Our class had a variety of activities this week, some related and some not. One of most favorite books of the children is Sandra Boynton’s “Blue Hat, Green Hat.” In fact, for the past couple of months, it is requested at Circle Time almost daily. The teachers take turns reading it because it is read so often. Last Friday, the laughter was making it challenging to read the book. I took out my cards with the symbols for piano (soft) and forte (beatifully loud) and explained to the children that when I hold up the piano card they must stop laughing and listen. When I hold up the forte card, they may laugh. I didn’t think they would be able to do it. But the children always surprise me. It was so funny for all the teachers to watch the children remain silent at the parts when they always laugh and wait for the forte card to go up. When I finished the book, there is always a lot of laughter for the last page. I ‘forgot’ to hold up the forte card and the children sat there waiting. Finally, a few children started calling out to me “You forgot the forte card.” When I finally lifted the card, they proceeded with their laughter. Your children make me come back for more! The back cover of the book has illustrations for a number of other Sandra Boynton books. One child was always studying the back and told me which ones he wanted me to get. I asked him who is going to buy them and his response was “Use your money and buy the books”. Fortunately we have the wonderful Cary Library in Lexington. Our book bucket has been filled with more of her books and we have started working our way through all of them during Circle Time. But the children always request “Blue Hat, Green Hat.”

Our bulletin board is decorated with the monsters the children made last Friday. They were given some guidance on how to use the glue and tissue paper. They were then given a choice of shapes and made their own individual monsters.

On Monday and Tuesday, the children made projects based on author Don Freeman’s wonderful character, Corduroy. The children were very proud on Tuesday when they made the pocket and now know how to sew. If you are not familiar with Corduroy, I recommend reading the books. They will become your favorites, too.

Another favorite author of mine is Ezra Jack Keats. You may remember that I posted the children’s art based on his book “The Snowy Day” in the January 28 update. On Wednesday I read another of his books “Whistle for Willie.” This book is also about Peter and many of the children remembered Peter from “The Snowy Day.” We were able to figure out in what season each of the books takes place based on the clothes Peter is wearing. For both of these books, all of the children’s eyes are focused on the story, without a sound coming from them. That, to me, is a true test of the talent of the author’s ability to tell a story. Last December, I read another story by him named “Peter’s Chair.” I think I will need to make another trip to Cary Library to see if I can borrow other books by Ezra Jack Keats.

Did you figure out who our special Circle Time visitor has been this week? Corduroy! All of the children had turns to hug him the same way that Lisa does in the stories. Fortunately, Corduroy understands English, so it was easy to sing our Hello song to him.