Healthier Halloween Fun

!00 days of Real Food has some great ideas for Halloween Fun, without having to have a ton of unhealthy ingredients.  Other ideas besides food, as well!

http://www.pinterest.com/Leake100Days/halloween/

Preschool Open House

Preschool families are invited to join us at 5:45 on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 for our

Ebenezer Farm-Style Open House.

Explore the trails, meet families, have some fun, and enjoy a dinner prepared especially for you by your own Preschoolers!

Serving warm soups, breads, and cider.                  

 If you would like to contribute a Fall-themed dessert, please do!

Rain, sleet, snow or shine – dress for the weather! This event will be held outside.

~There is no bad weather, only bad clothing J

Mid-September Newsletter

Mid-September Newsletter

This glorious summer-turning-to-fall season has been thoroughly enjoyed by us all.  We are so fortunate to spend our days in such lovely surroundings with such lovely people – big and small!

As we take our daily hikes, we observe countless marvels.

We have noticed the clouds reflecting in the water at Flood Control, and one morning we even saw a sliver of the moon! 

On a particularly drizzly morning we watched the rain drops fall on the water and then we noticed water droplets on a spider web.  In that spider web was the biggest spider we have ever seen!  It was a black and yellow garden spider.  We watched it eat its breakfast.  We visited it two days in a row.

There is much to see at the Flood Control!  We used binoculars to gaze at a heron.  On that same hike we discovered monarch caterpillars nibbling on milkweed! 

Our strong hiking legs took us as far as Checkerberry Woods, which is past the far end of the dam.  There we learned about the difference between a partridge berry and a checkerberry.   We brought samples back for parents to see.  We learned an important rule of never eating anything we find without permission from an adult.

Every day the chickens, the rooster , the pigs and our bunny Sooty are happy to see us when we feed them.

Before our time exploring outside begins, we are busy inside.  We have cooked with apples, made a snack called “Ants On a Log”, made an ant out of egg cartons, and made house collages, which include all the members of our own houses. 

The preschoolers have many opportunities to be helpful, in addition to feeding the animals; They have carried each other's lunch boxes, swept the floor, washed tables, watered plants and painted signs. 

Clothing Needs  Just a reminder that all children need to have waterproof over pants and boots each day.  Also now that the air is chill in the mornings, it is time for hat and mittens.  Please note that we are all happiest with mittens that allow little hands to bend, grasp and stay dry.

Snack ideas   Frozen vegetables (which will thaw of course),  such as peas or corn, cubes of avocado, cheese, or meat, whole grain Triscuits, peeled hardboiled egg, tortilla rolled up with peanut butter , honey and rice crispies.

Illness Policy  If your child isn't feeling well, please keep them home until they are clearly recovered.  Not only do we hope to avoid spreading colds, coughs, fever and stomach bugs, your child will be unhappy and stressed as they attempt to keep up with our busy days of outdoor play, hiking and working.

Reminder that we are closed on Columbus Day, October 13th. 

Our gratefulness and best wishes to you and your families!

Your Ebenezer Farm Friends

September Newsletter

September 2014 Newsletter

            The first few weeks of preschool have been very busy and filled with excitement as we learn the ways of Ebenezer Farm!

We learn songs that remind us to be safe, such as, “In a Fire” and “It's Time to Gather.” We 

practice what to do when the teacher blows the emergency whistle in the woods. 

While walking the trails at Ebenezer Farm, we have discovered newts at the Duck Pond, found an insect that looked like a leaf, encountered a few orange salamanders, and we've begun recognizing and naming tree species.

            We have been busy inside too!  We sing songs every day at circle time.  Circle time is helping us learn the names of our friends, memorize, rhyme and work on skills such as washing our hands, waiting our turn and courtesy.  Some of our songs are “Wheels on the Bus”, “Way Up High in the Apple Tree”, and “Where Is?” 

We are reading autumn themed stories.  This month we read The Apple Pie Tree, The Kissing Hand, School Bus, and Jessie Bear What Will You Wear? This week we made our very own apple tarts!  We helped to cut apples and make dough.  They were so good!  Elsie, our farm dog ate one too! 

Art projects of an apple blossom tree, painting with leaves, and drawing a self portrait have kept our hands busy!. 

Snack and Lunch

We have loved seeing so many healthy foods in the children's packs, with or without the conventional sandwich.  The children enjoy participating as we acknowledge the nourishing rainbow colored fruits and vegetables they are bringing.  We do have one problem that we keep coming up against, as we take advantage of the wonderful privilege we have of eating our meals outside, so we are making some modifications to the acceptable “trail-worthy” food list.   For the time being, (until we return to more civilized dining at tables, with fresh water and cloths accessible),  please avoid sending the following foods which dependably turn into minor disasters!  The worst offenders are: fruit/applesauce cups with peel-back lids, yogurt, “Gogurt” and dips.  Squeezable capped applesauce/fruit is fine.  Printed ideas for substitutions are coming.  You may want to check online for great school lunch suggestions on sites such as www.100daysofrealfood.com. .

Holiday Schedule

Closed

Columbus Day October 13 . 

Thanksgiving November 27 and 28

Christmas December 25 and 26

New Year's Day January 1, 2015

Open when Mascenic schools are closed: Oct. 13 and 14     Nov 10, 11 and 26 (day before Thanksgiving)

Christmas Break Dec. 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, Jan. 2

We are tremendously grateful that you share your precious children with us! 

Warmly,

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Hook, Ms. Nykanen, Ms. Christina and Mrs. Bishop

Preschool Curriculum and Typical Day

Ebenezer Farm Preschool Curriculum

Ebenezer Farm offers a preschool program which creatively incorporates opportunities that  will contribute to the development of academic skills. In a warm, simple and play-based environment we introduce and support learning in a very natural way. Overshadowing all that we do is our intentional focus on caring communication with each child as an individual, and as part of the larger group.
The natural world is our classroom of choice. Whenever possible we arrange to carry out our goals in the ever changing life-filled outdoors.
It is our sincerest desire to supplement your own commitment to lovingly provide your child with a strong foundation for their school years. Abundant fresh air, exercise, nourishing foods, and recommended amounts of essential sleep will fuel their still-developing brains to function at top performance levels.

Language Arts
Basic principles of listening and speaking skills which support the development of vocabulary, including singing, proper pronunciation, rhymes, poems, listening to and comprehending stories. Exposure to letters and sounds through games, activities and discussion. Depending on interest and ability, practice in writing letters and numbers.

Mathematics
Pre-math skills actually do include physical exercise. Physical strength supports gross motor skills of balance, coordination and strength. A healthy developed body, including core, limbs and fingers are necessary for proper posture, endurance and ability to manipulate writing tools. Imaginative play with various objects provides the basis for abstract mathematical manipulation. Games that include ordering, sorting, patterning and sequencing provide opportunities to practice fundamental math skills.

Science

Observation, discussion and exploration of the world around us, guided by enthusiastic teachers as well as by the natural curiosity of the children.

Art
Personal expressions through various types of art including painting, music, cutting and pasting, drawing and crafting.

Social Skills
Learning to respect each other’s needs, to work and play in a group, practicing common courtesy and politeness. Functioning as part of a group that is larger than each individual. Being responsible for belongings and classroom materials. Contributing to the care and orderliness of our classrooms, inside and out.　

Schedule of a typical Preschool day

At Ebenezer Farm

　

　
7:00 - 8:45 am Welcoming of children and parents. Options for a short morning      walk or inside activities such as dramatic play, art, board games, building blocks, play dough or baking.

8:40 - 9:00 Put away games, materials and toys. Transition to Circle time.

9:00 - 9:40 Circle time songs, topic discussion, story. (May be inside or out.)

9:40 - 10:15 Small group time of focused activity connected to language, math,    science and/or art. (May be inside or out.)

10:15 - 10:45 Toilet, hand washing, snack and water.

10:45 - 11:15 Nature walk

11:15 - 12:15 Creative play or work along with teachers, such as building forts,  tending trails, feeding animals and birds, gardening in season.

12:15 - 1:00 Toilet and washing, lunch, prepare for rest time.

1:00 - 2:30 Quiet time with individual books followed by listening to a story and  songs. Napping or quiet reading.

2:30 - 3:15 Put away rest blankets and books. Pack up for home. Snack.

3:15 - 5:30 Outside play, exploration and helpful work until parents arrive.
 Possibly return to the inside to play or work on crafts.
　

Start Here - 100 Days of Real Food

Start Here - 100 Days of Real Food


www.100daysofrealfood.com


I am so impressed and motivated by this site.  I have no doubt that you too will be amazed at how helpful it is.  Nutrition, recipes, helpful hints galore!  They make it so easy to learn how to feed your family food that actually nourishes.  No need to fill up tummies with junk that hurts more than it helps.

Happy Munching!
Grace

"This is a selfish world. 

Parents are working their brains out to buy nice homes and cars. 

 If we're ever going to make America better, 

we've got to tell parents - no matter how educated, 

 how poor or how rich - to take care of their children." 

~ Leila Denmark the worlds oldest - (103 yrs) -practicing pediatrician

Simplicity Parenting

Our lives and those of our children are pushed to the limit of over scheduling.  Parents need to guard their families from the harm that will come from this cultural crisis.  Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting offers practical solutions for us to consider.  I think he's fabulous.  I have incorporated many of his wise suggestions in our childcare and in my own life, even though my children are grown.  No matter what your age...simplicity is a beautiful thing.

PLAY AGAIN - NEW TRAILER

"What they do not value, they will not protect. And what they do not protect, they will lose." - Charles Jordan, PLAY AGAIN

Watch this short inspiring trailer of a film which has won 11 international awards.  See how these present day teenagers discover the power of nature.

It's time to reverse this devastating trend.

See more at http://playagainfilm.com

Wet Boots

 (This is actually a post from a while back, during a wet spring time.  I just finished editing and it posted it as most recent - too much for me to figure out.)

We've had a lot of rain this past month, with last week being especially wet.  Over the weekend we lined up dozens of boots on the porch to dry and be ready for a new week.  On Monday, they were still damp.  Frantically, we shifted our previous boot arrangement; some out to catch the bit of sun that was momentarily peeking in the early afternoon, some tipped upside down, some placed in front of the warm heater, all in attempt to hurry the drying process.

Children streamed in from the bus.  Sneakers enthusiastically tossed underneath backpacks.  Rain pants and almost dry boots slipped on. Noisy, eager children, hardly noticing the dampness, pounded out the door, raced through the raindrops and found the nearest flooded puddles.  Splasshhhhh!  Splatttterrr!   Into the rushing stream!  Over the tops of the boots.....seeping down the legs.....soaking the clean white socks......sopping the barely dried insides of the boots.   "Stop!"  "Wait..."  "Oh never mind..."