Retelling, Word Family Fun, & A Recipe!

Last week we must have listened to A Bad Case of the Stripes at least a bazillion jillion million times.  Anything less would be a gross understatement.  It was the final story for retelling this year, and if you haven't read it ... well, it's kind of long and has an incredible amount of detail for 5- and 6-year-old children to remember.  So the little ones got to listen to me read it and listen to it on cd over.. and over..and over.  By Friday, when everyone had finished retelling the story, I decided it was time for a little bit of fun with the story!  We decorated Camilla Cream with our favorite stripes from the story and took on the role of her doctor, prescribing her with medicine that would cure her stripes!

We also used this activity as a discussion starter for being safe with medicine (to include vitamins) and only using them as recommended under adult supervision.

We also had more word family fun, making two of my favorite crafts: '-ick' ice cream and '-ash' cash!

 

 

The kids really enjoyed making their wallets, even though the money was pretend. 

Some of your children may have come home and told you that we had a visitor on Friday! Now, I don't make a habit out of talking with the kids about my personal life .. but when I went to the Debbie Diller conference back in September, there was also a substitute covering Mrs. Axelrod's classroom.   For whatever reason, when I came back to school the next day, all of the students were saying "Miss Francis! We met your boyfriend yesterday! He was a sub in that (pointing to Mrs. Axelrod's) room!"  I was a bit puzzled by their comment, and explained that while I wasn't sure exactly who they had met, it was not my boyfriend, as he lives far away in Florida.  Ever since that day, the kids have periodically looked at the photo on my desk and asked if they would get to meet him.  

Mr. David, as they know him, is not quite as fond of being in the classroom setting as I am.  He finds it difficult to have nine discussions at once and follow what children are saying when it's not in full sentences. ;0)  He doesn't understand why they ask so many questions, or give so many hugs, or get so excited about something as common as a ladybug.  But, he knew they wanted to meet him, and he knew I wanted them to meet him, so he pretended to be as fascinated by the ladybug and follow the conversations when he visited on Friday. 

The kids, excitedly showing off their journals.

I think this might say "Mr. David loves Ms. Francis."

Alaina was sitting by herself at recess so I decided to take a picture with her.

The kids were playing 'Picture Day.'

And Asher requested a photo with Mr. David.
Haha, leave it to Kindergarten students to make you feel special.

I know I feel short when I stand next to David (he's 6'3"), so the kids must have felt miniature!

Anyway, I don't usually post stuff like this, but if any of your children enjoy eating toaster strudel, you should try this homemade version! David is always talking about Toaster Strudel and, having never had it, I couldn't relate to the deliciousness.  I decided I'd try to make him a fresh version when he came to see me.  Of course, I couldn't eat it (it's full of gluten!) but David insists it's wonderful.  

Strawberry Strudel

• 2 sheets Puff Pastry, thawed 
• (Please note that this takes 40 minutes to thaw out on the counter or overnight in the fridge.)
• 1 can pie filling (I used Lucky Leaf Strawberry, but you can use any flavor)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese
• 4 tbsp milk (more for thinner frosting)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Unfold the puff pastry sheets and slice on the creases with a pizza cutter.  Cut each strip in half, creating six rectangles per sheet. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.  (Don't have one of these? Look into it! They are amazing.)  Bake for 12-14 minutes or until puffy and slightly golden.  Remove from oven.

Poke a fork into one end of the pastry pillow and open it enough to stuff a spoonful (or two!) of pie filling.  When you've filled each puff, return to the oven for an additional 4 minutes.  While baking, beat the powdered sugar, cream cheese and milk with a fork to desired consistency.  Drizzle the icing on top and serve warm.  Yum! You can save any extras in an airtight container and pop them into a toaster oven for 4-7 minutes on the bake setting to reheat.

This recipe was adapted from one found on Shugary Sweets

As always, owl be teaching you tomorrow!