Since Valentine's Day is coming up, our week is filled with the theme of feelings! So far today we talked about what makes us happy and sad. We will save one entire day all devoted to angry. There are so much books about anger, which really entices and relates children to that feeling. One good book I have to mention is "Cool Down and Work Through Anger". My friend HW read this with the children and I thought she did an awesome job. Be sure to act out the actions and let them try out the "cool downs". It really works! Well, at least I think I do=) Right now, I'm sitting at home watching the food network while I'm making these "Feelings Book". I should have stuck with the main three- happy, sad and angry, but instead of keeping it simple, I wanted to share it all since all the pictures are too cute! I'm thinking about having the children talk about what makes them feel happy, sad, excited, proud, etc. I'll be there to jot their words down. Thank you to RA for the resource!

Frogs

The Wide-Mouthed Frog has always been a favorite of mine. It's a hard cover copy. There is one word to describe it: Quality. The animals in the story really pop-up in 3D mode. And don't forget to use your silly voices for these delightful creatures. The children really get into it. Especially at the ending=)

And why not add the "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" song to go with it? I made these little guys a while back. Took me a while to get their fingers right. I would say it's more of the back-side view of the frogs. I added some glittered spots on it's back and there it is, some speckled-ness.

Jump frogs, Jump!

It was my last day of visit at the preschool. I made my beloved-it teachers some personalized Thank you cards. This was the first time I've ever made Thank you cards and I wanted to make them special. Each card has a cartoon felt cut-out of the teacher along with a memorable object I remember sharing with them. I learned a lot from these wonderful teachers. I am glad that I had this opportunity to learn and refreshen my roots. It's not often that you get to visit a center and leave with a heap-load of ideas.

Thank you wonderful teachers! I know I will be seeing you soon during the annual Inservice.

Inspired by Charlotte Diamond's "I am a Pizza"

Need I say more? It is the best song of all time. I use to sing it with the toddlers and they would love it. Nowadays, I sing it here and there to get my preschoolers going. It was our baking day today and we made pizza for snack. I had to bring this song out to celebrate such an occasion.

Chinese New Year

Gung Hay Fat Choi! This year I went through my stash of books and found my "Bringing in the New Year!" I fancy this book very much because it was the first Chinese New Year book I've ever owned.

Chinese New Year brings back memories. Mainly memories of trying to find the right story or props to better educate the children. I made a Chinese New Year felt piece that I incorporated into several activities. Story is still in the process=) but, here's to share! 

Holiday Baking

It has been quite a while since I updated my blogspot. I just have been so busy with my schedule. Currently enrolled in Langara College's Post Basic Program. I am doing my practicum at one of the most amazing site. I was working on several different activities that I will be sharing after this month blows over.


Meanwhile, I would like to share one of my over-due highlights. I have been working on my baking skills. Every winter holiday, I would bake shortbread. Not just any simple shortbread, MATCHA GREEN TEA SHORTBREAD! I decided to share my recipe me M. She and I decided to bake for a Kensington Community Center's Craft Fair 2011. I don't have an awesome picture to show for this amazing shortbread sale. It went out like hotcakes. A little blurry, but this would have to do:


As for the snowflake sugar cookies. M and I took a lot of time flooding them with icing. The sugar cookies recipe was a special one with a hint of orange zest. I felt in love with them immediately. I even shared some for my children at the daycare. I shared the shortbread recipe to the teachers that month. We ended up making a batch of shortbread for the Family Holiday Potluck. Quite the hit I must say.

Finger Family

To my wonderful teachers out there, I would like to share one of my all time favorites:
"Tommy thumbs up"
My version that I learned is a little bit different than the ones found online nowadays.

Tommy thumbs up
And Tommy thumbs down
Tommy thumbs dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Peter Pointers up
And Peter Pointers down
Peter Pointers dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Tall mans up
And Tall mans down
Tall mans dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Ring Fingers up
And Ring Fingers down
Ring Fingers dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Baby Pinkies up
And Baby Pinkies down
Baby Pinkies dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.