Registration for children entering Kindergarten in September 2010 will be held at Fox Hill, Memorial, Pine Glen, and Francis Wyman Schools on Monday February 1, 2010 through Friday, February 5, 2010 from 9:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m. each day. Children must be the age of 5 by August 31, 2010.
Please use the link below for additional information including paperwork that will be needed for registration.
http://www.burlington.mec.edu/ps/kindergarteninfo_2010/k_reg2101.pdf
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Play dough Recipe (indoor fun)
Although we have given some great suggestion for outdoor play we understand that this time of year children spend a lot of time indoors and that you are looking for an activity to keep them entertained. Here is the recipe for play dough as well as some suggestions on how to make it not only fun but an opportunity for learning.
Basic ingredient ratios:
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
food coloring
If you want your play dough to have a scent you can use cinnamon, jello packets, kool aid or other fun scented powdered materials.
Mix and heat
Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles mashed potatoes. (important to take your time and do this over low heat. If not you will burn and ruin your pan)
When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle.
IMPORTANT NOTE: if your play dough is still sticky, you simply need to cook it longer!
Keep stirring and cooking until the dough is dry and feels like play dough.
Knead & color
Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or silicone mat, and knead vigorously until it becomes silky-smooth.
Make a divot in the center of the ball, and drop some food coloring in. Fold the dough over, working the food color through the body of the play dough, trying to keep the raw dye away from your hands and the counter. You could use gloves or plastic wrap at this stage to keep your hands clean- only the concentrated dye will color your skin, so as soon as it's worked in bare hands are fine.
Work the dye through, adding more as necessary to achieve your chosen color.
If you use unsweetened drink mix for color, test on a small ball first- it won't go as far as the "real" food coloring.
Play and store
Play with your play dough It's entirely edible, a bit salty, but safe to eat.
When you're done store it in an air-tight container. If it begins to dry out, you can knead a bit of water in again to soften the dough back to use ability. Once it's dried past a certain point, however, you'll just have to start over; thankfully it's not terribly difficult.
Play dough is a great indoor activity. Here are some ideas to extend play and make it more successful:
Have a designated area on the table for the children to use play dough. A plastic place mat is an easy inexpensive way to provide boundaries when using play dough at home. Make a rule that play dough can only be used at the table and on a place mat. This will eliminate the problem of having it stuck to a rug or finding it on the couch.
Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. You can use alphabet cookie cutters and begin learning and sequencing the letters in your child’s first name. If they are beyond this move to the last or you could get fancy and do first, middle and last.
Use fun kitchen utensils such as garlic press, pizza cutter, spatula or other things that you can use to cut and press. While supervising your child let them use scissors to cut play dough into pieces. These are all great activities that will help strengthen hand muscles and develop fine motor skills.
The possibilities are endless when using play dough. The children love creating with the dough and it is a fun activity on a cold day when you can’t get outside.
Have fun!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Safari Scouts had a great time sledding today. I don't know who had more fun the students or the teachers. Thanks to the Safari Scouts teachers for providing the students with such great winter exercise.
Remember to send it appropriate clothes for the weather so the children can enjoy outdoor fun.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Winter Fun
Here are some ideas to make the snow and ice fun. Outside time is very important for preschoolers. We know that it is a lot of work this time of year, so we have included some suggestions on how to make it a fun learning experience for everyone.
First, make a game out of finding appropriate winter clothes. Make a list of things that you need to stay warm on a cold day, and then find the appropriate items. For example, your list could look like this:
Hat
Scarf
Snow pants
Winter jacket
Boots
If you want to be really creative you can go into google images and cut and paste appropriate pictures to go along with the list. Put your child on your lap while you do this and have them help you find pictures that best represent the items that they wear.
After you have gathered all of the items, have your child dress themselves for the weather. They will require some instruction on how to do this. Use positional words such as first put your snow pants on, put one leg in at a time, etc. Having your child dress themselves will not only promote independence, but all of the pulling, tugging, zipping and buttoning will help to foster fine motor development and body awareness. Wait your child out a little bit and have them try to do this as independently as possible. Some of the things will be a struggle and you will have to help them out, but see what they can do on their own.
Once everyone is dressed for the weather it’s time to go outside and play! Here are some fun winter and snow activities that you can participate in with your child.
Experiment with Snow
1. Do various experiments with snow, simply to see what happens.
2. Watch snow melt when table salt is added.
3. See how long it takes for different sized snowballs to melt in the sun.
4. Put snow inside different sized plastic pails and metal pots to see which container holds more.
5. Find surfaces that snow will stick to.
6. Discover which toys sit on top of the snow and which ones are heavy enough to sink down.
Paint the Snow and Ice
Using food coloring added to water let children paint the snow and ice with brushes or spray bottles. Let them see what happens when two different colors are mixed on the snow’s surface and how the color blends when ice melts. Teach them to paint their name on the snow bank in front of the house.
Look for Animal Tracks
While on a walk in the woods, show children how to spot animal tracks and talk about what the animals might be doing. Ask the children to make their own tracks in the snow using their footprints, sticks or their fingers. Let them look at the tracks with a magnifying glass.
Create Snow Drawings
Using sticks, pine cones, or even their fingers, have children draw pictures on a canvas of freshly fallen snow. Look for tree stumps, railings, fences, and benches as ready surfaces for children to show their creativity. Take pictures of their drawings to be used for the front of next year’s homemade greeting cards.
Make Slush Sculptures
On a relatively warm day, add water to the snow to create slush. Let the kids get wet and make slush creations, much like ice sculptures. Encourage them to use sticks, stones and other materials to add details to their artwork. Challenge the kids to co-operate on creating a slush wall, which can be used as part of an outside obstacle course
Snow is the perfect learning tool for science and creativity. Show preschoolers how to explore the wonders of winter and let their imaginations do the rest.
Snow ideas from:
http://kidsoutdooractivities.suite101.com/article.cfm/exploring_snow_with_preschoolers
First, make a game out of finding appropriate winter clothes. Make a list of things that you need to stay warm on a cold day, and then find the appropriate items. For example, your list could look like this:
Hat
Scarf
Snow pants
Winter jacket
Boots
If you want to be really creative you can go into google images and cut and paste appropriate pictures to go along with the list. Put your child on your lap while you do this and have them help you find pictures that best represent the items that they wear.
After you have gathered all of the items, have your child dress themselves for the weather. They will require some instruction on how to do this. Use positional words such as first put your snow pants on, put one leg in at a time, etc. Having your child dress themselves will not only promote independence, but all of the pulling, tugging, zipping and buttoning will help to foster fine motor development and body awareness. Wait your child out a little bit and have them try to do this as independently as possible. Some of the things will be a struggle and you will have to help them out, but see what they can do on their own.
Once everyone is dressed for the weather it’s time to go outside and play! Here are some fun winter and snow activities that you can participate in with your child.
Experiment with Snow
1. Do various experiments with snow, simply to see what happens.
2. Watch snow melt when table salt is added.
3. See how long it takes for different sized snowballs to melt in the sun.
4. Put snow inside different sized plastic pails and metal pots to see which container holds more.
5. Find surfaces that snow will stick to.
6. Discover which toys sit on top of the snow and which ones are heavy enough to sink down.
Paint the Snow and Ice
Using food coloring added to water let children paint the snow and ice with brushes or spray bottles. Let them see what happens when two different colors are mixed on the snow’s surface and how the color blends when ice melts. Teach them to paint their name on the snow bank in front of the house.
Look for Animal Tracks
While on a walk in the woods, show children how to spot animal tracks and talk about what the animals might be doing. Ask the children to make their own tracks in the snow using their footprints, sticks or their fingers. Let them look at the tracks with a magnifying glass.
Create Snow Drawings
Using sticks, pine cones, or even their fingers, have children draw pictures on a canvas of freshly fallen snow. Look for tree stumps, railings, fences, and benches as ready surfaces for children to show their creativity. Take pictures of their drawings to be used for the front of next year’s homemade greeting cards.
Make Slush Sculptures
On a relatively warm day, add water to the snow to create slush. Let the kids get wet and make slush creations, much like ice sculptures. Encourage them to use sticks, stones and other materials to add details to their artwork. Challenge the kids to co-operate on creating a slush wall, which can be used as part of an outside obstacle course
Snow is the perfect learning tool for science and creativity. Show preschoolers how to explore the wonders of winter and let their imaginations do the rest.
Snow ideas from:
http://kidsoutdooractivities.suite101.com/article.cfm/exploring_snow_with_preschoolers
Friday, January 1, 2010
Reading at Home
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some ideas and techniques when reading at home to your child. Children whose families read to them when they are young do better in school. They know about books and words and letters and sounds. They have experiences following a story and they enjoy reading. Early experience with books makes it easier for children to learn to read themselves.
Plan to read to your child the same time each day. Make it part of your family’s routine. Many families read a book at bedtime. If that is not a good time for you, find another time that works.
Sit side-by-side on your child’s bed, a couch, or the floor. Look at the pictures together and let your child help turn the pages. Pack a book for reading on car rides, trips to Grandma’s or in the doctor’s waiting office.
There are so many great books for children. The local library has a great selection and a wonderful children’s department. Try different kinds of books. Read stories, rhymes and information books. Notice which kinds of books your child enjoys most and ask your librarian to help you find more.
What to do During a Read-Aloud
As you read, talk to your child about the book. Answer questions and ask question of your own. This is how your child will learn.
* Name anything your child points to in the pictures.
• Point to pictures yourself and explain things as your read.
• Run your finger under some words as you read them, especially if the are in big, bold print or fun to say.
• Explain any words your child may not understand.
• Encourage questions and comments-get a conversation going!
The most important thing when reading aloud to your child is to have a good time. Make it a special time with your child and take the time to enjoy each other’s company.
Plan to read to your child the same time each day. Make it part of your family’s routine. Many families read a book at bedtime. If that is not a good time for you, find another time that works.
Sit side-by-side on your child’s bed, a couch, or the floor. Look at the pictures together and let your child help turn the pages. Pack a book for reading on car rides, trips to Grandma’s or in the doctor’s waiting office.
There are so many great books for children. The local library has a great selection and a wonderful children’s department. Try different kinds of books. Read stories, rhymes and information books. Notice which kinds of books your child enjoys most and ask your librarian to help you find more.
What to do During a Read-Aloud
As you read, talk to your child about the book. Answer questions and ask question of your own. This is how your child will learn.
* Name anything your child points to in the pictures.
• Point to pictures yourself and explain things as your read.
• Run your finger under some words as you read them, especially if the are in big, bold print or fun to say.
• Explain any words your child may not understand.
• Encourage questions and comments-get a conversation going!
The most important thing when reading aloud to your child is to have a good time. Make it a special time with your child and take the time to enjoy each other’s company.
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