Weekend with Barny

     Barny the Barn Owl has been quite busy here at school participating in all of our activities.  Most of all, Barny loves being invited home with SMART START friends.  Students anxiously await their turn to bring Barny home and have him share in the weekend fun with their families. Here are some highlights from Barny's recent visits.

     Adelyn was delighted to bring Barny home and eager to share with her little sister, Astrid! Barny was introduced to a pig puppet while being wheeled around in a carriage. Adelyn had Barny join in one of her favorite things to do at home...playing house! Thank you Adelyn for taking such great care of Barny and completing the checklist!

   
     Erica was thrilled to bring Barny home to meet her family!  She was most excited to show Barny to her younger brother, Max.  Barny had a lovely time playing with Erica and they did a fabulous job completing the checklist together. Great team work! Erica enjoyed talking to her classmates at school about her special weekend with Barny!

    Tilly was overjoyed to bring Barny home! She introduced Barny to her big brother Milo and family. They all played games with him and ate meals together. Tilly and Barny completed all checklist items and really enjoyed their time together. Here at school, Tilly did wonderful sharing her checklist with the group and answering questions from friends. Barny received lots of hugs and cuddles over the weekend!

     

     Barny is a well loved Barn Owl!  Thank you SMART START friends and family for allowing Barny to be a part of your weekend while participating in this on going extended learning unit.  Your willingness and support is always appreciated!

                                 💙 Mary and Francesca 💙

All About Me Featuring Cody

     December commenced "All About Me"!  Every student will have the opportunity to participate in this new activity here at SMART START.  Posters will be sent home one month prior to due date and are to be returned decorated. During your child(ren)'s "All About Me" month, they will receive special privileges such as, being the line leader for activities and help with chores/tasks. Each week our classroom will gather to view the "All About Me" poster featuring: name, age, a self-portrait, what they want to be when they grow up and more! At the end of the month, a "Student of the Month" award and Star Student sticker are given.

     Our first SMART START pupil showcased was Cody! This month was special as he celebrated his 3rd birthday! Cody proudly presented his "All About Me" poster with the class. He did a wonderful job answering questions from his peers. He drew his own self-portrait and everyone was quite impressed. Nice work!  Here are some facts we learned about Cody: Favorite color - Red Favorite animal - Bunny 🐰 Favorite food - Tomatoes from the garden 🍅 Favorite thing to do - Play 😄 Favorite place to visit- The Cape 🌊 When I grow up I want to be - Fireman 🚒 If I had one wish, I would wish for - Tractor 🚜

     Cody was excited when we presented him with his "Student of the Month" award and could hardly wait to bring it home.  Thank you Cody for being our first "All About Me" student.  We loved learning more about you!

         Cody is a wonderful and smart young boy. It has been our absolute pleasure to educate and care for him over the past two years.  We have watched him grow in leaps and bounds!  Cody was delighted  to celebrate his 3rd birthday here at school with his friends!  The children gathered together to present Cody with a special birthday gift and sang "Happy Birthday!"  Everyone enjoyed the delicious birthday cupcakes and goody bags brought in by Cody.  Happy 3rd Birthday, Cody!  

      We hope you enjoy this extended learning activity with your child(ren) and appreciate your efforts. 

💙 Mary and Francesca 💙

Welcome Winter

   We have welcomed winter with open arms here at SMART START as our students have thoroughly been enjoying all things cold and snowy! 

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     Whether it be listening to songs or playing with instruments the children absolutely love music.  We have introduced two new songs, the classic "Frosty the Snowman" and "Winter is Wonderful" by Barney.  Our singing friends have done a fantastic job learning lyrics and dancing to these Winter jingles. We hope you enjoy them as well!

     Winter is wonderful and full of special things to do!  We were fortunate to get our first snowfall before the official start of Winter. Here at SMART START, our backyard classroom transformed into a winter wonderland. Our pupils looked adorable bundled in their snow gear and smiles on their faces. Snowy day fun included: making snowballs, snow angels and sledding! Oh what fun it is to ride on a sled with SMART START friends!

     Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  Snow days here at school means we have a lot of work to do!  SMART START shovelers cleared the snow to form paths for safe walking.  Great job!

     The Winter season lends itself to many themed arts and crafts projects fun for children of all ages!  SMART START artists were delighted to make a felt snowman. Each glued on the parts of the snowman along with a big snowflake. Markers, bonkers and glitter were also used to decorate. Our crafters were proud of their snowman and excited to it bring home. 

      After playing outside in the snow and braving cold temperatures, we brought snowball fun to our indoor classroom. Students took part in a matching and counting snowball game, building towers and castles with snowballs and a game of snowball toss. These are great activities to foster hand-eye coordination, as well as further develop gross motor skills.  We are always finding exciting ways to integrate learning and development into our curriculum.

     The perfect way to stay warm is to cozy up with a book!  Here at SMART START, our library  is stocked with a variety of Winter themed books for the official welcoming of the new season.  Students have been exploring Winter through independent reading, as well as during group story time and with friends.  Favorites include: The Mitten by Jan Bret and Winter Tales by Maurice Sendak. 

     SMART START mathematicians have been using and enhancing their skills through a felt snowman counting and matching game. Older classmates are always warm and inclusive while assisting our younger learners with more challenging preschool activities.

     Winter friends are enjoying snowman puzzles, lacing boards,  a stackable wooden snowman, snowmen puppets games and more.

     SMART START chefs put on their hats and aprons as they gathered in the kitchen to make a special winter treat.  Snowman bagels!  Each received a tray filled with the necessary ingredients to create their own snowman: cream cheese, two M&M eyes, raisins for the mouth, a carrot for the nose, a snowflake and blue sprinkles.  Their snowman bagels looked adorable and were delicious!

     Our hungry friends enjoyed other winter inspired treats along with their bagels such as, "snowballs" (white cheddar cheese balls), snowflake shaped crackers and hot chocolate. Tasty and warm treats for a cold day!

Click below to see SMART START Winter Fun!

❄ Mary and Francesca ❄

Christmas Cheer

     SMART START students thoroughly embraced our extensive Christmas unit here at school!  December was full of stories, songs, toys, crafts ,games, dress up, yummy treats and outside play! We are grateful to have spent this time with your child(ren) and hope you enjoy our Christmas Medley!

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    Santa Claus is the cornerstone of Christmas and was warmly welcomed into our classroom. The children expressed their adoration for Santa by sharing stories, modeling best behavior and anticipating what may be left in their stockings at home. We know our students here at SMART START were at the top of the "Nice List!" 

     Our classroom was filled with many traditional decorations. Nutcrackers, porcelain dolls, dresses and bows, light up jewelry, reindeer antlers, stuffed animals and more! Festive friends were full of joy and wonder!

     

      Students loved engaging in dramatic play while using our toy kitchen- baking sugar cookies for Santa! 

    
     Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. We discussed and experienced the importance of both through our gift exchange. Each student selected the name of a classmate and bought and wrapped an age appropriate book to give. Presents were eagerly placed under our Christmas Tree to be opened at our holiday party!
  

    Holiday artists decorated a foam Christmas tree. Each drizzled red and green glue using a popsicle stick, sprinkled sparkles, placed stickers and added a foam star on top!  Each tree unique in it's own way!

     Miss Francesca gathered our pupils and sat them together in our outdoor classroom as she read the classic, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Freshly fallen snow and holiday décor greatly added to the Christmas ambiance. The children sat attentively as they listened to the timeless story!

    Students and their families generously participated in the giving opportunity of our "Friends In Need" box. Our goal here at SMART START is to nurture and develop the whole child in all that we do. We discuss and demonstrate the importance of the S.M.A.R.T. character building blocks: Service, Mindfulness, Achievement, Respect and Trust. We thank you parents for collaborating with us to instill these values in your child(ren). 

     Santa's Elves looked adorable in their elf hats and smiles while creating wrapping paper for their parent's surprise gift. They used markers, bonkers, crayons, glitter, glue, stickers, pieces of holiday paper and curling ribbon. Songs filled the workshop, a favorite being "We Are Santa's Elves!"  

     

     Nutcrackers are a Christmas staple and fill the homes of many. During circle time, we read the classic, "The Nutcracker Ballet" and listened and danced to Tchaikovsky. They were delighted to see, hear and act out the magical characters of this beloved tale!

     As part of our on-site field trip program, we invited Maureen from The Lazarus House to be the guest of honor for December. Maureen was amazed that we created a "Friends in Need" box and all  we collected here at SMART START. She thanked the children for their donations and enlightened them on community service. All were engaged, curious and asked intelligent questions. This experience was memorable!

    

      Classmates were thrilled to pass out gifts to their friends. All joined together to watch one another open. Each child happily received a book for their home library-the gift of reading is a tool for success!

     Our talented crafters designed a tablecloth for our holiday celebration!  Trays were filled with markers, crayons and stickers and dispersed throughout the table as the children got right to work!  

     Pilot, Caroline and Barney loved spending Christmas time with all of our SMART START friends. The children learn so much from our classroom pets. We have witnessed their love, compassion, level of responsibility and confidence grow tremendously! 

     Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is Santa's quintessential reindeer. The children created a Rudolph handprint ornament for their parent's Christmas gift. We helped paint their hands brown and pressed each on paper to create two handprint antlers. Red paint and their thumb was used to make a red nose, put on two googly eyes and added sparkles for a finishing touch. Afterwards, a picture of themselves was placed on the back.

   Our Gingerbread group was excited to make their own gingerbread man craft! Each designed a foam gingerbread magnet by drizzling red and green glue with their popsicle sticks, sprinkling sparkles and adding stickers. We hope you enjoy these festive crafts and hung them on your refrigerator at home!

    Cooperative cooking was underway as gingerbread cookies were baked and decorated. Festive aprons and chef hats were worn while bakers shared, took turns and encouraged each other. The older children, with our supervision, carefully removed the cookies from the oven. Next, green icing, holiday M&M's and sprinkles were used. What a tasty treat!

      Santa's helpers gathered eggs from Charlotte and Caroline for a surprise gift for our student's families. We placed the eggs in cartons with a holiday sticker and bow. From all of us here at SMART START, Merry Christmas!

     Christmas Freeze Dance was a favorite activity at our Holiday party! Once the jingles commenced, along came dancing, smiles and laughter. The children played "Santa Says" (a Christmas rendition of "Simon Says") and "Red Light, Green Light" with tree lights. 

     Friends opened their holiday goody bags that consisted of yummy treats, a singing toy and play dough. Also included was magic reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. We explained that they must sprinkle it on their lawn on Christmas Eve to guide Santa's sleigh full of presents to their homes! Other delicious holiday treats included: cupcakes, peppermint ice cream sandwiches, Santa fruit snacks and holiday M&Ms. Oh what fun!

     While the children were nestled and snug on their mats, Santa made an early stop at SMART START. He brought new aprons, homework folders, books, games and more. All were excited for the new additions at school! The joy of Christmas at this young age is priceless and we are grateful to have shared this with your child(ren)!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 Highlights from a fun-filled Christmas Season here at SMART START!

Click below to see Christmas Fun at SMART START!

💚 Mary and Francesca 💚

Holiday Fun

     Christmas spirit has filled the air at SMART START! We feel honored to share in festivities and traditions with your child(ren). Bringing smiles and excitement to them through our teachings is our priority. We are off to a spectacular start and hope you enjoy learning about SMART START'S holiday activities! 

      SMART START Carolers have been learning some all-time favorite songs such as, "Here Comes Santa Claus", "Up on the Housetop", "Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." and more. They love these jingles and light up as they sing and dance during music time. Puzzles and magnets which promote fine motor, cognitive, hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills have been Christmas themed as well. During group story time, the children are filled with good cheer as we read many holiday classics.  

     Nutcrackers are a traditional decoration during Christmas.  We have many different sized and themed nutcrackers that the children enjoy.  Our wide assortment of Christmas stuffed animals, dolls and dress up have our imaginative pupils busy at play. 

     Holiday helpers worked diligently as they decorated our "Friends in Need" box. They used wrapping paper, ribbons and stickers to cover the cardboard.  It came out wonderful and all were proud of their cooperative work.  Prior to decorating, we discussed the importance of giving to others that are less fortunate. The children were very receptive to the topic and had great questions and commentary.  This season our box will serve to collect canned goods, along with special items brought in by each student for a child in need.  Even at a young age their hearts can understand what a kind action it is to help others. We are honored to work on this community service project with your child(ren). 

     Trimming the tree!  A Christmas tradition loved by many. SMART START decorators were full of joy while decking our halls and Christmas tree. Each child received a lace board holiday shaped ornament to weave string through holes and hang on the tree when finished. A great way to add in some festive fine motor skill development!

    

     Our SMART START Christmas tree would not be complete without homemade garland!  Yuletide Students helped by cutting red, green and white construction paper into rectangular strips and glued them while interlocking the pieces together. Teamwork was in full swing and our young crafters did a marvelous job. The garland was hung just perfectly on the Christmas tree.  

         While making spirits bright, Santa's helpers were eager to work on their next project. Each colored two paper ornaments. One is for our "Friends in Need " box with an item listed on the back. Towards the end of the month, a Service Worker will come as part of our on site field trip series and collect these items, as well as our canned goods. In addition, they will explain where and how the items are delivered. The other ornament has a student's name listed on the back.  We are asking that you shop for and wrap a book to add to this friend's home library.  The gifts will be placed under our SMART START Christmas tree to be opened during our holiday party.

    

     Our Christmas decorating included our chickens. Charlotte and Caroline were pleased having festive friends decorate their home with silver and gold garland and ribbon. The coop looks merry and bright in our outdoor classroom!

     Jolly as ever in their chef hats and aprons, SMART START Bakers decorated their own gingerbread house. Each had a tray of ingredients: icing, gumdrops, red and green M&M's and blue and rainbow sprinkles. Oh what fun to create, build and design with this sensory approach. The gingerbread houses also served as a great tool for pretend play as each child had a different method and thought process allowing  personalities to shine. We hope you enjoy their unique creations as a decorative piece in your home this holiday season.

   SMART START elves put on their smocks and headed into their workshop. Each received a clear plastic ornament, paint brushes, red paint, glue, sparkles and white ribbon. We helped take off the top piece of the ornament while they put red paint inside. They used their paintbrushes to swirl the paint around to cover the inside of the bulb.  The outside was painted using glue, covered in sparkles and lastly added a white ribbon finish.  All beamed holding the ornament they created and were excited to bring home to hang on their Christmas tree. It is extra special when a Christmas tree displays handmade ornaments made by your child(ren). We hope you treasure their masterpieces now and for many years to come. 

Click below to watch SMART START'S Holiday Happenings!

     Wishing you all a joyous holiday season filled with love and memories to last a lifetime!  Thank you for your support and participation in our community service projects and celebrations here at school.

🎄  Mary and Francesca 🎄