Snap Ed

Pre-K is certainly getting a chance to exercise their sense of taste this fall. We have the privilege of participating in the federally funded SNAP Ed program ( Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) here at Dike Newell School. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that people living within a limited budget will make healthy choices and choose active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. Ms Gherkin comes to our class once a month with different foods for us to try and talk about. This time she brought grapes, kiwi and star fruit.

trying stone soup

Stone soup was popular with many children and their families today. Most kids tried it, a few said, "No thank you, "and a few said, "More, please!" Thank you for contributing vegetables, helping the kids to peel and chop, and joining our autumnal celebration.



A few folks asked for the recipe for the oatmeal bread that we served with the soup that day. It is a favorite of my family...

Nathaniel's Oatmeal Bread
2 c boiling water
1 c oatmeal (any type will do)
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c maple syrup
2 t salt
2 T butter
Stir the above together and cool to lukewarm.
Dissolve 2T yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.
Stir the above into the first lukewarm concoction. Start adding flour, 1 cup at a time, until you have a stiff dough. (About 6 cups?) Divide into three sections. Form each section into a long rope (you may have to let each "rope" relax for a few minutes as you try to elongate the ropes.)  Braid the three ropes and place on a cookie sheet. Let rise until double in bulk (I always do just the one rising for this bread.) Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops of the braid are nicely browned.

There were several adaptations of the recipe - different combinations of sweeteners - but this is the version that my son, Nathaniel, likes the best.

Stone Soup

I hope you have all enjoyed the famous fictional feast book titled Stone Soup, this version by Ann McGovern. To celebrate the harvest, and clever thinkers who persevere, we like to make Stone Soup in our class. Lots of willing family members came this morning, ready to take on the challenge of using sharp utensils safely with preschoolers. Our classroom was abuzz with happy kids helping to peel and chop contributed vegetables with family adults. A former pre-k student, now kindergartner, stopped by and a look of happy memory spread across his face, as he realized that it was Stone Soup day in pre-k. Here is a glimpse for you, too:

 

Just before dismissal, we assembled the big pot of soup as we re-read the book ... It is bubbling away on my stove as I write. Pre-k families are welcome to join us at 11:30 tomorrow (Tuesday) for a tasting.

Making Collections Math Game

In Pre-K, we play a math game called Making Collections. It is played with kids working in pairs. One student is the "hand" and one student is the "check." Each role has specific tasks, which, when I sit down to explain it, seem a little complex for pre-k kids. Yet, I'm writing to say it went so well today! Lots of choices to make, one to one correspondence, counting aloud, turn taking, and positive interaction with a peer.  I'm including some pictures of half the class, with the other kids in the background. (Pictures of kids will even out over time ...)

Shaping bagel dough

Mrs. Ricciardone brought in bagel dough for us to shape and play with recently, and to ultimately use at our Dunkin Donuts and Farmers Market centers.  We will paint and decorate the baked products, declare them as non-edible props, and sell them in the above "restaurants." Today at snack, we enjoyed a batch of homemade bagels to eat, plain or with peanut butter or cream cheese. (This batch was untouched by pre-k hands - but don't tell the young bakers please.)

Playing Restaurant

Hi Families,

The Pre-K gang is well into the dramatic play theme of Restaurants, and I wanted to share a slideshow of the kids playing in the different centers. Hopefully, you are also seeing the change of themes as you review your student's play plans with them at home. You may hear plans about, "I was the cashier, or the waitress, or the ice cream scooper, or the customer, or the driver at Dunkin Donuts, or the farmer at the Farmers Market." Queries you might have for the kids to encourage role speech and actions are, "What does the waiter/waitress say to the customer?" "What does the customer do at Subway?"