Counting with Dot Painters

Arielle (mommy):

I created a simple counting page for Lil to use her dot painters on to show objects for numbers to 10.  I cut out brown construction paper to represent baskets, then wrote numbers 1-10 on them, and had her use the red daubers to add the correct number of "apples" to each basket.  This would also be cute with tree instead of baskets.  I really love having Lil use the dot painters for different math activities like this and the options are endless.  

Fall: Leaf Crayon Rubbings

Cynthia(Nanny):
Using the leaves we collected, we observed them and talked about how they felt and looked. Then, I modeled how to make a crayon rubbing. The girls had some trouble using the right amount of pressure and coloring in a single direction. Right now, they're still in the scribbling stage of coloring, so I had to realize their crayon rubbing wouldn't be as clear. Still, they had fun trying to see part of the leaf, especially the stem, show up on their paper.

Fall: Leaf Art

Cynthia(Nanny): Today we a tree with fall leaves using the girls hand and finger prints.

Fall: L is for leaves

Cynthia (Nanny):
Today I cut out leaves out of construction paper. I googled leaf templates to get an idea of how to draw the shapes. Then I gave the girls an outline of an L and had  them cover the space with fall leaves.

Fall: Leaves are...

Cynthia(Nanny):
After our leaf hunt we observed the leaves and then I asked the girls to describe the leaves using their 5 senses. Here is what they said.

Teacher Guru Spotlight: Ella Mae Woodlief

Cynthia thanks a special high school teacher.

When I was a junior and senior in high school I was blessed to have been a student of Ella Mae Woodlief. She was my Early Childhood Education teacher and FHA sponsor at Judson High School. Mrs. Woodlief was a wonderfully caring person who was there for me just as a parent would be.

What I'm most grateful for was the way she took an active role in helping me apply for colleges and find scholarships and grants I might be eligible for. My Dad had passed suddenly a couple years prior and my mom was now working longer hours to provide for my sister and I,  so I was going to need all the help I could get to continue on to a university. Mrs.Woodlief really helped make that process less scary and not become a lost dream.

I also remember her always staying late after school to offer her students extra time in her room to use her projection machine (yes, projection machine. Old school.) and other supplies to finish school projects. This was a class geared to teaching future teachers so we were always creating bulletin board materials, student games, and activities for the elementary classrooms we would visit.

Unfortunately,  I only kept in touch with her for about a year or so into college.  I wish I would have done more to touch base with her from time to time and let her know just how appreciative I was for everything she was to me.  A teacher,  a guidance counselor,  a listener,  but mostly someone who truly cared about me.

During the planning of this project I began searching public records for her,  but haven't located her yet. Wherever she is,  I hope she knows this kid really admires her. I hope to follow her lead and be a light for someone who needs that push to keep going and realize nothing is impossible.

Fall: Leaf Hunt

Cynthia (Nanny):
Today we began our Fall leaf unit by going on a leaf hunt outside. The twins each had a bag to put their leaves in.  They had fun running to find leaves and chasing butterflies along the way.  While we were searching for the leaves Big Sister found a wildflower and wanted to add it to her bag.  Even though we were looking for tree leaves I praised her for knowing that flowers have leaves too. Sometimes, kids will say or do something that you wouldn't expect and really show just how much their minds are always connecting and learning.  Just go with it.  ;)