Mid-November Newsletter

The autumn season is upon us. Rain or shine, we have been busy enjoying our wonderful outdoor activities. Mr. Shaw's garden has kept us busy. We have dug potatoes and carrots, picked corn and cooked them all over the outside fire. We've shucked freshly picked horticultural beans.

We are not the only ones who eat well around here. The birds here have been well fed too. Besides watching them searching the garden for seeds, we made them some special treats of pine cone peanut butter bird feeders.

We love to find colorful leaves on the ground and use them for art projects such as leaf rubbings.

We discovered mushrooms climbing up the birch bark tree at the Cross Roads.

Then on October 10, New Ipswich Firefighter Meredith visited and taught us about fire safety. The children listened and answered many questions. We even got to climb aboard the firetruck!

At our morning circle, we have been singing songs about Thanksgiving (Over the River, for one), and we continue to sing and practice nursery rhymes. One of our favorite nursery rhymes is Humpty Dumpty. We also have learned Hey Diddle Diddle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Hickory Dickory Dock. At circle, we talk about the changing weather, about wearing layers and getting dressed all by ourselves.

Preschoolers have done a lot of cooking and baking with rainbow foods! Their little hands are a big help with cutting fruits and vegetables, mixing, and tasting. We enjoyed an early Thanksgiving feast complete with corn bread, vegetables, and homemade applesauce. We also talked about what Native Americans and Pilgrims would have eaten at Thanksgiving. We were curious about how Native Americans and Pilgrims found their food and what kind of games they played. Maybe pine cone toss and kickball with a rock? We tried making a bow and arrow that worked pretty well. Preschoolers learned about corn and how it grows, we cooked it, ate it, and printed with the cobs!

One morning we found a downed tree. As we were considering the reason why it fell, perhaps due to bugs or woodpeckers, to our delighted surprise, we found a baby flying squirrel. We gently tapped the tree with a branch and we saw black eyes looking at us!

An evening snowfall was welcomed by children who were excited to try sledding. On our usual walks to the Flood Control, we have noticed the water has begun to freeze. While there we have also picked and sampled wild, tart cranberries.

Reminders:

Mascenic schools are closed on November 10, 11 and 26. If extra hours are needed on these days please sign up.

We are closed on November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

Reminder: Time to bring winter gear: waterproof mittens (and spares) warm boots, hat, snow pants, jacket.

Hoping you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

We are always, ever thankful for each one of you and your precious children!

With warm gratitude,

Grace, Caleb, Kelley, Alyssa, Christina and Dawn