supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE dressing up! so.... that makes Halloween one of my FAVORITE holidays.

I always like to be something different each year (or else it gets too boring!), however, I've compromised with having 3 different costumes. This way, I stay true to the Montessori 3 year cycle (and no kid sees my in the same costume the whole 3 years they're in my class).

Last year I was Cat in the Hat which was a huge hit. So I knew that I needed to step it up if I wanted to continue my awesome costume streak.

I knew I wanted to semi make my costume and... be something 'child-related' (being a teacher and all)... so... I decided on Mary Poppins!

I made my bow tie, hat and skirt... I know that's not very homemade- but it was the best I could do. I made my bow tie with red felt, a glue gun, and a pin (very easy- took me 10 mins).

I made my skirt using navy blue, light weight fabric and black elastic. I used Dana's Circle Skirt Pattern and it was so simple! Thanks Dana.

As for the hat, I bought a black hat from the party store and glued daisies on it using a glue gun- also very simple.

I had black shoes and black stockings. I borrowed a long black jacket from sister (thanks!), and bought a white button down shirt from Walmart (the kids section! $8.99). Oh and I had white gloves from a previous costume.

I put my hair in a low bun, gave myself some rosy red cheeks and red lips and voila! Mary Poppins.

(don't mind my morning coffee!)

All of the adults at school got a kick out of my costume...but unfortunately only a few of my children knew who Mary Poppins was! Am I that old?! Or does this new generation not watch classic Disney movies?!

Oh well...


...now... what to be next year?

a peak inside...

Hello!

Up until now- it's been hard to believe it's Fall.... with 75-80 degree weather it feels more like summer! Although this week we have been slowly cooling down into the 60's.

I'm am a pure lover of summer...but I must admit that the cool, crisp air and the soft blue skies have been quite enjoyable.

I thought I'd give you a quick peak inside the classroom so you can see what we're doing to celebrate the change of season!

Ghost handprints.

Our art table fall centerpiece (notice the perfect pinecones!) 



Tong work with skeletons.

Pumpkin sorting.

Halloween tree. I bought this from Target in the dollar section! What a steal (although I think it was really $2.50- but still!) It came with 8 or 9 little ornaments (ghosts and bats) to hang on the tree. The children LOVE this work.

Make your own Jack-O-Lantern! This is work is on the shelf in the art area. See below for tray set up.

Halloween fingerprint scene. 

This is on the shelf in the art area. On the tray I have stamp pads, sponge (for cleaning fingers in between colors), 1/2 sheet white papers, black marker, and a 'sample' picture that I made and laminated as a guide for the children. The children are encouraged to make a Halloween scene using their fingerprints and black marker.

(my sample sheet) I apologize for the flash glare!

Bracelet weaving. I used the top of a plastic pencil case and wrapped black yarn around the center 4 times and tied it together on the bottom. Then attached the orange yarn with a large plastic needle on the end. For the little ones I double up the yarn so they can't lose the yarn from the needle- but for the older ones I just use a single string of yarn. If the yarn comes out of the needle- it's good hand/eye coordination and fine motor practice!

Over, under, over, under... then back... over, under, over, under...

That's all for now!

Happy Fall <3

the perfect pine cone

So the turn of the season has been in full swing this week...

the cool crisp air, the falling leaves, and the shorter days.

I only have a few fall decorations-but this year I did something new. I bought a bag of cinnamon scented pine cones (I normally wouldn't do this, because they are rather expensive for pine cones- I think $7.99 a bag!). They smelled so good and I thought I could use them both at home and in the classroom. So I caved.

When I got home, I opened the bag- and the pine cones were PERFECT! They smelled delicious... They were symmetrical, full and had flat bottoms so they sat up straight. Just perfect. I walked around the house and placed them all around. I think it added a special touch of fall to our house- and of course the smell is an added bonus. 

In the classroom I made a little fall centerpiece for the art table so that the children can pick an object out and draw it. In the bowl I have yellow lentils (as a filler), 3 scented pine cones, 2 small white pumpkins, 1 small orange pumpkin, 2 gourds, and 1 acorn squash. (post/pictures coming soon!)

Happy Fall!