A is for Apples!

We sorted apples brought from home by color, size and shape.  We tasted samples and explored their seeds and cut them in half perpendicular to the core to find the apple star!

Then we made APPLESAUCE!

Want to try?  It's super simple and even more delicious!

First: Peel and core your apples

Next: Cut in small slices

Then: Simmer in about 1/2 to 1 Cup water until soft & squish-able

That's the cooking part . . . then we transfered the mushy apples to another container (that wasn't hot!) so the kids could take turns mashing them.

 Add sugar and cinnamon to taste . . .

ENJOY!

Kool-Aid Playdough

K is for Kitchen . . . and in the kitchen we can make Kool-aid playdough!

I have tried a lot of playdough recipes . . . and this is by far the best.  It turns out great every time, is super soft, lasts forever and smells FANTASTIC!

Here's the recipe . . . 

2 1/2 C. flour

1/2 C. salt

2 pkg unsweetend Kool-aid (I actually used the walmart version of crystal light)

3 Tbl. oil

2 C. Boiling water (make sure only an adult handles the water!)

Mix dry ingredients together (flour, salt, kool-aid).  Pour oil in the center of the dry mixture.  Rapidly, stir in the boiling water.  It will be very sticky at this stage.  Set aside until it is cool to the touch.  Knead well.  It should be soft and smooth and not sticky. 

When doing this with kids, let them help you read the numbers in the recipe, count the scoops with you and help stir.  We also used this as an opportunity to discuss the different states of water (ice, liquid, gas) and the properties it has in each. 

They class had a lot of fun helping with the kneading it out as well!

The best part of course? Enjoying the end result!

"Look teacher, it's a valentine TEXAS!"

He wanted to take it home to show his mom . . . posting a picture on the computer was the next best option :)

Have fun in the Kitchen!

A is for Astronaut!

Today we had a lot of fun learning all about (and being) ASTRONAUTS!

After blasting into outer space in our rocket ship,

(and fighting off the invading Aliens)

some of our Astronaut Adventures included

exploring moon sand . . .

Learning all about what it is like in space.

One thing we talked about was gravity.

We dropped objects and watched them fall to the ground.

What would it be like without gravity?

The class was delighted to brainstorm silly things that would happen and easily led this discussion.

How would you eat something like . . . chocolate pudding?

It would just float off your spoon (lots of giggles at the thought)!

We brainstormed solutions . . .

and then

We ate Chocolate Pudding

Astronaut style . . .

Directions:

Have the children help you pre-make chocolate pudding

then scoop into STRONG ziplock bags and store in the fridge (we did this as one of our gathering activities as the children were arriving--don't forget to wash hands first!).

When your ready for your astronaut adventure . . .

Cut off the corner

and eat by squeezing it out!

Everyone will agree that

Chocolate Pudding tastes even better

during an Astronaut Adventure!

After returning safely to earth,

we practiced our Awesome "A" writing skills.

See you Monday for Another Awesome Adventure!!

Perfect Playdough

What is a preschool class without playdough?!? 

Supplies:

1 Cup Salt

2  1/2  Cups Flour

1 tsp oil

1 Cup water (warm)

Directions:

Mix flour and salt in large bowl.  Add food coloring to the warm water (we added yellow first and then blue so we could watch it "magically" transform to green).  Pour in the water and add oil--then  . . . 

STIR 

(each child took a turn using their strong stirring muscles)

PLAY

And STORE in an airtight container.