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 One of the fun parts of doing Mother Goose Time is that because the curriculum comes in the box already, I can focus more on the design of the classroom. Which is why I was so excited about getting a Cricut last month from Hobby Lobby. It was the Explore One. Which I am still learning to use. Instead of going small like it would make sense to do for my first project, I decided a whole door was the way I should go. I also realized that over the years I have collected a great many objects that would go great with this theme. The theme being Families and Pets. During our open house before the first day of school I took pictures of the families to use in the classroom. The plan was to create a family wall for my students. Especially those who were in my 2-3 preschool classroom who may experience separation anxiety. The better idea I though after I got the Cricut was to create a classroom door scene.  I think for my first classroom door it came out so awesome. Well a little less than awesome...but a bit better than ok. After setting up the door I needed to figure out a way to set up the classroom so that the children would connect what we were learning about with what was happening in the classroom. So that is when I remembered that I got a great deal at Target last year from Antsy Pants on a Vet Clinic tent. The vet clinic solved what to do with the pets part of the theme, but the family part I was having a hard time with. I have a kitchen already in my classroom but I wanted to do something different and exciting. I decided to try out a baby area in the classroom. I bought a baby doll changing table and a high chair for the baby dolls. The children loved the addition so much. I left the baby nurse costumes and the vet costumes out for the children. They have been dressing up and taking care of the babies and the animals for the last couple of weeks and do not even miss the kitchen area.  Inside the vet clinic is a Melissa and Doug dog set, a medical kit for pets and animals, a Melissa and Doug animal care kit, animal puppets a barn and tons of animal figures and stuffed animals. Also fish, because who doesn't like fish. Maybe not to eat lol. There is also a beehive sorting set. I have enjoyed watching the children come to life with the new set up and using their imagination. This will now be a regular thing I do in my classroom. I did change out toys and decor during the month usually, but I think the massive switch out really encourages the children to expand their imagination and stretch their wings. I encourage parents and teachers to change up their learning spaces often. Maybe not be as crazy as I am, but I think that the extra work done is well worth the gains you see within the children. And Remember..... Live Long and Keep Teaching Ms. Tessie |
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