Week 1, 2s: Sitting still and getting into the swing of things

KELDA:
Our 2013/2014 school set-up is a little different than last year. The size of our group was becoming unmanageable and stressful, and as the 4-year-olds were ready to take on more complicated and time intensive projects it was clear we needed to streamline. 

This school year Lindsay, Evelyn and I are together with our seven kids. Three 2s, three 4s and a partridge in a pear tree (that's Henry). The smaller group allows us to accomplish so much more, though it has been hard saying goodbye to Dayna, Annabelle, Elly, Katie and CJ. Thankfully, Dayna was able to establish her own smaller group, and Katie is super busy taking care of CJ plus two additional kiddos she babysits for - all while waiting patiently for Alex to arrive soon.

So, we are organized this year among Lindsay, Ev and I in a three-week rotation: Each mom is responsible for the 2s one week, the 4s the next week, and has a break the third week (the "break" week is spent helping with the 2s, who are still require a 2-adult minimum to actually accomplish anything!). 

Week 1! I had the 2s and it was so wonderful. I really wasn't sure what to expect. Gus is only 15-months-old and I was nervous he would be a major distraction. But, overall it has been a fun and encouraging experience so far to see these little kids sitting through stories, participating as a group, and tackling projects that are likely a bit beyond their years. 

Overall our objectives for this week were to teach the kids to sit still, listen and to introduce themselves by name. Done (well, except for Gus, who hasn't quite mastered his name)! I also shifted gears a bit on Day 2 and offered more hands-on activities which seem to capture their attention best at this stage. 

DAY 1:

Look, we're sitting still! Calendar time and bible story.

Singing "This Little Light of Mine."

Henry

Bible story (Genesis 1:1)

"Before God created light, it was dark."

More dancing and singing

Color hunt - find the color red

Placing our found red items aside for an art project.

Red pom-poms, foam sticks, foam blocks and pipe cleaners stuck to contact paper.

I have a ton of contact paper and I'm looking forward to finding more ways to incorporate into art projects for the 2s.

The look on Juliette's face is due to the fact that most of the red items on Doc's project are hers :)

Markers on coffee filters... 

...in blue, green and brown...

...sprayed with water to resemble the earth. 

Oh the basket seats. More a distraction than anything...

Putting out fire with water bottles. 

Lunch outside (we bring packed lunches on Tuesdays and the hosting mom provides lunch for all the kids on Thursdays)

DAY 2:

Red sensory bin 

Water beads are amazing!

Red light, green light in our pajamas in honor of our book of the week, "Llama, Llama Red Pajama."

Remember Jello-O Jigglers!? Red snack time.

Cloud painting - these turned out really great. 

The paint is made up of 2 parts shaving cream, one part white glue and a shot of blue Tempra paint.

I gave the kids cotton balls to drag in the paint and stick to the paper, along with paint brushes.

Moving outside for some pouring, dumping and spooning practice.  

I gave them cups, bowls, spoons along with popping corn and dyed star-shaped noodles. 

Gus stayed on until the end! 

I also dyed water and let them pour from empty honey containers.