Would I recommend Literacy Beginnings?

I am continuing to enjoy the book (and the comments of others reading the book out in blog-land).  It makes really valid points (preschool classrooms should be print-rich, young children learn through play but that doesn't mean you should shy away from literacy, etc) and I think that I already do most of the things they advocate.  It really feels like it's being written for someone who is new to teaching but I'm getting some new ideas.  I wish that I had this as a resource for my teachers last year when I was working as a director.  Even though I'm moving on to something new next year, I think I'll drop a copy off at my old center!

the view out my window

our summer rain is here.  grey skies.  all day.  and we are so accustomed to the sun.

i realized that this summer would be noisy.  and dirty.  and hard.  but i shut off the part of my brain that processes all of that and retreated into some inner world where i can actually see how beautiful our new little house is going to be in the fall.  i have trained myself to live in the moment so it's hard to go back to my old ways.

and while some things change - some stay the same.  always.  my girl loves loves loves little creatures.  this guy wanted to stay with her i think.

Literacy Beginnings: A Prekindergarten Handbook

I decided to take part in the book study going on over at Pre-K pages.  I love school - learning - anything to do with books and writing & can't think of a better way to spend my summer than devoting a bit of my time to getting my brain ready for the fall.  Oh, and the smell of brownies baking in my new oven helped my concentration as I read the first 5 chapters this morning.  Not loving my new reading glasses yet, though.  I think they make me dizzy but it could just be me resisting admitting that I need them.

welcome summer

welcome summer
welcome lazy mornings
welcome riding our bikes to the library and the park
welcome picnics
welcome afternoons at the beach
welcome all the time in the world to do anything and nothing with my favorite girl

leslie,  i really love being your mom.  your presence on this planet - in my home - in my heart  - has made my life better, richer, happier, funnier.  i loved being your mom when you were a baby.  i didn't think life could get any sweeter than when you were a 4 year old slipping your hand in mine as we ventured off to explore the world outside our door.  i couldn't believe my luck when, at 13, you still wanted to hang out with us and let us in.  now, 16,  you are really more adult than child.  after having you off in chicago for a week on your own, i can see how much you've grown this year.  you are truly lovely.  inside and out.  i am blessed to have that invisible cord that connects us still intact.   i am getting used to sharing you with the rest of the world - but it's so sweet when you do come home.  welcome summer.

a few final tidbits from our last days of school . . .

dragonflies - oil pastel, watercolor, and stick-on jewels

for our watermelon slices - green crayons, pink stamp pad and a big fabric brush, and  black finger paint for the seeds

. . . and finally - playing with tape - we made tape collages using tiny rolls of colored masking tape and pieces of cardboard from our recycling stash

Handmade Paper Flowers

Last weeks of school.  Using up supplies on hand and I came across a box of handmade paper.  I asked the littles to tear the paper into 3 circles - one small, one medium, and one large.  Then they layered them on top of each other and glued them down.  Handprint leaves and a painted stem finished it off.  I love the way our garden grew :)