Parent Newsletter
Chadron Preschool
April 10-12, 2012
Howdy Partners! We hope that you and your family had a nice
Easter break. This short but fun-filled
week had us learning more about pioneers, cowboys and the Oregon Trail. Saddle up…for a fun read! (giggle)
Pioneers are the intrepid travelers who set out into the
great unknown and settled our American West.
These brave people were looking for a better life and a new place to
call home. One such pioneer was the
beloved author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. We
introduced our students to pioneer life through her books. Most of us are
familiar with Mrs. Wilder’s young adult books but there is now a series of children’s books known as My First
Little House Books. The children really enjoyed these wonderful
stories and this series can be found at the library.
The children have been so excited about having a “real”
covered wagon that we could try out. (Thanks to Mr. Wollesen for building this covered wagon!) We also have a
“Soddy” (house made out mud and straw) or
a log cabin set up in our room. We have
gathered up cattle with our stick
horses, “Blacky,”“Spots,” and “Cinnamon” and learned the different ways to stop
and start a horse! Giddddy-Yap! Whoooa!
Ask your child the 3 different kinds of animals that can pull a wagon.
(horses, oxen and mules---which one did the best at pulling?)
We enjoyed two different kinds of meals the pioneers and
cowboys had. On Thursday, our class
enjoyed Johnny Cakes for breakfast. (recipe on back) Then for snack, we had
jerky and saltine crackers and Mrs. Hoffman explained how jerky is made and why
it was an important meal to the pioneers and cowboys of long ago! Ask your child what kind of meat (animals)
can be used to make jerky. Throughout
this week, we gathered around the “ol campfire” and sang old time Western songs
such as “You are my Sunshine,” “She’ll Be Coming around the Mountain,” and
“Shoo-Fly!” At rest time on Tuesday, we
listen to Bethany Zill’s CD of
Cowboy Music. Now that
COWGIRL can sing!
Mrs. Wollesen dressed up as a pioneer woman and
demonstrated just how hard it was to be a traveling “momma” on the Oregon Trail. These pioneers faced many trials, unfamiliar
terrain, limited accommodations, shortage of food and water at times! We also discussed how the Native Americans
could be of help to these travelers.
We would have LOVED to have gone to the Dawes County
Museum but our time is limited. The
teachers encourage you to take your child out to this wonderful museum this
summer and EXPLORE all the old fashioned pioneer items out there!
Show and Tell is on Wednesdays and we would like to thank those parents and children who
remember to bring one toy/item. Just
to let one and all know, one of our students is missing a small,
pink/reddish/brown plastic box that contains 2 DS games. If found, please return to the
classroom. THANK-YOU!
Coming SOON…Be on the lookout for preschool graduation
invites! Can you believe it? Only one more MONTH of school! Time
flies when WE are having FUN!
“Westward
Ho”-- Have A GREAT Weekend!
Johnny Cakes
(there are a variety of ways
to make JC, but this is a favorite of ours!)
2 beaten eggs
1 Cup of water
¾ c. milk
2 Tbsp. of lard/shortening
1 tsp of salt
*Butter and maple syrup OR
Molasses.
Choke cherry syrup is good too!
In bowl mix eggs, water, lard
and salt. Stir in cornmeal. Stir well
before making each Johnny Cake. For each
cake place ¼ batter on a hot well greased griddle, spread to ¼ inch thick. Cook until golden 2-3 minutes per side.
Serve warm with butter and/or
syrup/molasses.
Makes 12-14 cakes!
