A Word About Frog Stories

Hey Little Frog Families! Over the next few weeks, "Frog Stories" are going to start appearing in your child's digital portfolio, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to explain how they come about. In the Little Frog classroom, at random moments, I will bring out my computer and ask a passing child if they would like to tell me a story. Usually, they say yes. With some prompting (like, "What is your story about?" or "Who is in your story?"), they begin. Your child's story may be only a sentence long - it may be ten. It may operate outside of time and space constraints. It may not have an "End," as we grown-ups understand it. It will be, however, totally their story and, as such, amazing. Your child's story is a mirror into the way that he or she was thinking at that moment in time. It is my hope to gather stories from each Little Frog throughout the year, and to observe as their storytelling changes and grows. Enjoy!

Gone Fishing... On the High Seas

When Danielle met the early Little Frogs in the Turtle Room, they were fishing for magnetic letters, and wanted to continue the activity in our room. So... we made a pond/river/lake/pool, and stocked it with some letters. Rhythm sticks became fishing rods, and the Frogs tried to catch the letters in their names. Without knowing it, they were practicing all sorts of fine motor skills: cutting the lines, taping the pond, tying on the "catch."

The blocks continue to be a big hit. An elaborate display of ramps was built, and the cars pulled out of the garage to hit the open road.

Outside, Ariell organized a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose,"
which was new to some of the Little Frogs, but they picked up on it soon enough.
The chaser was a much more popular position than the chased.

Stick play has been very popular with the Little Frogs, which can be challenging, as sticks in close proximity to friends poses a constant threat. We are working on controlling our sticks
(and our emotions when we get frustrated with sticks in our hands).

Off to the cemetery to collect leaves for our "Treasure Table"
(formerly known as the Water Table).

The Little Frogs became Little Pirates while collecting bootie.

Danielle told a story about Little Pirates who kissed each other instead of hit each other,
and that much appealed to the Little Frogs.

We boarded our pirate ship and navigated from the captain's chair...

And kept a lookout for other ships...

Despite our lookout crew, the bootie was captured by Evan...

But he decided to give it back so we could share the treasure.

We walked the plank into school, and the best treasure of all was waiting for us: Carol was there to read us some stories and to have lunch with us. We shared all of our adventures with her during lunch, and then snuggled up for nap.

A Special Storytime Visitor

Today, the Little Frogs began their morning painting expressive watercolor masterpieces, sorting and counting colorful "tiny bits" on trays, and building ramps with the big blocks.

Some Frogs can not get a proper start until they've said hello to Princess Froggy and Nellie. 

Today in Music Class, Jenny sang us a new song that she wrote just for the Little Frogs.  It was about a guinea pig named Nellie.  Go figure!  We also sang some other favorites, which your Frogs may be singing at home: "I am a Turtle (I wear my home on my back)" and "Hey, Hey, What Do You Say? Let's All Play Our Sticks Today."  Most of the songs she shares with us are accompanied by instruments or puppets and are originals that have been written by her.

When we came out of Music Class, we found Carol waiting on a bench for us!  We all went to the playground together, and BOY, were they ready to run around outside!  We had outside snack and outside storytime.  Carol read Halloween Jack to us on the slide platform.

When we went inside for lunch, Carol read more stories to the Little Frogs.  One book, in particular, was especially close to home for some Frogs: Once Upon a Potty.  Carol had such a good time today, she decided to stick around during naptime to snuggle up with the Little Frogs while they rested.

They've all really missed Carol, so it's been great to have her in the classroom a little each day.