Last week we continued our exploration into the season of autumn. We talked about autumn in relation to the other seasons, and discussed the things we see and do during fall. We discussed how birds and squirrels prepare for the winter, and connected these ideas to our previous discussions about fall, seeds, and trees. We also discussed how the amount of darkness during each day begins to grow longer, and why this happens.

            In conjunction with our class discussions we read a number of great new books. We read In the Dark, Dark Night and Switch on the Night, and discussed how we feel about having a bit more darkness in our lives as winter approaches. We also related this back to earlier talks about our emotions, and how our feelings were similar or dissimilar to those of the characters in the book. While talking about pumpkins, we read  The Biggest Pumpkin Ever and  The Pumpkinville Mystery. Later, during circle time we recited “Peter, Peter Pumpkin-eater,” and rolled a huge pumpkin back and forth to our friends! On our squirrel themed day, we read The Squirrel, Squirrels, and Chipmunk Song. The children had a great time pretending to be chipmunks like the child in the book, sniffing the air, washing their fur, gathering nuts, and building a cozy bed to sleep through the winter.

Outside, we took a nature walk to look at the trees and nuts growing in and around our school. After spotting several squirrels and a jay, we decided to collect acorns and maple seeds, so we could get a handle on the whole “squirrel” experience. While collecting nuts, a spirited bout of leaf tossing broke out and great fun was had by all! 

At the art table last week we made construction paper scarecrows, learned to draw and paint with silky sticks, glued plastic mosaic squares to create colorful ears of corn, we learned to use pattern brushes, and foam rollers as well as how to use different methods to create new shapes and patterns. We created bird seed squirrels by carefully gluing real seeds to paper squirrel cutouts; the children really enjoyed touching and

crushing the various seeds, and learning to use the glue to make patterns on their artwork.

At the sensory table, we worked together to cut open a pumpkin and played with it in the sensory table. The kids were busy at work extracting seeds with fingers and tweezers, and examining the interior. For afternoon snack we made pumpkin pudding, mixing canned pumpkin with vanilla pudding, and assorted pumpkin pie spices! Most of the class really enjoyed it.

During gym time with teacher Karen, the class got a chance to climb the rock wall, play hopscotch, jump rope, and learned to jump over hurdles. We also played tunnel tag, and practiced our running skills out on the field.

Our letter of the week was the letter Ff, we reviewed our sign language alphabet and opened our letter Ff bag, and made a fantastic list of words beginning with the letter Ff! The kids came up with: Fox, Faucet, Frog, Feet, Family, Fall, Fur, Food, Fish, Fire, Full, Fire drill, Fire engine, and Faint. Alton brought in his webkinz Frog, Cami shared her special Fish stuffie, and Amelia and Jane both shared birdhouses they had made for birds to live in during the winter. Thank you all for all of the fall and letter of the week shares.

In addition to our thematic talks, we have been talking with the children about personal space. We are continuing to focus on “using our words” to solve conflicts and getting an adult when assistance is needed. The class seems like they’re really beginning to understand both concepts! We are also working with the class to use stretches, deep breathing, and other movement exercises to help calm our bodies and minds before circle time and during transitions, the children are doing a wonderful job and they really seem to enjoy the exercises!