Box-free materials

Craft: paper lunch bag, crayons, yarn for hair, glue stick.

Snack: flour tortillas, peanut butter, bananas.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

me · name · hands · grow

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper lunch bag, crayons, yarn for hair and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own all about me picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (me, name, hands, grow) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What is one thing you can do all by yourself?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what they can do by themselves now. Ask about how their puppet looks.

Box-free materials

Craft: card, a grown-up writes the child's first name, stickers or dot markers, crayons.

Snack: flour tortillas, cream cheese, strawberry jam, green grapes, thin pretzel sticks, candy eyes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

letter · sound · name · word

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out card, a grown-up writes the child's first name, stickers or dot markers and crayons with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own letters and sounds picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (letter, sound, name, word) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What sound does your name start with?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about the sound their name starts with. Ask about which letters they found.

Box-free materials

Craft: four paper plates or circles, crayons, a craft stick, tape.

Snack: large plain rice cakes, cream cheese, strawberries, blueberries, bananas.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

happy · sad · mad · scared

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out four paper plates or circles, crayons, a craft stick and tape with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own feelings picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (happy, sad, mad, scared) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What do you do when you feel sad?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what helps when they feel sad. Ask about which face they held up today.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper strips, crayons, glue stick.

Snack: flour tortillas, peanut butter, bananas, blueberries, yogurt.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

kind · share · friend · turn

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper strips, crayons and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own friends and kindness picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (kind, share, friend, turn) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What is one kind thing you can do for a friend?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about a kind thing they did. Ask about how long the kindness chain got.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plates, red or green paint, brown paper strip, green paper leaf, glue stick, a brown crayon.

Snack: strawberries, clementines, bananas, green grapes, kiwi, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

apple · seed · tree · core

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plates, red or green paint, brown paper strip and green paper leaf with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own apples picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (apple, seed, tree, core) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What do you think is inside an apple?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how many seeds were in our apple. Ask about what color apples can be.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper lunch bag, red paint, white paper strips, animal stickers or drawings, glue stick.

Snack: english muffins, pizza sauce, grated mozzarella.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

farm · barn · cow · hen

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper lunch bag, red paint, white paper strips and animal stickers or drawings with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own farm picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (farm, barn, cow, hen) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Which animals live on a farm, and what do they say?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which animal says what. Ask about what the little red hen made.

Box-free materials

Craft: leaves from the walk, white paper, crayons with the paper off, tape.

Snack: yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, granola, honey.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

leaf · tree · fall · crunch

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out leaves from the walk, white paper, crayons with the paper off and tape with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own leaves picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (leaf, tree, fall, crunch) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Why do leaves fall off the trees?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what colors their leaves were. Ask about how a leaf rubbing works.

Box-free materials

Craft: orange card, round seed stickers, crayons.

Snack: graham crackers, canned pumpkin purée (not pie filling), marshmallow creme, cinnamon, whipped cream.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

pumpkin · vine · seed · orange

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out orange card, round seed stickers and crayons with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own pumpkins picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (pumpkin, vine, seed, orange) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How does a pumpkin start?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what is inside a pumpkin. Ask about how many seeds they stuck on.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper strip headband, crayons, a paper badge shape, tape.

Snack: english muffins, pizza sauce, grated mozzarella.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

helper · bus · baker · doctor

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper strip headband, crayons, a paper badge shape and tape with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own community helpers picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (helper, bus, baker, doctor) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Who helps us in our town?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which helper they dressed as. Ask about how they can help at home.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, crayons, yellow paper strips (straw), a paper triangle hat, glue stick.

Snack: celery, peanut butter, raisins.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

harvest · corn · field · basket

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, crayons, yellow paper strips (straw) and a paper triangle hat with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own scarecrows and harvest picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (harvest, corn, field, basket) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What do farmers pick in the fall?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a scarecrow does. Ask about which crops we sorted.

Box-free materials

Craft: a paper house shape, crayons, paper window flaps, glue stick.

Snack: cream cheese, marshmallow creme, cinnamon, strawberries, an apple.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

family · home · together · love

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a paper house shape, crayons, paper window flaps and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own families picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (family, home, together, love) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What do you like to do with your family?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about who is in their family house. Ask about what they like doing together.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, food pictures or colored paper, glue stick, crayons.

Snack: heavy whipping cream, salt, round crackers.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

cook · stir · pour · taste

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, food pictures or colored paper, glue stick and crayons with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own food and cooking picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (cook, stir, pour, taste) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What is your favorite food, and where does it come from?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how we made butter. Ask about what was on their plate.

Box-free materials

Craft: large paper, brown crayon, washable paint in fall colors, wipes.

Snack: very ripe bananas (brown spots), rolled oats, cinnamon, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

thank you · share · kind · help

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out large paper, brown crayon, washable paint in fall colors and wipes with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own thankful picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (thank you, share, kind, help) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Who would you like to say thank you to?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about who they are thankful for. Ask about what they shared this week.

Box-free materials

Craft: blue card, cotton balls, glue stick, a paper hat and scarf, crayons.

Snack: yogurt, maple syrup, blueberries, granola, dried cranberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

snow · ice · mitten · cold

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out blue card, cotton balls, glue stick and a paper hat and scarf with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own winter and snow picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (snow, ice, mitten, cold) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What happens to snow when it gets warm?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which ice cube melted first. Ask about how they kept warm outside.

Box-free materials

Craft: a brown card person (grown-up cuts), crayons, buttons or stickers, glue stick.

Snack: very ripe bananas (brown spots), rolled oats, cinnamon, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

gingerbread · run · fox · bake

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a brown card person (grown-up cuts), crayons, buttons or stickers and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own gingerbread picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (gingerbread, run, fox, bake) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Why did the gingerbread man run away?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how the gingerbread tale ends. Ask about what their gingerbread person is called.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, yellow crayon, dark blue crayon, star stickers.

Snack: bread, peanut butter, bananas, an apple, blueberries, clementines.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

night · day · moon · owl

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, yellow crayon, dark blue crayon and star stickers with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own night and day picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (night, day, moon, owl) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Which animals are awake at night?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which animals are awake at night. Ask about what is on the night side of their plate.

Box-free materials

Craft: brown paper bag, a bear drawn or printed on card, cotton balls (snow), glue stick.

Snack: bread, peanut butter, bananas, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

bear · cave · sleep · winter

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out brown paper bag, a bear drawn or printed on card, cotton balls (snow) and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own bears and hibernation picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (bear, cave, sleep, winter) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Where does a bear sleep in the winter?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about why bears sleep all winter. Ask about what they took into their cave.

Box-free materials

Craft: white card, crayons, colored paper scraps, glue stick.

Snack: strawberries, clementines, bananas, green grapes, kiwi, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

red · blue · yellow · green

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out white card, crayons, colored paper scraps and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own colors picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (red, blue, yellow, green) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What is your favorite color, and where do you see it?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about their favorite color. Ask about what they found on the color hunt.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper circles, a paper head, crayons, glue stick.

Snack: o-shaped cereal, peanuts, little pretzels, raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

one · five · ten · more

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper circles, a paper head, crayons and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own counting picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (one, five, ten, more) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How many children are here today?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how high they can count. Ask about how long their caterpillar is.

Box-free materials

Craft: an egg shape on card, crayons, a grown-up's scissors, a paper wall.

Snack: round crackers, pizza sauce, grated mozzarella, sliced black olives.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

rhyme · sing · clap · wall

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out an egg shape on card, crayons, a grown-up's scissors and a paper wall with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own nursery rhymes picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (rhyme, sing, clap, wall) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What word rhymes with cat?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up does the cutting.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about a word that rhymes with cat. Ask about which rhyme they acted out.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper shapes cut by a grown-up, card, glue stick, crayons.

Snack: kiwi, green grapes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

circle · square · triangle · rectangle

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper shapes cut by a grown-up, card, glue stick and crayons with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own shapes picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What shape is our door? What shape is a plate?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which shapes made their picture. Ask about a shape they saw at home.

Box-free materials

Craft: card, glue stick, cotton ball, sandpaper scrap, foil scrap, fabric scrap.

Snack: o-shaped cereal, peanuts, little pretzels, raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

see · hear · touch · taste

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out card, glue stick, cotton ball and sandpaper scrap with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own five senses picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (see, hear, touch, taste) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What can you hear right now if we are very quiet?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what they heard on the listening walk. Ask about which scrap felt the roughest.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, brown paper ears (grown-up cuts), crayons, glue stick, a paper tongue.

Snack: bread, cream cheese, cucumber, green grapes, raisins.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

pet · dog · cat · gentle

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, brown paper ears (grown-up cuts), crayons and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own pets picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (pet, dog, cat, gentle) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a pet need every day?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a pet needs every day. Ask about the name of their puppy.

Box-free materials

Craft: large paper, a sponge cut in a three-toe shape (grown-up), washable paint, wipes.

Snack: celery, peanut butter, raisins.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

dinosaur · egg · bone · stomp

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out large paper, a sponge cut in a three-toe shape (grown-up), washable paint and wipes with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own dinosaurs picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (dinosaur, egg, bone, stomp) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Were dinosaurs bigger or smaller than our room?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how many footprints their dinosaur made. Ask about what they dug up.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, crayons, a paper arrow, a paper fastener (grown-up pushes it in).

Snack: yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, granola, honey.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

sun · rain · wind · cloud

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, crayons, a paper arrow and a paper fastener (grown-up pushes it in) with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own weather picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (sun, rain, wind, cloud) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What is the weather like today? How do you know?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what the weather was today. Ask about what they wear when it rains.

Box-free materials

Craft: small boxes, tape, crayons, paper windows.

Snack: vanilla wafers, chocolate sandwich cookies, strawberry jam, sprinkles.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

build · block · tower · truck

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out small boxes, tape, crayons and paper windows with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own construction and tools picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (build, block, tower, truck) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How tall can we build before it falls?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what they built from boxes. Ask about how tall the tower got.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper bowl, brown paper strips or yarn, glue stick, three paper eggs.

Snack: o-shaped cereal, peanuts, little pretzels, raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

bird · nest · egg · feather

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper bowl, brown paper strips or yarn, glue stick and three paper eggs with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own birds and nests picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (bird, nest, egg, feather) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a bird use to build a nest?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a bird builds a nest with. Ask about how many birds they saw.

Box-free materials

Craft: a clear cup, cotton balls or soil, a dried bean (grown-up holds it), water, a name sticker.

Snack: chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, kiwi, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

seed · soil · water · sun

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a clear cup, cotton balls or soil, a dried bean (grown-up holds it) and water with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own seeds and growing picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (seed, soil, water, sun) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a seed need to grow?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what their bean needs. Ask about whether they see a root yet.

Box-free materials

Craft: half a paper plate, crayons in rainbow colors, cotton balls, glue stick.

Snack: strawberries, canned mandarin orange segments, pineapple chunks, green grapes, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

rain · cloud · puddle · rainbow

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out half a paper plate, crayons in rainbow colors, cotton balls and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own rain and rainbows picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (rain, cloud, puddle, rainbow) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Where does rain come from?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about the colors of a rainbow. Ask about where rain comes from.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper cupcake liners, green paper stem, card, glue stick, crayons.

Snack: yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, granola, honey.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

flower · petal · stem · root

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper cupcake liners, green paper stem, card and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own flowers picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (flower, petal, stem, root) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a flower need to grow?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a flower needs. Ask about how many flowers they counted.

Box-free materials

Craft: green paper plate, a green paper frog, crayons, glue stick.

Snack: kiwi, green grapes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

frog · pond · tadpole · hop

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out green paper plate, a green paper frog, crayons and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own frogs and ponds picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (frog, pond, tadpole, hop) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a frog start out as?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a tadpole turns into. Ask about how many lily pads they hopped.

Box-free materials

Craft: a smooth rock as big as a hand, washable paint, a brush.

Snack: rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

rock · dirt · mud · dig

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a smooth rock as big as a hand, washable paint and a brush with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own rocks and dirt picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (rock, dirt, mud, dig) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What lives in the dirt?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how they sorted the rocks. Ask about what lives in the dirt.

Box-free materials

Craft: a strip of egg carton (grown-up cuts), paint, pipe cleaners, sticker eyes.

Snack: celery, peanut butter, raisins.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

ant · bee · legs · wings

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a strip of egg carton (grown-up cuts), paint, pipe cleaners and sticker eyes with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own bugs picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (ant, bee, legs, wings) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How many legs does an ant have?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what bug they found. Ask about how many legs an ant has.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper butterfly shape (grown-up cuts), washable paint, a spoon, a pipe cleaner.

Snack: green grapes, strawberries, candy eyes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

butterfly · caterpillar · wing · change

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper butterfly shape (grown-up cuts), washable paint, a spoon and a pipe cleaner with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own butterflies picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (butterfly, caterpillar, wing, change) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What does a caterpillar turn into?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what a caterpillar turns into. Ask about how the paint made both wings match.

Box-free materials

Craft: white paper zebra shape (grown-up cuts), black crayon or paint, a paper strip mane, glue stick.

Snack: bananas, yogurt, o-shaped cereal.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

zoo · lion · monkey · zebra

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out white paper zebra shape (grown-up cuts), black crayon or paint, a paper strip mane and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own zoo animals picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (zoo, lion, monkey, zebra) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “Which zoo animal would you like to see, and how does it move?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about which animal they pretended to be. Ask about how many stripes their zebra has.

Box-free materials

Craft: a small bottle with a lid, dry rice or pasta, tape, stickers.

Snack: strawberries, canned mandarin orange segments, pineapple chunks, green grapes, blueberries.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

drum · shake · loud · soft

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a small bottle with a lid, dry rice or pasta, tape and stickers with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own music and instruments picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (drum, shake, loud, soft) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What sounds can you make with your body?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what their shaker sounds like. Ask about how to play soft and loud.

Box-free materials

Craft: a shoebox, paper plates (wheels), crayons, tape.

Snack: flour tortillas, peanut butter, bananas.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

bus · truck · boat · train

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out a shoebox, paper plates (wheels), crayons and tape with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own transportation picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (bus, truck, boat, train) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How did you get here today?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how they got to school today. Ask about what their box car looks like.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, paint or crayons, a paper triangle tail, glue stick, a sticker eye.

Snack: kiwi, green grapes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

ocean · fish · crab · shell

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, paint or crayons, a paper triangle tail and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own ocean picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (ocean, fish, crab, shell) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What lives in the ocean?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what lives in the ocean. Ask about the name of their fish.

Box-free materials

Craft: paper plate, yellow paint or crayon, yellow and orange paper strips, glue stick.

Snack: half-and-half (or whole milk), sugar, vanilla, ice, coarse salt (rock salt or kosher salt).

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

sun · hot · shade · hat

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out paper plate, yellow paint or crayon, yellow and orange paper strips and glue stick with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own summer picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (sun, hot, shade, hat) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “How do we stay cool when it is hot?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about how we stay cool in summer. Ask about what shape the sun's rays were.

Box-free materials

Craft: card, glue stick, a little play sand in a tray, a paper shell.

Snack: croissants, thin pretzel sticks, little pretzels, candy eyes.

All week: paper, crayons, a ball or a scarf for the outside game.

Words for the wall

sand · shell · wave · crab

Open-ended ways in

• Process art: put out card, glue stick, a little play sand in a tray and a paper shell with no finished sample to copy, and let each child make their own beach and sand picture.
• Invitation to play: the four words (sand, shell, wave, crab) on cards in the reading corner with this week's books, paper and crayons.
• Wonder wall: ask “What would you find at the beach?” on Monday and again on Friday, and write both answers up.
• Twos: a grown-up pours the paint and holds the glue.
• Mixed ages: the twos do the craft with help; the fours help the twos.

Ask at pick-up

Ask about what they built in the sand. Ask about what a crab lives in.