Sunday, 30 December 2018

A Sweet Holiday Treat

Each year the children at our little yellow school make a holiday present for their families.  As the children enjoy baking and food activities, we decided to make a tasty treat that could be enjoyed over the holidays. 


What's inside the bag?

The making of our holiday present utilized some of the skills the children had acquired through their Montessori work.  Some of the first activities a child is introduced to in the Montessori environment are those of the Practical Life area.  Many of these activities allow the child to do what the adults around him/her are seen doing everyday.  These activities are divided into Manipulative Skills, Care of the Environment and Self-Development.  The making of our holiday present would focus on manipulative skills.


Spooning

We only needed a few key items - sugar, cinnamon, sea salt and popping corn - to make our holiday present.  

The Ingredients

Each child made his/her own present.  We started by scooping a half cup of popcorn kernels into a clear bag.  Next we made the popcorn topping.


Topping Ingredients ~ Sugar, Salt and Cinnamon

Each topping packet consisted of two tablespoons of granulated sugar.

Measuring the Sugar

A pinch of salt.

A Pinch of Salt

Measuring the Salt


The final ingredient was a half teaspoon of cinnamon.

Adding the Cinnamon

Stir the ingredients to combine.


Stir to Combine
  
The Popcorn Topping


Can you guess what we made?  We made cinnamon bun popcorn!


Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

Before the children took their holiday presents home, we all gathered together to make some cinnamon bun popcorn.


The popcorn is popping.


The Popcorn

It was fun to see, hear and smell the popcorn popping.  When the popcorn was ready, we drizzled some melted butter over it and mixed it.





Next we sprinkled on some cinnamon bun topping and mixed well.




Cinnamon bun popcorn!  It looked and smelled good!





Now for the taste test.






It was so good!  We hope all our families enjoy their sweet holiday treat!

Thursday, 20 December 2018

The Holidays Are Here!

The holidays are an exciting and memorable time at our little yellow school.  It is a time to experience all the joys that the season brings.

This year the festivities began in early December with Hanukkah, the festival of lights.  


The Menorah

Mrs. M. explained the meaning of this very special holiday through stories, songs and food.



Spinning Like Dreidels
Sizzling Like Latkes

Biting a Latke

Each classroom had a menorah.  The children enjoyed coming together for the lighting of the candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah.  Playing with the dreidels was so much fun!

Playing with the Dreidel


The holidays just wouldn't be the same without some sweet treats.  We had a cupcake decorating party!






We made a little holiday present for our families.  




Although we can't tell you what's inside, here is a little peek at the process.


Making a Holiday Present

Making a Holiday Present

We were very excited to decorate our class Christmas trees.




We even had a visit from a famous North Pole resident.  SANTA!


Spending Time With Santa

He arrived during our Music class and joined in with the singing and dancing.



He taught us a new dance called 'The Elf'.  It is very popular at the North Pole.  It's a great dance!






Mrs. Claus sent us a letter from the North Pole.   Here is a little bit of the letter.



Last night Santa said that he missed all of you so much .  It just wouldn’t be Christmas if he didn’t come and visit everyone at The Children’s Montessori Academy.  Santa and I are so pleased at all the hard work you are doing.  Most of all, it makes us so happy to see how kind and helpful you are to one another.  Your school is a very special place.


We are so fortunate that Santa makes a point of visiting with the children at our little yellow school each year.  Mrs. Claus would really like to come and visit too but someone has to stay at the North Pole to keep an eye on the elves.  Did you know that the elves were having an indoor snowball fight with marshmallows?  They were supposed to be making hot chocolate!  They can be such rascals!  Santa brought little treats for the children and Mrs. Claus sent us some gingerbread cookies that she and the elves made.  They are for our big holiday party.



Treats and a Letter From the North Pole

Presents From Santa

A Present From Mrs. Claus and the Elves

Gingerbread Cookies From the North Pole

Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with warm memories and cherished moments.  Best wishes for a very happy new year!