Hello to my nearest and dearest! It has been quite the journey since my last blog... I took a lengthy hiatus from the writing world but am ready to jump back into things. Recently, I have been inspired and eager to share my thoughts. So here we go.
In December of 2013, my family grew from just the two of us, to three. Miles, or 'Bird', as we are calling him, is quite the pip. He is a friendly little baby, who has a mind of his own already. I have learned so much in a short period of time and find myself continuously using my knowledge in early childhood education/development to make up engaging activities and help reassure and calm my nerves. (Being a first time mama, I am a nervous nelly and question myself all the time!)
I can't wait until he's old enough to experience preschool for himself, but until then, I am incorporating fun activities in our daily lives at home. This sparked an idea for me...as my life is shifting, why not adjust my blog to reflect my current lifestyle? Additionally, I'm trying to keep myself focused and mindful of my own life because I can get wrapped up in the day-to-day grind and not stay present. Does anyone else experience this?
Feel free to check in every once in awhile and see what activities we've been up to. If you live in the Milwaukee area, feel free to post some of your own activities as well! I love love love our city and what it has to offer!
Stay tuned MKE!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Autumn Everyone!
In honor of my favorite time of the year, I thought I might post a few autumn art projects and songs that I've taught in the past.
During the early cold months, one thematic unit I would teach was about owls and bats. To introduce this theme, I would read a story called Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. I was drawn to this particular book because of its beautiful illustrations and the peaceful song that accompanies it. This song/movement activity was a huge hit with my students and their families. Here is a link with the lyrics and you can easily get to the music by following the website. http://jackpearson.org/recordings/all-purple-tree-trunks/owl-moon/
To enrich this thematic unit, one of the art projects our class made was owl puppets. These turned out super cute-I kept them up all year!
When I did this activity with preschoolers, most of the materials were cut out and ready for the children to use but you can easily make this more challenging or developmentally appropriate for more advanced students by asking them to cut their materials out for themselves. The supplies you'll need to create this include: small lunch bags, cut up fabric (or scrap pieces of wallpaper, feathers, stickers, etc.), orange, yellow and brown construction paper, large oats, smocks, glue, glue containers and paintbrushes.
If you're looking for a quick and easy art project for Halloween, here is one that can easily be put together in a short amount of time. All you need is cut up paper towels, construction paper and glue sticks. Happy Halloween everyone!
During the early cold months, one thematic unit I would teach was about owls and bats. To introduce this theme, I would read a story called Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. I was drawn to this particular book because of its beautiful illustrations and the peaceful song that accompanies it. This song/movement activity was a huge hit with my students and their families. Here is a link with the lyrics and you can easily get to the music by following the website. http://jackpearson.org/recordings/all-purple-tree-trunks/owl-moon/
To enrich this thematic unit, one of the art projects our class made was owl puppets. These turned out super cute-I kept them up all year!
When I did this activity with preschoolers, most of the materials were cut out and ready for the children to use but you can easily make this more challenging or developmentally appropriate for more advanced students by asking them to cut their materials out for themselves. The supplies you'll need to create this include: small lunch bags, cut up fabric (or scrap pieces of wallpaper, feathers, stickers, etc.), orange, yellow and brown construction paper, large oats, smocks, glue, glue containers and paintbrushes.If you're looking for a quick and easy art project for Halloween, here is one that can easily be put together in a short amount of time. All you need is cut up paper towels, construction paper and glue sticks. Happy Halloween everyone!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Community Gardening Project
I have recently decided to apply for a grant to help fund a community garden project at my school and I can't seem to keep my mind off of it. ( I know all of my teacher friends can relate; your mind is never far from students, projects, lessons, assessments, etc. no matter what time of day or year it is!) I am super enthusiastic about this project but also very new to applying for grants. This will definitely be a learning process for me.
If any of you are familiar with Whole Foods, I suggest you take a peak at their community gardening project for yourself. It seems to be a wonderful opportunity for schools and the community and Whole Foods is giving $2000 to 1000 schools across the country. Start one for your school!
http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/08/apply-school-garden-grant/
So far, our team has come up with lots of ways to incorporate this into our curriculum and has also brainstormed many skills that our students can use in their future endeavors. Because this is in the early stages of the project, our team is just collaborating on ideas and building dreams. Here is a picture of a garden I am using for inspiration. Isn't it beautiful? I can just imagine our students tending the garden, eating warm tomatoes and serving the produce to locals. Can't get much better than that!
As this project develops, I will keep you all updated with how it's going. If any of you have thoughts or suggestions, please leave me some love in the comments spot. Thanks!
Mrs. Valerie
If any of you are familiar with Whole Foods, I suggest you take a peak at their community gardening project for yourself. It seems to be a wonderful opportunity for schools and the community and Whole Foods is giving $2000 to 1000 schools across the country. Start one for your school!
http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/08/apply-school-garden-grant/
So far, our team has come up with lots of ways to incorporate this into our curriculum and has also brainstormed many skills that our students can use in their future endeavors. Because this is in the early stages of the project, our team is just collaborating on ideas and building dreams. Here is a picture of a garden I am using for inspiration. Isn't it beautiful? I can just imagine our students tending the garden, eating warm tomatoes and serving the produce to locals. Can't get much better than that!
As this project develops, I will keep you all updated with how it's going. If any of you have thoughts or suggestions, please leave me some love in the comments spot. Thanks!
Mrs. Valerie
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Greetings and Salutations!
Thank you for stopping by my new teaching blog! I am so excited to share my ideas, discoveries, victories and mistakes with you as I experience my first few years of teaching in early childhood education.
I am new to blogging but I am officially hooked! I have started this blog to develop my technology skills, ( I'm trying to stay current with my students :) and to create more resources for myself and my fellow teacher friends. Wish me luck!
Mrs. Valerie
I am new to blogging but I am officially hooked! I have started this blog to develop my technology skills, ( I'm trying to stay current with my students :) and to create more resources for myself and my fellow teacher friends. Wish me luck!
Mrs. Valerie
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