Hello again and Happy Spring from Ayn at little illuminations!  We have been learning about weather in our class lately. Even though the calendar says Spring is here, it has still been unseasonably chilly in our area. We've talked a lot about the weather and how certain weather conditions happen. Our discussions have led to several science ...

PERSPECTIVE, RISK and EMBODIMENTHappy November from Enrique! When Galileo figured out that earth was not at the center of our universe, it was a shift in perspective that led him to that discovery.  When we think about many of the important discoveries in our world, perspective is an important part of that journey.  When we observe children, if we ...

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Hi! I'm Ayn and I am a Ga. Pre-K teacher, serving 4 and 5 year olds in an inclusive setting. I share my classroom adventures on my blog, little illuminations. Fall has begun here and it's the perfect time to explore nature. We've recently discovered the book, ''We're Going On A Leaf Hunt'' by Steve Metzger written similarly to the favorite ...

Why do kids love science? It makes learning come alive! It's all about discovery that makes science so appealing. Children love to participate in exploring and discovering using their senses and imagination making substances change form, color, shape, scent, and texture. Halloween is the perfect time to teach and discover with simple science ...

The afternoon teacher and I went out for lunch at the end of the school year and planned out our themes for the 2012-2013 school year.  I thought I would share them with you, so here goes: August:  Family and About Me September:  Community Helpers October:  Fall November:  Fairy Tales December:  Winter (also Jan Brett author study) January: ...

It's the simple things in life that are so fun for kids!  No lesson plans, no agenda...just magnets! We had a ton of FUN with magnets today and I just used some basic materials that I already had at home. Magnets are a great way for kids to explore and learn by hands-on interaction.  Children from all ages can enjoy learning how magnets ...

Tell me a Story Tuesday! The Cat in the Hat! It is Dr. Seuss week!  Every day this week we will read a different story by Dr. Seuss and do activities to go along with that book.  Today we read The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat comes back! For art the first thing we made was Thing one or Thing two.  This was a fun activity because we also ...

It’s spring, so we have been studying plants and our whole windowsill is covered with little cups full of dirt and sprouts of various sorts.  A lot of teachers use their plants for science — I wonder what would happen if?  What would happen if we didn’t water a plant?  What would happen if we keep a plant in the dark?  I never got around to it in ...

I am almost ashamed to say it; I have never used Ooblick in my classroom before! I know, I know, everyone and their neighbor has used Ooblick in preschool but I never have.  Terrible.  Maybe it is because all of the descriptions I have red of it have been non discrpt and somewhat blasé to say the least. (the yellow color is from food ...