Fall 2010-MAPP Edition

 I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate at least one blog to an aspect of my life that I love so much, I enjoy doing immensly (and stresses me out prepping for sometimes!)...mommy run...Preschool for Jackson and Jr. Preschool for Eliza. 

Why MAPP? It's a long story, stemming from the fact that I think I am funny, which means you probably won't think it's funny.  Last year, we had two preschool groups Jackson's age in the ward.  We'd often swap ideas or get tabs on what the other was up to.  One particular mom (who is hilarious-we miss you Camille!) would always joke with us that while they were teaching their kids shapes, our "Advanced Placement Preschool" was teaching second and third languages already.  I jokingly said our group name was "Mothers of Advanced Placement Preschool"...well this year we had to give the NIFS facility a name for our group for a fieldtrip and I jokingly told Anna-tell em "MAPP"-now it has stuck with our group...what? Did you say, "We are a stuck up group?!" hehehe

Far from teaching our kids another language, but the moms I teach with are truly awesome, who come up with the coolest crafts etc.  Most of the group Jax is with has been together since they were 2 years old and he stills gets so excited to "host" the group, he greets them all at the door like they are coming for his Birthday!  It is so cute-Eliza has been adopted into their class when I teach and looks forward to it when it is at our home as much as Jackson does.  Jax loved Jr. Preschool so much that I couldn't deny Eliza the experience and so she is now in a once a week Jr. Preschool with other 2 year olds. 



Eliza gleefully running about as she lays out the squares for Preschool

Anyhow, below are some pics from some of the lessons I've taught so far this year.  For Jackson's group we always have a letter and a theme each week.  I like to combine mine and make up my own stuff...ie week I had "N" and "Winter Sports" was "Nuts about Winter Sports"!  I'll have to say the one I've gotten most into was my "Reduce Reuse Recycle" unit!!  If I can figure out how, I want to attach my "Go Green" stuff with this entry.

Letter F: Feelings, How Do I Feel?

Silly



Mad



Happy



Surprised



Sad



I played music and the kids painted how they felt.

Senses: What Does This Feel Like?

Reduce, Reuse Recycle

 

The Letter for the week was "J" so we talked about how we can save Jenny the jellyfish from Missy Mayhem. The above jellyfish are made of recycled newspaper, wrapping paper, grocery bags etc.



Grant's parents told me that for the weeks following this unit he'd turn off the light as he was leaving the room and say, "I'm saving the world!" Or turn off the water while he brushed his teeth and say, "Take that Missy Mayhem!"

You ask, "WHO IS MISSY MAYHEM?!"  Click on the below link and find out!

http://ishagirl.blogspot.com/



I dresses up like Missy Mayhem (click above link), set the timer for one minute and wrecked havoc about the house; turning on lights, plugging in appliances, littering in the yard...etc  When the buzzer went off the kids then got to run around "saving Jenny" (click the above link) and "the world" by rectifying the situation.   

Eliza absolutely hated it when I put the mask on and pretended to be an evil villian.  Months later and she still will say, "Mom I not like it when you Missy Mayhem.  Don't do that again."

Missy showed up later and "trashed" the playroom.  Kids had to sort the garbage into the right bins. 

In the end, truly the only way to bring Missy Mayhem to her knees was to dogpile on top of her.



Before lunch I showed the kids all kinds of things you can compost.  (Doesn't that make YOU hungry!)

While the kids ate lunch I got out the power drill and made a compost bin out of a garbage can for them.

I took the kids on a tour of the house, where "Jenny" had left some reminders to help us save the earth.

The jury is still out on "who had the most fun" with this unit!  I promise I don't pull out costumes for every lesson, nor is every lesson as involved. But I just couldn't help getting into something that I feel is so important!

Last unit was on Nuts-among other things, the kids made people out of packing peanuts.