Mrs. Mundell's Lively Ladybugs: Ovals, Spiders and "Animal House" Friends

This week we were introduced to the "oval!" The children practiced using "little dots of glue" as they created designs, faces, patterns and so much more by gluing various sizes and colors of ovals on a BIG OVAL!

Our new theme, "Spiders, Bats and Halloween" began this week and the children were engaging in all kinds of exciting transferring, building and dramatic play activities! One of their favorites were the spider and bat finger puppets. We read "It's Pumpkin Time" by Zoe Hall and "The Eensy Weensy Spider" by Mary Ann Hobermann and Nadine Westcot.

In Music we learned a fun new song, "Bats Are Sleeping!" Now we know that bats sleep upside down, are nocturnal and have a special quality called "echolocation." Echolocation is when bats make high pitched sounds that echo. This helps bats locate their food at night and fly around without bumping into anything! The children had so much fun flying around the room like bats, but remembering their "echolocation" which kept them from colliding with their "bat classmates!"

Many new hats were the highlight of our housekeeping area this week! We had pilots, crocodiles, monkeys, elephants and even a few farmers! Wow, some of us boarded a flight taking off to Disney! An experienced pilot got us there right on time and while in flight we were served quite delicious food by our flight attendant!

In P.E. the children were delighted to be outside on the court! (where we often see the big the big kids!) They had fun rolling little colorful plastic balls down the court to see if they could knock down the pins! Some of us had more patience than others, but we will keep trying!

Building away with the "city blocks" we were! Skyscrapers, apartment buildings and city parks were going up "like hotcakes!" Details were being shared about plans and special features of the structures.

Now that we have so much experience with the color "orange," we decided to stir up a batch of orange playdoh. Of course we made it as team, measuring, mixing, rolling and kneading.... then when all of the hard work was done, it was time to play! We made spider caves, jack-o-lanterns and the list goes on!

We had a very special visit from our friends at "Animal House!" "Jennie" was the first friend we met! She was a beautiful red-tailed boa constrictor who we learned was cold blooded, eats rats and has 100 teeth. She hisses instead of using her "words!" Next we met a guinea pig who eats veggies and is nocturnal. Then we met a bunny who was just getting his new winter coat, which was growing in thicker to keep him warm. Finally we met the long, skinny and furry ferret. We learned that he could run really fast and had a very flexible body. The children were bubbling over with excitement as each animal was introduced. We learned so much and enjoyed touching and seeing the animals!