Together

One of my favorite activities to do at the beginning of the year is covering a table with paper and providing assorted paint colors. We like to remove the chairs so it's more inviting to just walk right up, choose a color, and get started!

Often once one child gets started, a couple more join in. And the conversations begin. A great way to help foster those relationships at the beginning of the year!

The result is never the same. Just like each child. Unique. 

Chefs Hats and Aprons

During our Little Chef's camp, the children made their own chefs hats and aprons.

They decorated sentence strips and then I stapled white tissue paper from front to back, just enough so it still was poofy.

My co-teacher saw a cute idea for making aprons out of dishtowels, but since we didn't have any on hand, and wanted to stay within budget, she decided to use paper sacks instead. Just cut open a brown paper grocery bag and trim. Line the ribbon about an inch or so from the top, fold bag over so it covers the ribbon, and staple ribbon in place. The children decorated their aprons with stamps, stickers, and markers.

It's always more fun to cook (or pretend to cook) when you are dressed in the right attire!

Pass it On - "One Lovely Blog Award"

I am honored that Inspired Montessori passed the "One Lovely Blog Award" on to me! Thank you so much!

I was asked to post 7 things about myself and then pass this award on to 16 other great bloggers whom I admire. I am always so excited when I find a new blog, so it's my pleasure to share them with you!

1. I have been teaching 2 and 3 year olds in a small preschool since January 1999. My daughter at the time was a student there and I found out they needed an interim teacher. I had NO idea the wonderful journey I'd travel once I took that job! My daughter is now 16 and still enjoys going back to her preschool and helping me out. 

2. I wanted to be a teacher but was discouraged by just about everyone I met (there are no jobs, the pay is bad, etc.). So I decided to get my degree in graphic design. Just goes to show I should've listened to my heart all along.

3. This past year I have spent more time outdoors than ever. I have fallen in love with running (sometimes), hiking, and - most of all - cycling. I am always working on ways to get our preschoolers outdoors more often, and that can be a challenge with our Pacific Northwest weather.

4. I love my job because I get to laugh and play and listen to the most wonderful stories. Each day is unique and never boring!

5. I feel passionate about life since losing dear ones, especially my brother-in-law, James, 2 years ago. I now treat each day as a gift.

6. I am very sensitive and I think this has been one of my biggest gifts to my students. I often feel tender thoughts in their hearts that others might overlook. They all are unique, they all come to us with their own story to share. It's my job to honor their stories each day. 

7. Every day I am thankful for my job as a preschool teacher. I am proud to tell others of my career, of my passion for teaching these small people. I am honored that these families choose me as their children's first teacher.

16 great bloggers:

The Imagination Tree

Teach Preschool

Pre-Kinders

Living Montessori Now

Childhood 101

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Casa Maria

The Artful Parent

The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Happy Little Messes

Let Kids Create

No Time for Flashcards

Play At Home Mom

Let the Children Play

Pickebums

Not Just Cute

Oh, there are so many more! Thank you to all the wonderful parents and educators who take the time to share their thoughts and ideas on the web. I know how much time it takes, but you are all appreciated!

Time for a Break!

Today was our last week of summer camp. We had to move everything out of the classroom afterwards so they could seal the floors. I snapped a picture before the tables were removed. Amazing how blah it looks. And the stuff on the walls looks like clutter. I'm glad I took this picture so I could see what I want to change. I'm going with a more earth-toned look in the fall. I've been pinning several Reggio Emilia pictures to my Pinterest boards to get ideas. I want less distraction in the room.

I've got 3 weeks to rest and prepare for the new school year. There will be some staff meetings sprinkled in there, and I'll be working on the classroom here and there, but I love this time. I love planning for the new year, getting everything organized and ready for new classes.

Car Wash!

We just ended our Wonderful Water Camp. Finally, FINALLY summer is sticking around here. Glad I waited until August for this themed camp! My co-teacher came up with the best activity for a summer morning. Washing her van! I knew they'd love getting their hands in the soapy water, but I didn't think about what a great learning activity this would become. We learned about up and down and around, we noticed numbers and letters and shapes, we marveled that wet towels will stick to the side of the car! Preschoolers love to imitate what they see grown-ups do. Important work! So this was an extra-special activity.