Firemen, Mailmen and Policemen

I know you thought I forgot - but I decided to send announcements separately and first.  Here's a brief recap of our Community Helpers week:
We began with Police Officers on Monday.  We talked about their uniforms, badges and some of the duties they perform.  Everyone made a fingerprint identifier card and we had fun using our magnifying glasses to look at the fingerprints.  Could they really tell that each fingerprint was uniquely different from their friends'?  I'm not sure - what do you think?  The students also enjoyed adding a bit of sparkle to their official Police Badges which have individual ID numbers.  The badges and the fingerprints are posted - but will you find them easily when you are next in our classroom?  I am still looking for a great police officer book to read that is age-appropriate for two-year-olds.  Do you know of any?

Wednesday was our day to explore firefighters.  Again we looked at their uniform and talked about different firetrucks (with a ladder or a hose) and tried sounding like a firetruck siren.  I think wailing like a firetruck siren was a favorite!  We began firetruck-sculptures which we hope to finish on Monday.  We thought we would have a field trip to a real firetruck, but the truck and two firemen could not come on Wednesday - they came today, Friday, instead!  We also set up PAINT in our easel - teaching the children to put on an art smock and paint on the easel paper anytime during the day.  They are learning that the paintbrushes and paintcans stay at the easel and are not meant to be carried around the classroom.  Some children love to paint anytime and always, while others are too busy with toys and friends.  We like to encourage the gross motor skills of painting with the large motions that standing at the easel provides.  Apologies now for any odd locations you may discover paint (on someone's back, in their hair -- it is all part of the learning/exploring process of being two.

Friday was all about Mail.  We read an Elmo story which follows a letter from Elmo, through the mail system (trucks, sorting areas, planes, more trucks) to the desired home.  The kids each drew/wrote a letter to home.  Each began "Dear Mom and Dad" ... hopefully our smaller non-US postal system worked and you received your special letters today.  We also enjoyed the firefighters from South Side Place.  The children were able to climb into the firetruck (6-8 did!), to spray water from the hose (5-6 tried this - a few also wanted to run through the water! fortunately we were able to keep everyone dry!) and to hear the different sirens that the truck can make.  The sirens are very loud and scared a few.  One firefighter put on his gear so the children could watch a man morph magically into a firefighter -- heavy layers, including the hat!  I did take pictures and will share them via email (and possibly post a few on our class blog - holler if you do not want your child's photo to appear on the blog -- I will not name any individuals in the photos (a security issue, among other things).  Oh, and we also celebrated Shabbat with the other Toddler and Young Toddler classes.  Today, Cantor Tunitsky played music on his violin while we danced - great fun!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful young ones with us.  They make us laugh most everyday and keep us young as well!  AND Thank you for sharing such yummy snacks -- home-baked to pre-packaged - all are tasty and always enjoyed!

truly,  Ms. Cathy & Ms. Elena