Day 11 PRE-K

During our POND unit we had a "pond" in the classroom with stuffed (pond) animals. "J" put the snake around her neck and said, "Hey, do you like my boa---constrictor."

Day 10 Pre-k

Ms. Kelly was working with a four-year-old who made a beautiful picture for her mom. So...she asked her, "Would you like me to write 'TO MOMMY' on it?" Her reply, "I don't have two mommies!"

DAY 7, 8, 9 PRE-K

These are stories other Pre-K teachers shared and I had to pass them along.

During Thanksgiving Mrs. G. spent some time with her students explaining the meaning of Thanksgiving and why we celebrate it in the United States. After the lesson she asked this question: "Who celebrated the first Thanksgiving?"

Several children excitedly respond: "The Penguins and the Idiots!" HMMMM.....

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Student: "Teacher, Teacher, my mom bought me a hobo stick!"
Mrs. B : "A what?"
Student: "A hobo stick"
Mrs. B : "W-H-H-H-A-T?"
Student: "You know....like this (jumps up and down)"
Mrs. B : "OH....a POGO stick!"

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Ms. Paula shared this story about her son. While he doesn't attend our Pre-K program he IS in a Pre-K program, so I had to include it!

Ms. Paula and her 5-year-old son Matthew were outside on a windy spring day working in the yard. A big gust of wind came through and the shed door slammed shut.

Mom: "Oh, Matthew...I'm scared...we must have a ghost!"
Matthew: "Don't worry, Mom...it can't be a ghost...ghosts are nocturnal"
If only all the teenagers in those horror movies had Matthew's logic!

DAY 6 PRE-K

All four Pre-K classes are out on the playground together for some gross motor time. A teacher is squirting the kids with a spray bottle as they run by. One of the boys runs by the teacher and yells, "Rain me!"

DAY 5 PRE-K

Going along with our POND theme, we have been reading FROGGY books by Jonathan London. Today's book was FROGGY PLAYS IN THE BAND.

Heck, he doesn't just play in the band, he puts it together, and drills his pals for an upcoming marching band competition. At first they sound terrible, but they keep practicing and do pretty well the day of the contest, except for a mishap or two. Does Froggy do something embarrassing and turn red in the face? You betcha. But he also shows us the value of sticking with something difficult and surprising yourself at how much you can accomplish, if you just stick with it. An okay book to help reinforce an interest in music and the performing arts.---ReadThatAgain.com

Naturally we had to create a band of our own. We borrowed a huge box full of wonderful instruments (Thanks, Mrs. G.),each child selected a favorite, and the marching band took off around the room. When our beautiful song was over and our "parade" ended a very excited voice could be heard, "Wow! This was funtastic!"

I am fairly certain that is a seal of approval in the world of Pre-K.

DAY4 PRE-K

Today when we were putting on our jackets at the end of class getting ready to go home. Four-year-old "H" follows me to the teacher's desk and says, "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!" ...just out of the blue. That is totally a better lift than any Botox!

DAY 3 PRE-K

So....It's the third day in with this sweet class of Pre-schoolers. We've spent over 6 hours total together AND having great feelings about how smooth the transition has been AND about how well we've bonded. "J" walks up to me and says.....

"J": Who are you?
Me: Remember? I'm here because Ms. Erica had her baby?
"J": Oh, yah...I know you.

DAY 2 PRE-K

We began the week with a pond theme. During small groups we made a WHAT LIVES IN A POND book. The pages went like this: FROGS LIVE IN A POND. TURTLES LIVE IN A POND. BEAVERS LIVE IN A POND. A little four year old guy looks at me and says, "Frogs don't live in a pond. They live in Granite City." Who knew?

DAY 1 PRE-K

This week I began substitute teaching in a Pre-k classroom, because the teacher had a baby. At the end of Day 1 all the children were sitting on the carpet quietly (well, they were trying) reading books to themselves. One girl asked me to read her the Barbie Vet book, and several students gathered round.

At one point in the book Megan brings in a swollen cat to Dr. Barbie at her veterinary clinic. I ask the children gathered around me, "What do you think could be happening to the cat?" The boy on my right shouts in an excited voice, "She's going to EXPLODE!"

Correct answer: The cat is having kittens.

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO III

Two-year-old Max communicated with every animal at the zoo in the same language: "ROAR!"

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO II

On a recent trip to the zoo five-year-old Carter stopped to admire the lions. The large cats were sunning themselves on a slab of rock supported by two tall columns of rocks. Carter turns to his mom and says, "Look! The lions are sleeping on a bunk bed!"

Tune in tomorrow to find out what sound two-year-old Max thinks EVERY animal at the zoo makes!

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO

We pull up to the entrance of the zoo on a bright, crisp spring morning. The mommies are friends. The kids have been friends for life. It is sure to be a day full of making warm memories. My eight year old says in a sweet sentimental voice, "Know what my favorite memory from the zoo is?" One of the mommies responds, "No, what?" Jae's BEST memory: "The zebras peeing."

That was the first blog worthy moment of the day. Obviously this will be my first installment of MAKING MEMORIES AT THE ZOO. Check back tomorrow to find out what Carter thinks the lions sleep on.

MESSY!

We're going on day 7 of spring break. I vowed to concentrate this year on spending spring break focusing on the kids more and spring cleaning less. I think we've made lots of good memories together over break, but it all comes at a cost. Two-year-old Max walked down into my basement this morning, surveyed the resulting chaos and said, "What's up with this mess?"

FOODS 101

My 14-year-old son Jarrod had to make dinner for the family as a project in his FOODS class. He made macaroni & cheese, hot dogs, and smoothies. Sent him to the utensil drawer to get out the tongs...came back with the mellon baller. Sent him to get the table spoon measuring spoon...came back with a teaspoon utensil. Tried to put water in the macaroni and cheese AFTER he boiled and drained it. BUT....he really did a fantastic job. It was nice just hanging out in the kitchen cooking together. His big brother, Jerremy, and I use to cook together. Forgot how much fun it is cooking with my kids.

Quote of the night. When smoothies were made to drink Jae tasted hers and said, "I think we made LUMPIES."

MORE WITH OUR FRIEND DAVEY

Four-year-old Davey attends the day care in the basement of my church. His mom brought him to the puppet ministry program we had in celebration of Easter. He walks up the stairs, looks around and says in an awe inspired voice: WOW! This looks just like my school.

I hope you and the children in your life make many warm memories this Easter!

WARNING: HYSTERICALLY FUNNY

Mallory and 4-year-old Davey were walking to the egg hunt and it was sprinkling rain.
Mom: We sure are lucky to have an umbrella to keep us dry.
Davey: Yah, and... I sure am lucky to have eyebrows.