How Froggy Holler was Named

"Froggy Holler" is a curious name for a preschool I know so I suppose I ought to explain...;) 

There are a few reasons, first off, my mother in law Patti was a high school science and math teacher, and one warm school day her class was dissecting frogs. Well the class window (on the second story) was open that warm day and a student was working on his frog when his dissecting tool slipped and swoosh, before he knew it the frog flew right out the window! Well, unbenounced to the class the principal and other staff were walking right below and saw the flying frog in shock! Patti never lived it down, but she did play it up! From then on being the artist she is she drew flying frogs on the students assignments. So, when I had a classroom of my own I thought it would be fun to be the "frog teacher". I quite quickly had all sorts of stuffed frogs, frog fabric decor etc. and of course I had Patti draw me all sorts of frog posters for my classroom. 

 the school counselor in my 3rd grade room, 
check out all those posters in the background!

When I became a Mom to my son Quin I loved being home with him, and couldn't imagine being back in the classroom anytime soon. Eventually, I began to have dreams of starting my own little school (that Quin could be at) and thought that since I was the frog teacher after all I'd like my little school to have a froggy title. When I was younger I had a best friend that lived in an area on Vashon her dad named "Froggy Holler" (you can visit, it's near Camp Sealth) and I thought that sounded cute and fun! So, after I began hearing more about outdoor schools in our area in 2010, I decided to create "Froggy Holler" through the Shoreline Parks Department! The silly thing is there aren't really real frogs in Hamlin Park. ;) But the best thing about our name is when I get to shout, "Froggy" and the students all exclaim, "Holler" back at me! And that's the story!

Flower Week, Thurs Pre

Today, in between learning about flowers and their seeds there was also

 rock sliding,

dancing to flower music,

the finding and studying of an old large paper wasp nest,

a nice long hike around the woods,

time to chat,

LOTS of litter pick up,

stomping through the excellent mud,

some "fishing" in "Froggy Creek",

and then with our dandelions some hammering print making.

It was a full and fun day at froggy school!

Flower Week, Tues Pre

 

We got to celebrate May Day together in preschool this week. It was appropriately flower and seeds week so we were busy bees learning and doing projects on our theme! 

 We picked LOTS of dandelions, and heard a dandelion story:

We used all the dandelions to make hammered pictures,

and flower necklaces

We also read another story, danced to flower songs,

and discussed and planted seeds:

 

Research Supported!

Based on a recent study I'd have to say the parents of kiddos in FH, and all those taking their kids (especially girls) outside more often are doing their kids a great service! The NY Times article on the subject is here. This Spring I have more girls than ever, in fact in my preschool classes I have more girls than boys! Go Froggies!

Signs of Spring Thurs Pre

This Thursday we had a fun time searching for signs of spring all over the park, and the kids came up with a great list! The class started today at the creek, then onto the mud where I heard, "Pigs would like this mud! Pigs would LOVE this mud!" ~ T.

 

Then we searched for signs of spring all around Owl Valley,

 and sang, danced, snacked and read together too of course.

 

 A bracken fern unfurling

 M noticing the steam that was rising from the log

Then we were off again.

In Fairy Valley we stopped again to do some journal writing about spring:

 Here is the list we made today:

Signs of Spring

Mud!

Boots

Caterpillars

Huckleberries blooming

Worms

Slugs

Singing birds

Frogs

Bracken fern

Sword fern

Sun!

Froggy Holler at Kruckeberg!

This Spring and Summer Teacher Erin gets to teach at the Kruckeberg Garden in Shoreline! In addition to the wonderful Garden Tots program offered there on Friday mornings, there will be a Froggy Holler Garden Explorers drop off program on Friday afternoons from 1-2pm May 18th to June 22nd. I'm also running a Fairy Camp there in the summer, which I am SO excited for! Check out the website for more info and to sign up!

Signs of Spring K

This week at our FH K class we were busy! On Tuesday we started off at the creek (which was nearly all dried up!), then it was on up Mt. Trail where we discussed erosion.

Next we passed by the planting site where we chose our favorite plants. Then there was a little "chocolate factory" play and fort building time.

There the kids also made some "Forest Save Stew" which I was told, "Has magic that every now and then would get you another life!" Yeah, I'll take a bite kids! They kept adding to their soup with cinnamon and spices, and noodles when it was raining snow noodles in the fort (aka needles). We went from there to boat fort, where G drove the boat, and also started some new journal writing and drawing. Add in a little log balancing and a quick run back to the shelter and our day was complete!

 On Thursday we continued to add to our signs of spring list while first visiting the creek (wet again!) 

 

and tromping through the mud to Owl Valley. There they played dinos, and then the 3 little pigs in their "brick" house made of sticks. 

To end our day most of the kids did their journal writing and drawing about spring back at the shelter. This spring session this active group will certainly have fun together!
Signs of Spring
Sun
Baseball
Flowers growing
Baby centipede
Weeds growing
Caterpillar holes in leaves
New sword ferns
Baby english ivy