'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.