Monday, November 23, 2009

National Children's Bookweek Program



































































































November 17 and 18 pre-schoolers celebrated National Children's Bookweek by hearing award winning stories and making Chippewa Indian Dream Catchers.


Books used: My Mother is Mine by Marion Dane Bauer
Biscuit's First Sleepover by Alyssa Satin Capucilli


Finger plays: Touch the Earth and Mother Earth from 52 Programs for Pre-schoolers by Diane Briggs


Music: Four Baby Bumblebee's Classic Singable Songs by Kimbo Educational
Spin Again and Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill


Craft: Chippewa Indian Dream Catchers

Toddler Story Hour

On November 12, 2009 we had a toddler story hour.

Books used: My Very First Book of Colors by Eric Carle
My Mother is Mine by Marion Dane Bauer
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy

Songs sung: Alphabet song
Twinkle Twinkle little star
Wheels on the Bus
Eency Weensy Spider

Finger plays: Touch the Earth and Mother Earth from 52 Programs for Pre-schoolers by Diane Briggs

CD's used: Spin Again by Jim Gill
Toddler Time CD

Craft: Indian Headbands
















Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Missing Tarts














On November 11, 2009 the Queen of Hearts lost her tarts and families were invited to help her find them. I had eight in attendance and the kids had fun making tarts to eat.


I read The Missing Tarts by B. G. Hennessy. We made the tarts and while they were baking we played several games.


Games: Hot Potato, Red Light Green Light, Duck Duck Goose, Monkey in the Middle, Simon Sez, and Sit down Balloon Volleyball.


How to make the tarts: Refrigerated pie crust, circle cookie cutter, rolling pin, flour, mini muffin pans, and pie filling.


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.


We made cherry tarts and chocolate chip cookie tarts.


Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface. Place the pie crust on the flour. With the rolling pin roll out crust to be a little bit thinner. This way you can get 24 or more circles. If you want the crust to be thicker don't roll it out. Once it's rolled out take the circle cookie cutter and cut out as many rounds as you can. You can then roll the scraps out to make more. Place a round over a mini muffin cup and using your fingers gently press the dough into the muffin cup. Once all the cups are filled drop a couple teaspoons full of pie filling into each. I used a can of cherry pie filling.


Bake between 12-15 minutes or until crust is browned.


For the chocolate chip cookie tarts I used the Nestle Toll House recipe for chocolate chip cookie pie. I would recommend for the tarts instead of mixing in the chocolate chips into the batter place a few chocolate chips into each muffin cup and then spoon the batter over. Don't fill to the top. When I baked them they were starting to overflow in the oven. This way you could use different flavored chips like butterscotch or white chocolate instead of just chocolate. They baked at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Eating one is plenty these are very rich but the kids loved them. As you can see from the picture above that the chocolate chip cookie tarts were pretty much wiped out. There were like 3 left.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Toddler Story Time

They always seem to have a blast during toddler story time. Just look at all those cute faces.

Books Used: My Very First Look at Colors by Christiane Gunzi
Sea Lion Swims
Peter Rabbit's Five Fluffy Bunnies
Sleepy Little Yoga by Rebecca Whitford
The Usborne Nursery Rhyme Treasury by Usborne
Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown

Music Used: Baby Beluga by Raffi
It's Toddler Time by Carol Hammett and Elaine Bueffel
Cedarmont Kids Classics Toddler Tunes

Songs Sang: The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Counted to five

Craft: Thanksgiving Hand Turkeys














































Thursday, October 29, 2009

Toddler Story Hour



Books Used: The Usborne Nursery Rhyme Treasury by Dubravka Kolanovic

600 Black Spots by David A. Carter


I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath

Finger Rhymes by Marc Brown

Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera


Music Used: Animal Favorites by the Music for Little People Band

Toddler Tunes by Cedarmont Kids Singers


It's Toddler Time by Carol Totsky Hammett


Craft: Water Coloring Sheets

Fall Pre-School Story Hour

The last session of the pre-school story hour was a fun one. The kids came dressed up in Halloween attire and they were so cute. They got to parade around the library.

Books Used: A Job for Wittilda by Caralyn Buehner
Cat's Colors by Jane Cabrera
I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath
Clifford and the Halloween Parade by Norman Bridwell
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak


Music Used: Holiday Songs by Newbridge Learning
Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on his Toe Leg Knee
Burl Ives A Twinkle in You Eye

Songs Sang: Alphabet Song
Counted to twenty

Craft: Balloon Ghost





















Monday, October 26, 2009

Pumpkin Painting

What is better than carving a pumpkin? Painting one of course! School age children had fun painting their pumpkins and pasting on beads and feathers. And using glitter, can't forget the glitter.














































































Drawn by the talented Pamula Powell.