Utopia Preschool

Using both old and new materials in the block area, the children have been exploring new ways to build. Today, Matteo, Grayson, Caleb and Daryn built a castle for the little balls. Caleb called it the “Macy’s Castle”. They put all the balls in one spot of their magnatile castle. Then we started to discuss what mazes are and Matteo said he’s seen a maze before. This led them to try and create a maze and blow the balls through the maze. It’s amazing to see them collaborating with one another.

Today the children helped our puppets with a problem: They were running at PE and accidentally bumped into each other! The children took turns sharing ideas of how the puppets could resolve their problem. Dylan: They can tell the teacher and the teacher can tell them to keep their hands and feet to themselves. Emery: The puppet can say sorry and ask the teacher for a ice pack. Brendan: My idea is they can find a open space to run so they don’t crash into each other. Ellie: They can just take break and get some space until they feel better later. Colin: They can ask each other to be their best friend.

For group today, the children walked in a circle and took turns going under the limbo stick! They practiced turn taking, safety skills, and gross motor movement as they figured out different ways to get their bodies over and under the limbo stick. They all giggled with each other after each turn.

It has been so exciting to see all the children engaged in all areas of the classroom individually or with friends. We have seen creative clay pieces being sculpted and painted, tunnels and ramp structures being built, and secret messages and drawings being revealed with watercolors.

Lar’s mom, Laurel, came to visit today and she brought her pizza dough recipe! Laurel showed the children her recipe and explained to them that this helps her know how much she needs for each ingredient and what she does with each. The children took turns measuring out the ingredients. This supports their cognitive development. Laurel explained to them about yeast and how the yeast needs to grow. After they measured out ingredients, they learned about kneading the dough. This means you squish all the ingredients together. Briana said, “It feels wet.” Kennedy said, “It’s sticky!” Paige said, “It feels squishy.” Now we are patiently, but eagerly waiting for our dough to rise so we can make pizza! Thank you Laurel for sharing your recipe with us!

Today Jaxson and Isaiah worked on a “giant house” together with Magnetiles, bottle caps, and pipe cleaners! The two of them started out making their own seperate structures, but later on Isaiah asked, “Wanna put it together?” The two of them carefully combined the two buildings to make an even better one! This interaction displays both children’s ability to share space and materials, while respecting each others ideas. When they were done Isaiah asked a teacher, “Take a picture! This my part and this Jaxson part right here.”

After the past few rainy days, we finally got to spend some time both inside and outside today! During inside time, many of the children in the Koala group gravitated to the sensory table, where they painted their clay creations. They were very excited to mix the paint and enjoyed guessing how the colors would change. During outside time, the children manipulated playdough, rode on the bikes, enjoyed time in the sandbox & house area, & played soccer. Everyone was glad to get a chance to be outdoors again!

Today we had families bring in goodies and sweet treats for the children and teachers. At the tables there were fancy crowns being made and adorable heart shaped people. Thank you to everyone who came and spent the morning with us! We appreciate having you be a part of our Utopia family. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!

Today we visited our neighbors from across the street, the grandmas and grandpas at Alma Via! We sang them three songs: Rise and Shine, Skidamarink, and Boomdiyada! Then we handed them out Valentines and chain decorations for them to decorate their homes. They were so grateful that we were able to come by. Thank you to the residents and staff at Alma Via, we hope to see you again soon!

We have a big group of children graduating preschool and going to kindergarten for the next school year. Today, those children were able to spend their morning in the kindergarten classroom here at STM! They were able to interact and sit with the current kindergarteners, make their own Valentine’s Day cards, and were even read the book Pete the Cat’s Valentine’s Day is Cool by Kimberly and James Dean! It was a new experience for the children, and the kindergarteners were so warm and welcoming to them! Thank you for letting us visit your classroom, Mrs. Tyaglo!

This morning we had a special visitor in our classroom! The children were very excited to have Violet’s father, a deputy sheriff, speak to them during large group time. He explained the duties of a deputy sheriff & let the students ask him various questions about his job. The students were especially thrilled when he asked them if they wanted to be junior deputy sheriffs themselves! They all eagerly said yes! He then asked them all to raise their right hands & “solemnly swear” to listen to their teachers, listen to their parents, help at clean up time, color in the lines, & help their friends. Violet’s father handed out deputy sheriff badge stickers for them to wear & gave the teachers coloring books & crayons, which they put in the children’s cubbies to take home. The children definitely appreciated the fun & informative visit!

During our afternoon group time, we read a book called Hungry Bird while we rested on comfy pillows & cozy blankets. Afterwards, Teacher Theresa made lemonade & limeade with a small group. Everone got a turn to squeeze the lemon & lime, taste test agave syrup & honey to sweeten their beverages.