Today, you're going to work with wood to make something too!

2s:  Egg Sorting and Carpentry

1. Sorting Eggs

You'll need to print 3 copies of the Colored Egg Sorting page from our website.  After you cut the cards apart, mix them up.  Have your child sort the eggs according to color.  Talk with you child about the colors as they draw a card.  For example: This color is yellow.  It looks like the sun.  This color is black.  It looks like our kitty, Oscar.  He's black.  This color is pink.  Where are the other pink eggs?

2.  Carpentry

Talk again with your child about Jesus and Joseph being carpenters.  Here's your chance to become a carpenter.  Find some blocks or boxes to build with.  What will you build? Will you need tools?  Will you build a tower?  A house?  A table and chair for a tea party?  Take a picture of your construction to share with the teachers!

3s: Jellybean Graphing and Carpentry 

1.  Jellybean Graphing

You'll need the jellybean graph from our website and the bag of jellybeans from your supplies (not the one with the prayer in it).

Look at the graph with your child.  Explain what we use a graph for.  They show us how many of something we have in a particular category so that we can compare it to the whole group.  Point out how there are numbers up the side for counting the amount and colors across the bottom for putting into categories.  Name the numbers and the colors.

Take one jellybean out of the bag and show your child how to put it on the number 1 block for that color.  Remind them that only one bean goes in each space.  Continue until the bag is empty.

Look at the completed graph with your child.  Which color has the most?  Which has the least?  How do you know?  Do you have any color categories that have zero or a tie?  Explain that a 'tie' is when something is equal.

When the graph is complete, eat the jellybeans!

2.  Carpentry

Talk again with your child about Jesus and Joseph being carpenters.  That was their job.  Talk about other jobs, like what you and your spouse do.  What is your child's job?  (hint - it's to play and learn).

You'll need the wooden disc from your bag.  You'll also need some paint or markers, nails and a hammer, if you're feeling brave.  If you have a clothespin, you can use that to hold the nails so that you don't get your finger smashed!

Talk about the wood.  Why does it have circles on it?  You can explain that this tell us the age of the tree when it was cut down.  Can you count the circles?  What is on the outside of the circle that is rough and bumpy?  The bark protects the tree, like our skin.  Talk about the color and if there are any knots in the wood.  A knot is caused when a branch drops off the limb when the tree was alive.

Ask your child "What will you make with your wood?"  Have them paint it, decorate it, put nails in it, etc.  Take a picture of your creation!

3.  Cutting Practice

Print the Egg Cutting Practice from our website.  You'll also need crayons/markers and scissors.

Allow your child to color the egg as they like.

Point out the many dotted lines that are on the egg.  Have your child hold the scissors correctly in one hand and hold the paper with the other hand.  Gently guide them if they need assistance cutting.

When completed, see if they can put the puzzle back together!

4s: Letter W, Carpentry, Cutting and Graphing

1.  Letter W Card

You'll need the Letter W card from our website.  If you have card stock, print it on that for a challenge vs. regular paper. 

Using a writing tool, circle all the upper- and lowercase Ws on the card.  Color the picture.  Using a hole punch, see if you can punch out all the Ws.

2.  Carpentry

Talk again with your child about Jesus and Joseph being carpenters.  That was their job.  Talk about other jobs, like what you and your spouse do.  What is your child's job?  (hint - it's to play and learn).  What might they want their job to be when they are a grown-up?

You'll need the wooden block from your bag.  You'll also need some paint or markers, nails and a hammer, if you're feeling brave.  If you have a clothespin, you can use that to hold the nails so that you don't get your finger smashed!

Talk about the wood.  Why does it have lines on it?  If you look a the cut end, you can see the rings in the wood.  You can explain that this tell us the age of the tree when it was cut down.  Talk about the color and if there are any knots in the wood.  A knot is caused when a branch drops off the limb when the tree was alive.

Ask your child "What will you make with your wood?"  Have them paint it, decorate it, put nails in it, etc.  Take a picture of your creation!

3.  Jellybean Graphing

You'll need that handful of jellybeans I told you to save.  If not, see if the Easter Bunny can spare some for this project.  You'll also need the jellybean graph from our website.

Look at the graph with your child.  They have used graphs in class before, but explain what we use a graph for.  They show us how many of something we have in a particular category so that we can compare it to the whole group.  Point out how there are numbers up the side for counting the amount and colors across the bottom for putting into categories.  Name the numbers and the colors.

Take one jellybean out of the bag and show your child how to put it on the number 1 block for that color.  Remind them that only one bean goes in each space.  Continue until you use all the beans.

Look at the completed graph with your child.  Which color has the most?  Which has the least?  How do you know?  Do you have any color categories that have zero or a tie?  Explain that a 'tie' is when something is equal.

When the graph is complete, eat the jellybeans!

4.  Play Red Light, Green Light or Duck, Duck, Goose with your family!  You may have to remind your parents how to play.