"APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS . . . "

Dear Families, Friends and Blog Followers,

According to lore, it is true . . .

We have really enjoyed spending lots of time, outdoors, this week, and, in addition to utilizing the new, coned-off bike area, we have had great fun dancing to music, planting seeds, (with Victoria -- mid-week), splashing in the water table and working on art activities, both in the yard and on the deck!!

On Monday, the children began painting with q-tips, and, by later in the week, were embellishing their artwork with glitter -- in tandem with said, by Thursday, our Butterflies and Puppies were stamping with spring shapes, with Krista, and using watercolors, with Bri.

Some of our little friends were playing Twister, on the hopscotch rug, while others were "fishing" in a pond, complete with magnetic sea creatures and boats, in the block area, in addition to a variety of math and literacy-based activites "planted", (:)), throughout the learning centers.

On both Tuesday and Wednesday, we made pretzels, with Liz, and, for meeting, Tuesday, just before lunch, Mrs. Goell treated everyone to a fabulously interactive puppet show, with her Slothy friend, Oliver!!

Early Wednesday morning, the children fashioned moon sand creations and participated in Kiana's "April Showers Bring May Flowers" project, out of which she made a stellar classroom book!!

Among the many stories enjoyed by all was "Zomo", an African-based tale, ehanced by colorful artwork, both written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott.

On Thursday morning, Kira, as well, reinforced patterning, by presenting her spring bracelet activity, while, later on, Tammy read about "creepies and crawlies" and Miss Amy prepared frozen juice and fruit pops, eaten out on our back deck.

Liz focused quite a bit on patterning, this week, as well, with a variety of activities, in which the kids were truly engaged, and, made a beautiful, fold-out paper flower to which we sang and about which we talked.

Mrs. Dolham's "gardening mystery bag" was a big hit, and, was reinforced by acting out weather patterns and writing and drawing in new and individualized observation books, now located in the cubby room on the science table -- thank you -- :)!!

At Friday morning's meeting, Kelly had all of the kids pretend that they were seeds, covered them, gently, with blankets, and sprinkled them with water -- genius!!

Haley patterned clouds, Andrea designed puppet umbrellas and Jen produced coloring, accompanied by a quacking duck and the book "Five Little Ducks", with the assistance of Brenda Wells, Cameron's mom!!

Thank you, everyone, especially all of our Early Childhood Care and Education students from both the Minuteman C and T and Lexington High Schools -- :)!!

Our Spring-themed tree has been partially decorated with artwork, including butterfly shapes, and crepe paper, and will, hopefully, be completed with paper chains and stickers, after vacation week -- as well -- the wooden peace sign is finished and ready to be displayed.

And, "Happy Birthday!!" to our good friend, Defne, for whom we are lovingly making cards.

Now, I am off to the parade and a party, with family and friends -- ENJOY!!

Love Miss Peacock XOXO