Faithful Shepherd Discovery Center
Class- Discovery/Kinderstart
Notes to Parents:
February 13th & 14th: Valentine Parties (8:00-10:45)
February 20th: CLOSED, No School/No Childcare
February 28th: In-house Fieldtrip “Mike the Baker” (10:00 am)
February 2017
Sunday
Unit of
Learning:
Bears
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
30
31
1
2
3
Planned Experiences: Letter Mm Mouse (Kinderstart), Letter Mm mittens &
Marshmallows (Discovery), Paper Plate Bear Face, Brown Bear Puzzle, Hibernating
Bear, Bear Patterns
Snack: Mini
Muffins, Milk
5
Unit of
Learning:
Valentines
12
Unit of
Learning:
Valentines
19
Unit of
Learning:
Fiesta
26
Unit of
Learning:
Fiesta
6
Snack: Graham
Snack: Bears
Cracker Bear
Love Honey!
(Banana Nose,
(Honeycomb
Raisin Eyes),
Cereal,
Milk
Banana), Milk
7
8
9
10
Planned Experiences: Letter Nn Nest (Kinderstart), Letter Nn Noodles & Numbers
(Discovery), 3-D Heart Tree, Candy Kiss Art, “Owl Always Love You” owl
Snack:
Nachos,
Cheese, milk
Snack: Mango,
Apple, Milk
Snack:
Friendship
GORP
(Cheerios,
Raisins,
Goldfish,
Craisins), Milk
13
14
15
16
17
Planned Experiences: Valentine Parties: “The Day it Rained Hearts” Clouds, “Fruits of
the Spirit” Butterfly, Letter Oo Owl (Kinderstart), Letter Oo Circle Toilet Paper Tubes
(Discovery), Lacing Paper Plate Hearts
Snack: Angel
Snack: Angel
Snack: Oranges,
Snack: Letter
Snack: Heart
Food Cake,
Food Cake,
Milk
Oo Cheerios,
Tortilla with Red
Strawberries,
Strawberries,
Milk
Pepper
Whip Cream,
Whip Cream,
Hummus, Milk
Milk
Milk
20
21
22
23
24
Planned Experiences: Letter Pp Peacock (Kinderstart), Letter Pp is for Pink & Purple
Polka Dots and Packing Peanuts (Discovery), Paper Bag Maracas, Mexican Bean
Graphing, Paper Bag Ponchos
NO SCHOOL
Snack: : Apple
Nachos (Apple
Slices,
Caramel &
Chocolate
Chips), Milk
Snack: Teddy
Grahams, Milk
Snack: Letter
Pp Puff Corn,
Milk
Snack: Valentine
Pink Strawberry
Yogurt, Milk
Saturday
4
Dramatic Play:
Bear Cave and
3 Bears
Cottage
11
Dramatic Play:
Candy Shoppe
Snack: Heart
Cheese, Ritz
Crackers, Milk
Snack: Letter Pp
Snack:
Snack: Mini
Pizzas (Ritz
Quesadillas
Tacos (Tortilla
Crackers, Pizza
(Tortillas,
Chips, Refried
Sauce, Cheese),
Cheese), Milk
Beans, Cheese,
Milk
Lettuce), Milk
27
28
1
2
3
Planned Experiences: Letter Qq Queen (Kinderstart), Letter Qq is for Quarters and
Quilts (Discovery), Sombrero Hats, Cactus 3-D Art, Mexican Flag
Snack: Letter
Snack: Quick
Snack: Sombreros Snack: Chips &
Snack:
Qq Quesadilla Snack (String
(Mini Rice Cakes,
Salsa, Milk
Bunnuelos
(Tortillas,
Cheese), Milk
Cream Cheese,
(Tortillas, Butter
Hummus),
Gum Drop), Milk
Brown Sugar),
Milk
Milk
18
Dramatic Play:
Valentine’s
Post Office
25
Dramatic Play:
Fiesta
Restaurante
4
Dramatic Play:
La Casa De
Fiesta
Discovery Center: February News
“Affirming words from moms and dads are like light switches.
Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life
and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.
-Gary Smalley
Lake Area Discovery
Center
Volume 17, Issue 5
January, 2017
Kindness Counts
(adapted from http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/social-emotional-skills/kindness-counts)
When it comes to children, our attention is often drawn more to the crying baby, the grabbing
preschooler, or the siblings who obstinately sit on top of each other. We want to teach our children
kindness, yet the unkind acts often stand out more for us. That's too bad because what we focus on
is what we value, and that, in turn, leads to more of a similar kind of behavior.
The key to raising children who actively demonstrate kindness, helpfulness, and compassion is to
train our minds to notice those acts when they occur. Noticing children's kindness, and praising it,
not only encourages more of that kind of behavior, it has other benefits as well. It expands a child's
consciousness, fosters the rooting of a positive value system, and primes the brain for future success in school, society, and life.
What Kindness Looks Like
For children to develop kindness, they must know what it looks like, feels like, and sounds like. It must be labeled and described as it
occurs; just as you label objects for a baby who is learning to speak: "Spoon. Mommy has a spoon. Here's your spoon." The following
phrases will help you notice and point out kind and helpful acts in your children. Adjust your language to the developmental stage of
your child.
• Under 3 years old: "You picked up your toy. That was helpful." Notice how the kind action — picking up the toy — is
described for the child. The praise is also kept brief so as to be easily grasped.
• 4 years and older: "Cameron, you held your sister's arm so she could crawl into her car seat and ride safely. That was
helpful." Here again, the action of the kindness is described, but an additional element is added — a description of how the
action contributes to another person: "... so she could crawl into her car seat and ride safely."
Can you feel the difference between the phrase above and the casual, "Good job?" By noticing helpful and kind acts in this way, we
can achieve many developmental goals that lead our children to embrace our most cherished values.
• Describing children's actions helps children become conscious of what they are doing in the moment: "You picked up the
toys"; "You said thank you"; "You set the table." This consciousness stimulates the development of the higher centers of
the brain that are essential for problem solving.
• Stating how the action contributes to the welfare of others helps older children understand that they make a positive
difference in the lives of others: "You picked up the toys so no one would fall"; "You said thank you so your friends knew
you cared"; "You set the table, so we'd have the utensils needed to eat."
• Adding a descriptive tag gives a name to these actions: "That was thoughtful"; "That was kind"; "That was helpful." When
we do this, we teach our children exactly what these qualities look like, feel like, and sound like.
Recent research shows that kindness counts in more ways than the obvious growth of morality. We are not meant to be completely
independent nor dependent, but to give and receive in mutual interdependence. We all seek, on some level, to make a difference
and live a life of purpose. As we give to others, we strengthen ourselves. As we receive from others, we allow them to grow. Every
kind act, every contribution that we make, bathes our cells in a biochemical mixture of life-enhancing nutrients. The point is, being
of service it is a biological necessity that is required for optimal brain development. Random acts of kindness foster the
development of the higher centers of our brain. From these higher centers, our children grow to be readers, writers, scientists,
artists, and mathematicians, exploring the wonders of the world.
Five Big Valentines
(Hold up five fingers and put one down as you
count down with each verse)
Five big valentines from the corner drug
store
I mailed one to a friend – then there were
four
Four big valentines, lovely ones to see
I mailed one to my Mommy – then there
were three
Three big valentines – red, shiny, and new
I mailed one to my Daddy – then there
were two
Two big valentines, the best is yet to
come
I mailed one to Grandma – Then there
was one
One big valentine, the giving is almost
done
I mailed it to Grandpa – and now there is
none
(Words from http://www.childfun.com/holidays/
valentines/songs-poem-fingerplays/ )
Patriotic Parfait for President’s Day
Ingredients:
• Vanilla or Plain Greek Yogurt
• Raspberries or Strawberries
• Blueberries
1. Fill a cup 1/3 full with yogurt.
2. Have child choose to do a 1 or 2 color layer. If
only 1 color, add the raspberries or
strawberries (also add blueberries if doing 2
colors)
3. Add another layer of yogurt.
4. If doing one color, add blueberries on top. (also
add red fruit if doing 2 colors)
5. Enjoy your healthy President’s Day snack!
Snow Storm in a Jar (STEM at Home)
(From http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/snow-storm-injar_9.html)
Materials Needed:
• A jar or similar container
• Baby oil
• White paint
• Water
• Iridescent glitter
• Alka Seltzer
Fill the jar 3/4 of the way with baby oil.
In a bowl mix together very warm water
and white paint to make white water.
The amount of paint you need will depend on how much water
you will need to fill the jar almost to the top. Once mixed, pour
the white water into the jar. Have kids sprinkle in glitter. Then
wait for the glitter and water to settle at the bottom of the jar.
Once the water is settled it is time to make the snow storm! Take
an alka seltzer tablet and break it into pieces. Have the kids drop
the pieces into the jar and watch what happens