Self-Directed...

These guys took turns being the "troll" and the goats from the Three Billy Goats, they made up their own color sorting game using the sponges at table cleaning time, and they selected their own books and insisted on story time.  They also used their nice manners at snack and lunch and did good sharing all morning long.  I'm so proud of them!

Now I'm the troll, and you be the Billy Goat.

"Clip, clap, CLOP!"

Gingerbread Man II

All the kids chanted "You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!" when we told the story this time. They also had a superb music time, sat very well for snack and lunch, and all pitched in to help at cleanup time. And Eleri got to feel Baby Jonathan kick!

 Thanks to Susan for these great photos!

gingerbread man II

Run, run, run, as fast as you can...

Wow, are these guys Gingerbread Man fans now!  They got a chance to try out their creative side by decorating their very own cookies, and naturally particularly enjoyed EATING said cookies.

They also said "again, again, again!" to the telling of the story and enjoyed some super-active bouncy time while chanting "Run Run Run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man!" They also demonstrated their master-level table washing and sitting still to eat skills and engaged in plenty of pretend play in between.  You can print out a set of Gingerbread Man coloring pages here.

Gingerbread Man I

Three Billy Goats Gruff

Well, it made perfect sense to them.

The kids enjoyed the Three Billy Goats... naturally, since they were the Billy Goats.  Some most excellent cooperative imaginative play went on with the vehicles and the hat box, too.  See you all next week!

Building Museum Field Trip

Thanks Megan B. for organizing this field trip to the Building Museum!

The kids clearly enjoyed the Building Zone, the place is gorgeous, and as far as they're concerned, a trip on the Metro is an end in and of itself!

Turns out, the museum also has "activity packs" that can be borrowed for $5 each and enjoyed in the enormous, open, indoor space on the main level.  Can't beat that!  We look forward to trying that next time!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

Thanks Susan for providing the photos from this lesson.  The kids all had a chance to explore fluid dynamics in the back yard and then enjoyed some active circle time activities focused on rhythm and rhyme.

We had a couple visiting mamas who were scoping out ideas for other co-ops- I hope they had as much fun as we did!

Little Shoes