Recipes for Friendship, Hearts and Valentine Bags

This week the boys and girls were busy making their Valentine bags in preparation for Valentine's Day! Pink, purple and red hearts and doilies of several different sizes were selected and then glued on their bags. The children carefully added little dots of glue to the back of their hearts before arranging them on their bags.

Pouring tiny pink beads from cup to cup takes concentration but is lots of FUN!

 

Transferring with funnels, cups and measuring utensils was a highlight at the water table. When the children discovered red glitter in the water it was even more fun. Pink fly swatters were used to keep the sparkles in motion!

The children discovered which items were magnetic and which were not by testing a variety of objects. First the children predicted and then used a magnet to see if each item would be attracted or not. Then they separated the items into two different baskets.

Building with colorful magnetic blocks, the boys and girls were quite creative as they designed unique castles, buildings and parking garages. The children were amazed at how well their blocks stayed together with their special magnetic force.

SURPRISE! Our Zinnia seeds sprouted in the cups! The boys and girls have been observing them with magnifying lenses. After reading and discussing the non-fiction book, "Exploring Seeds" by Kristin Sterling the children examined the pictures of what happened to their Zinnia seeds and talked about it with their friends.

Roll A Dough letters and numbers was a new activity this week. The children pinched off chunks of play dough, rolled it into balls and finally into thin lines. Next they formed lines and curves on their letter or number card.

 

Mrs. Mundell introduced a variety of kitchen utensils and measuring tools used for baking. Then we shared the ingredients we might need to be a good friend such as love, hugs and kind words. Next the children cut out a folded paper heart and created a collage by adding hearts and arrows to their heart. Now the children will share their own "Recipe For Friendship."

Mr. Collins 7th grade English class shared their "Just So Stories" with our class. Titles such as "How the Tiger Got His Stripes" was an example of how these students explained in story form, why living things are the way they are today. Not only did we enjoy their stories, but we enjoyed making new friends at Shorecrest!

Mrs. McIvor introduced the violin to the children this week. They were quite excited especially when they found out they each would have a chance to play it! Of course we always are learning new fun songs and dances! Some of us even learned to twirl!

 

In Exploring on Friday we were busy making Valentine pancakes. The boys and girls helped Mrs. Samuel measure the ingredients for two bowls of pancake batter. (pink and plain) After cooking the pancakes, we used cookie cutters to make pancake hearts. Then we exchanged a pink hearts to place inside the plain pancakes and plain hearts to place inside the pink pancakes. After exchanging with a friend we ate our yummy snack!

Making heart wands by using a hole punch to make holes in our hearts, tying a ribbon around the hole and decorating it with stickers was a very busy activity. Then we wrote our names on the wand stick, pulled and cut tape to attach our stick to the wand before we were ready to shadow dance! Yes, patience was required!!

The children made a beautiful Valentine banner by using rollers with turquoise, pink and purple paint and rolling them over Valentine doilies. The boys and girls observed in wonder at the detailed transfer of the doilie. We will enjoy this banner hanging in our Exploratorium!

Dates to remember:
2/14  Valentine's Day Party 10:00 - Parent volunteers are needed to assist and help children read their Valentines
2/15  Relay For Life Lunch - The children may enjoy a hot dog lunch or bring one from home. There will be no SAGE that day.
2/20  No School - President's Day
2/29  Class Pictures
3/9  Spring Break Party