Spring is coming along on tippy-toes, but at Hazel Drive the children are learning and growing in leaps and bounds!

LITTLE BUNNIES AND COTTONTAILS:    MISS CATHY J., MISS LAURA, MISS CATHY, MISS LINDA, MISS KIM, MISS MICAELA AND MRS. SHIRLEY

My, oh, my, how much our Little Bunnies and Cottontails have grown this year!  A few months ago we formed the Little Bunnies Learning Club, otherwise known as the "Cool School" for the oldest of our Little Bunnies who are edging closer to four years old.  During their special time they are practicing important fine motor skills such as cutting, writing and tracing.  They are learning some letters and the sounds they make.  They play cool games like Memory and Color & Shape Bingo.  The Cool School kids have "moved up" to taking care of their own snacks: opening their lunch boxes and containers and making good choices. They've had a lot of practice choosing a fruit or something made out of milk first!  They take pride in being the biggest kids in the room and setting a good example for our little ones.

 

 

 

This spring, we've had a new crop of little guys and gals join us! Suddenly our room is busier than ever and filled with laughter and music and all the happy sounds of childhood!  We have been joined as well by a new teacher, Miss Cathy J., who is providing fun art projects, songs and games that coordinate with weekly themes. 

 

 

 

 

During our "Pond Animals" week, our walls got covered with frogs, turtles and beavers!  The children printed and painted, snipped and glued, and created whimsical art while learning about these creatures.  We got to examine real beaver cuts (courtesy of Mr. Fix-It) and talk about the work that beavers do to provide a home for their families.  We sang "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" and learned a fingerplay about a turtle:

I have a little turtle

And he lives in a box,

He swims in the puddles

And he climbs on the rocks.

He SNAPPED at the mosquito,

He SNAPPED at the flea,

He SNAPPED at the minnow,

And he SNAPPED at me!

He caught the mosquito,

He caught the flea,

He caught the minnow,

But he didn't catch me!                                                  TOP O' THE WORLD!

BIG HOPPERS:   MISS GLORIA AND MISS JOSLYN

The Big Hoppers have had a very productive winter and early spring!  Have you admired their beautiful art on the walls?  Have you seen the great work they have done in their writing and drawing?  Have you noticed their growth as they practice their letters, numbers, scissor work and coloring in the lines?

From talking about the weather on Ground Hog Day, to giving and receiving Valentines, and having fun with the leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day, holiday themes provide a backdrop for fun and learning in the Big Hopper room.  Art, songs and dramatic play teach children about these staples of our culture. Dr. Suess's birthday was a time to celebrate his work through art and reading. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the seasons changed, the Big Hoppers learned first about hibernation...and then about germination!   All year long, the Big Hoppers have been learning math concepts such as counting, addition, subtraction, classifying and patterning by using dried beans.  This spring, the children placed some beans into clear plastic cups with a piece of paper toweling, dampened the seeds and place them on the sunny window sill.  In days, the beans had burst forth from their shells, and the amazing process of germination and growth was observable!  Living things grew from these seemingly inanimate objects, right before our very eyes!

WASCALLY WABBITS:  MISS MISSY AND MISS ALYSSA

During the late winter and early spring, the Wascally Wabbits continued to learn their letter sounds, numbers, colors, shapes and patterns.  Those who spent part of their day with us before or after Kindergarten had their "Big School" learning enhanced with creative projects in Miss Missy's big room.  All the children grew in their knowledge of the important concepts and skills required for Kindergarten and beyond! 

As the oldest children at Hazel Drive, the Wascally Wabbits have greater independence and therefore many opportunities to practice their social skills.  With their teachers gently guiding them, they remember to share, negotiate, use kind words and work together as a community.  Not so "wascally," wouldn't you say?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the seasons changed, the Big Kids learned a lot about nature through their observations and instruction.  They discovered how animals survive the long, cold months of winter by hibernating, migrating or stockpiling food to last all winter long.  This year's mild winter soon melted into spring, and the children used their senses to find signs of spring.  They were rewarded with the sound of birds singing, the sight of colorful flowers springing up from the ground (Thank you, Little Bunnies and Cottontails, for planting those bulbs in the fall!), the scent of the damp earth and the feel of the green grass beneath us!  From books and songs, they learned that many baby animals arrive in the spring, both on the farm and in the wild.  We are treated to the sight of the many birds on our campus, singing happily as they fly back and forth, back and forth, building their nests. The other day, birds were spotted picking up moths and other tasty treats to feed their new hatchlings!

The children and staff of Hazel Drive Early Childhood Center wish you all the best as we roll into summer!  Love to you!  See you soon!

 

 

 

Some Wascally Bears Waking Up From Hibernating!