WK9: Rocket to Outer Space!

It's hard to believe tomorrow begins our LAST WEEK of Summer Camp!!

Here's our schedule for the last week: 

Monday: Computer Lab    4K - 9 a.m.

                                           K   - 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday:  Moon Bounce   3K - 9 - 9:45 a.m.

                                           4K - 10 - 10:45

                                           K   - 11 - 11:45

Wednesday: Water Wednesday - Big Water Slides! 

Friday:  Ice Cream Dream Machine

Seminarian George from India visits Camp!

Today St. Meinrad Seminarian "George" Jissmon Jose visited camp to tell us about his journey to becoming a priest and his life growing up in India.

He also talked about how much Jesus loves us, and to remember to thank God for all that we have, especially our families, our friends, our neighbors, and the World.

George served as a Seminarian at Holy Rosary Catholic Church last summer.
This summer, he is at St. Michael's, also in Memphis. 

Thank you George, for taking time to visit!!

The Fire Department visits Camp!

On Thursday, the Memphis Fire Department came to LRSC!

We learned about the importance of fire alarms and how to identify the sound;

we saw what a firefighter looks like in gear and 

to not be afraid or hide if one helps you in a fire.

We saw inside each of the compartments of hoses, ladders, and saws;

and sat in the Jump Seat!! Such fun!! 

Thank you MFD!!

Officer Andy Rouse comes to Camp!

HR parent and MPD Officer Andy Rouse visited camp on Thursday,

teaching us about the importance of doing the right thing, 

listening to our parents and our teachers, and gun safety. 

Officer Andy told us if we ever see a gun to never touch it and to always tell an adult. 

If you have a play gun, they are best if they don't look too real; green, orange and other plastic pistols are just as fun but easily detectable as toys. 

We learned about emergencies and when it is ok to call 9-1-1. 

We learned what we will hear when we call: "9-1-1. What's your emergency?", 

and what information we need to know: our first and last name, address and telephone number. 

Thank you Officer Andy, for keeping our community safe!!

Ambulance Visit - Thanks EMHC!

 On Tuesday, we were excited when an Ambulance and Paramedic visited camp!

Mr. Paul let us sit in the drivers' seat, 

talk into the loud speakers,

honk the horn,

and turn on the sirens!

We then went to the back of the Ambulance and Blake had his heart rate monitored!

Caroline laid in the stretcher and Nurse June took the medic seat!

We learned when to call 9-1-1 

and how the medics in our community help in an emergency.

Thank you Mr. Paul and Emergency Mobile Health Care!

Week 8: Super Heroes in Our Community!

This week we will have very special visitors from our own community visit camp to tell us about all they do to help keep us safe, healthy and happy!

Tuesday, 7/21       Paramedics and an Ambulance

Wednesday, 7/22  Water Wednesday!

Thursday, 7/23      Police Officer Andy Rouse

Friday, 7/24           Seminarian Jissmon Jose (George)

I'm waiting on confirmation from the Fire Department on a truck visit. Hope it will available either Thursday or Friday.

In addition, if any parent would like to visit to talk about their role in the community, we would love to have you! Doctors, nurses, gardeners, construction/heavy equipment, stylists...!! You name it, please let me know. We'd love to have you!

Amy Stone - Face Painter - Visits Summer Camp!

Today, the amazing Amy Stone, artist extraordinaire, visited LRSC.

Within minutes, she transformed our children into superhero's and princesses.

3K twins Harry and Ruby show off the Spiderman and Princess looks.

Ms. Stone is so talented! 

With a few mere strikes of her brush

and these sweet faces as a canvas,

she designed fairy tale creations,  

making the children fairies,

fierce animals, 

and Super Hero's. 

Book her for parties and events at (901) 219-5864. 

For additional information, refer to her website: http://www.fairysandfrogs.com or Facebook page: 

Lichterman Nature Center - Reptiles!

'Brain Break' News

Rising Kindergarten families - each day after lunch, your children have the option of taking a nap or listening to chapter books I read to the class.

To date, we've finished "Ramona the Pest" by Beverly Cleary; "Charlotte's Web" by E. B. White; "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary; and "The Trouble with Chickens" by Doreen Cronin.

Today we started our fifth chapter book, "Lulu and the Brontosaurus" by Judith Viorst.

It's fun! The students lay on the carpet, we dim the lights, and I read. We talk about main characters, authors and illustrators, and the children often ask what a particular word means while I'm reading.

If you have any suggestions on upcoming reads, please let me know!

I've considered the following:

Matilda, by Ronald Dahl
The Chocolate Touch, by Patrick Skene Catlinge
Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein
Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Preferences? Suggestions? Let me know!

Week 7: Fairy Tales

July 13 - 17  

Monday     Dress Like a Prince/Princess
We'll read classic fairy tales, make costumes out of crafts (children may wear any         prince/warrior/cowboy?! + princess costumes from home). We'll have things for them at school as well!

Tuesday     Dragons and Reptiles
                   Lichterman Nature Center presents - Reptiles!
                   10 - 10:45         3K/4K2/K2
                   10:45 - 11:30    4K1/K1
                 
                    In the family room. Live reptiles will be present! :)

Wednesday Water Wednesday - Big Slides!
                    
Thursday    Show and Tell

Friday         Face Painter - Amy Stone
                     9 - 1:00   BRSC will attend
                     BRSC Live Production - time and title TBD

We have butterflies!!

During Week 3 we learned about insects and received a cup of caterpillars. We watched them eat, get bigger and bigger and form a chrysalis where they would transform. 

We waited and watched and on Monday, they began to emerge! 

As each opened up, we watched them closely, observing the proboscis (their straw-like tongue), noted the symmetry of their wings and their two antennae. We then let them go! 

They were friendly little buggers and sat on Mr. Danny's finger and another on mine before flying into the garden. 

Week 6: Avast me Hearties! Set sail for Pirate Week!!

Dress like a pirate, go on a Treasure Hunt and don't walk the plank!

WK 6   July 6 -10      Ahoy, Matey!

            July 6             Treasure Hunt

            July 7             Dress + Talk Like a Pirate                        

            July 8             Water Wednesday!

            June 9           Obstacle Course
            July 10           Ice Cream Dream Machine

Recipes - Icebox Pie and Homemade Jam

Our preschoolers first made jam during Week 2 of camp. The recipe is so simple and the results so amazing, that we've made it again and enjoyed it on pie for the Fourth of July.

Here are the recipes if you'd like to try these at home!

Strawberry or Blueberry Jam

2/3 C Granulated Sugar

2 Tbs. Instant Pectin (we use Ball brand)

1 2/3 C Berries - mashed

Combine the sugar and pectin, stirring into a large bowl.

 Mash the berries in a measuring cup.

This masher from Pampered Chef is perfect for the job!

Pour mashed berries into sugar+pectin and stir until combined. 

Pour into glass jars and refrigerate. This recipe makes 4 4-oz jam jars. 

Cream Cheese Icebox Pie

1 8 oz. pkg of cream cheese, at room temperature

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 C fresh lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 9-in graham cracker crust

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add the milk; stir until well blended. Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla. Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours. Top the pie with jam before serving.

Our Strawberry Jam and Blueberry Jam spooned over a cream-cheese icebox pie made the perfect summer patriotic treat! 

Fourth of July Cookout

On Wednesday, July 1, we celebrated our Nation's birthday with a picnic!

We enjoyed grilled hot dogs, chips, juice and brownies with patriotic pie with our homemade strawberry and blueberry jam!! 

Ms. Jessica's 4K'ers whipped up a beautiful ball of butter Thursday morning...

and we enjoyed it on rolls with more Jam!

Water Wednesday and the Big Slides - Round Two!

On Wednesday, July 1, the big water slide and slip and slide

made a second visit at camp!

We have 2 more visits...

Wednesday July 15 and 29th.

Every Wednesday (weather permitting) we will have water play; 

the big slides just visit every other week.

Customized T-Shirts

We've had a great response to the t-shirt activity and are working on several each day with the children. The shirts should ideally dry overnight, so if you would like to send one, it's best if you can send it prior to Thursday. Once the shirts have dried, we will bag them and send them home!!

Ms. Deepti (Neev and Neil Bhandare's mom) has designed a super-cool Captain America themed-shirt for the 4K student's in the room where she works with Ms. Ashley. (4K1 - Ms. Barbara's 3K classroom during the school year).

Here's a preview:

Water Wednesday + Cookout!!

Tomorrow we will have our annual Fourth of July Cookout which will coincide with our Water Wednesday. The Little Rams will have a little time on the water slides in the morning (10 - 11) and our sprinklers and little pools will also be set up for additional play. Send your child in water wear with a towel and a change of clothes.

NO LUNCHES NEED TO BE PACKED TOMORROW!!

I'm having trouble accessing my work email at home, so feel free to text (865) 385-8763 or email me at anndouglas@tds.net with any questions!!

Holiday Week Schedule!! - July 4th!

This Friday, July 3rd, camp will be closed in observance of the Fourth of July!

On Wednesday, July 1st, we will have a cookout with hotdogs, chips, fruit and lemonade for the children. Unless they would like something different, there's no need to pack a lunch!

In addition, we will be making customized hand-print Independence Day t-shirts again this year!!! If your child would like one, please send in a white T-shirt any day this week (prior to Thursday is preferable!)

Cooling Down with Summer Science

This past week, the heat-index neared 110 degrees.

So we played indoors...

with ice.

Using a solid sheet of ice, 

we sprinkled kosher salt on top

and took turns

squeezing food coloring on top.

The results were literally

cool!!