OCTOBER 2019
EXPLORING Trees and Shadows CRAFT: Fall Leaf Wreath
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Suggested reading
This Month at Playworks…
The Big Tree
October brings with it plenty of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, as trick-or-treaters parade creative costumes around the neighborhood and spooky fun sweeps the streets. At Playworks, this time of year means plenty of frightening fun for the whole family, as we gear up for our annual Halloween Party in the Atrium. Grab the kids, break out the costumes, and join us on Saturday, October 26, between 3-6pm for games, prizes, food, activities, crafts, and more—all in the spooky spirit of the season.
by Bruce Hiscock
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson
On a more serious note, October also happens to be National Bullying Prevention Month. Thousands of children experience bullying— whether in person, over text, or online—every single day. Please join in the fight to help prevent bullying in all forms by joining in one of the many activities and events planned for this important awareness campaign. Read more about what you can do as an individual and within your community on pages 4-5. Wherever the month of October takes you, we wish you and your family health and happiness—and a Happy Halloween!
Playworks Staff Spotlight:
Ryan McGill How long have you worked at Playworks? 1 year
describe yourself in one word: Goofy
What is your position at Playworks? School-Age Educare Manager
Favorite board game: Stratego
Favorite part of working at Playworks: Watching kids accomplish a goal and seeing their faces light up with joy
Favorite food: Cherry PEZ and orange Tic Tacs
Favorite children’s books: Whisper from the Woods by Victoria Wirth
Favorite color: Green Favorite animal: Koala
Moonbear's Shadow by Frank Asch
Music Class Today!
by David Weinstone
Violet's Music by Angela Johnson
I Love You Ritual: My Face Has a Gift for You Connect with your child by playing this simple, goofy game, based on the old favorite, “Pick a Hand!” Facing your child, put both of your hands behind your back and then bring them in front of you. Tell the child, “Pick a hand, any hand.” When the child selects a hand, briefly make a funny face and noise (e.g., cross your eyes and giggle), then put your hands behind your back again. Repeat the process, trying out different funny faces and noises— be sure to move at a rapid pace to keep the fun surprising. As your child gets the hang of it, you can ask them to take the lead and make funny faces and noises of their own!
IMPORTANT DATES ALL MONTH: National Bullying Prevention Month OCTOBER 6-12: Fire Prevention Week OCTOBER 23: Unity Day
OCTOBER 26: Playworks Halloween Party 3-6pm Playworks Atrium
OCTOBER 31: Halloween Trick-or-Treating at Playworks
NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH:
Each day, thousands of youths experience bullying by peers while at school, after school in their communities, and even through social media and texts. There are many ways to support bullying prevention and take on roles that help make a difference. Every October, individuals from across the country—and around the world—come together with the common interest of keeping individuals safe during National Bullying Prevention Month.
Listen to me!
what you can do if you are experiencing 1. Know this: no one 2. Think about ways to 3. Be your own selfbullying: deserves to be bullied. advocate. Self-advocacy take action. Those No matter what form it takes, negative behavior directed at you hurts. If you think you are being bullied, it’s not always easy to know what you should do, but it’s important to know you have options. Here are a few ideas:
Bullying is not your fault, it's natural to feel emotions such as sadness, fear, loneliness, anger, or confusion as a result of it.
who bully depend on their targets being silent, as it allows their behavior to continue without consequences. Although it can be difficult to talk about, it's important to connect with someone and share what you are going through.
means learning to speak up for yourself, telling people what you need, and taking action. Trust that change can happen when action is taken.
what youth can do to help peers who are experiencing bullying: Peer support makes a world of difference! When someone is hurting, especially emotionally, your support as a peer is incredibly meaningful. Here are a few ways you can help if you suspect someone you know is being bullied:
1.
Practice intentional acts of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. If you know someone being bullied, let them know you care by encouraging them to talk about their experiences. Reach out, be a friend, and show your support.
2. Redirect the situation. If you
see bullying in person, you can help the person being bullied get away from the situation by asking them to walk with you, or change the subject when your peers start tearing someone down.
3. Seek advice from an adult
you trust. An adult, such as a parent or a favorite teacher, can help you think through different ways to respond while ensuring everyone stays safe.
4
Highlighted Learning Objective:
Help put an end to bullying
Demonstrating knowledge of
Print and its Uses Reading and writing are fundamental concepts throughout a child’s early development. It’s never too early to begin introducing basic knowledge and conventions of print and books—read about these important skills below:
what this looks like: Shows understanding that text is meaningful, such as pointing to words on a sign
National Bullying Prevention Month
is a nationwide awareness campaign and a platform for advocates to take action to help create safe and supportive schools for today’s youth. The campaign also promotes dialogue between educators, parents, and students on their roles in addressing and preventing bullying. The ultimate goal is for everyone to unite in kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, therefore creating a world without bullying.
bullying prevention resources for kids and teens: • kidsagainstbullying.org • teensagainstbullying.org • pacer.org
UNITY DAY 2019: wednesday, October 23
wear and share orange!
4. There is power in numbers— encourage others to come together against bullying and unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. When a group works together for a common cause, real change can happen!
Together against bullying— united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Those words are at the heart of what Unity Day is all about—bringing people together to spread a message of hope and support. By wearing orange on October 23, you are showing that our society believes no child should ever experience bullying and it is never acceptable behavior.
Indicates where to start reading and the direction to follow by moving their finger left to right, following the words on the page Shows awareness of various features of print, such as letters, words, or capitalization (e.g. points to the word “hippopotamus” and says, “That’s a long word!”) Matches a written word with a spoken word or tracks print from the end of one line of text to the beginning of the next line
ways parents and caregivers can help: Display print items at the child’s eye level—if placed too high, children will not be able to see it or notice its features Draw their attention to the conventions of print, such as beginning a sentence with a capital letter or using a period to mark the end of a sentence Talk about concepts of books when reading to your child—discuss where the writing starts on the page and which way to proceed when writing (i.e., left to right)
Recipe:
Doughnut Hole
acorns
These adorable and delicious sweet treats are sure to get you excited for fall!
directions: ingredients: 1 cup candy melts, melted Assorted sprinkles Chopped peanuts 1 dozen glazed doughnut holes Pretzel sticks
1. In a small bowl, stir melted candy melts until smooth. 2. Pour sprinkles and nuts into separate small bowls. 3. Dunk one end of the doughnut hole into the melted chocolate, and then dip into sprinkles, nuts, or both! 4. Insert a pretzel stick into the center of the chocolatedipped side of the doughnut. 5. Let the acorns sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Focused Experience:
connecting with
Music and Movement This month, Playworks’ infant and toddler classrooms will be focusing on making connections with music and movement. Kids of all ages enjoy music, and it can be a powerful tool in helping them learn and develop useful social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Here are some of the ways that you can see this development in action:
when your child...
Your child is learning...
Is soothed by soft music
To comfort himself/herself
Holds hands and dances with another child
How to play with other children
Stomps around the room to a march
To use his/her large muscles
Joins a fingerplay
How to master fine motor skills
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
Trees and Shadows With the changing colors and darkening days of fall, it is only natural that kids become all the more fascinated by trees, shadows, and everything in between. This month at Playworks, students will have the opportunity to investigate the outdoors through the study of trees and shadows. This study focuses on helping children develop an understanding of the characteristics of trees, the creatures that live in them, the food they produce, and their role in the natural world and civilized society. As a direct offshoot of the tree study, children will also have the chance to investigate a familiar phenomenon— shadows. Studying shadows enables children to begin connecting direct experiences with the earth and space, as well as concepts related to the sun and solar system. Meanwhile, Playworks’ infant and toddler classrooms will be creating meaningful experiences through music and movement. Exploring artistic outlets—such as singing and dancing—at a young age has many benefits for children, including aiding in the development of mental, social, and emotional skills, boosting self-esteem, and developing fine motor skills. Whether your child is banging on pots and pans or mastering a new instrument, be sure to provide them with the time, supplies, and encouragement they need to fully reap these benefits and grow as an individual.
Family-Friendly EVENTS
october 9
mdewakanton public safety fire prevention week open house 5-8pm Mdewakanton Public Safety (2525 Flandreau Trail NW, Prior Lake)
ANNUAL
HALLOWEEN
PARTY
GAMES, PRIZES, FOOD, ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS & MORE!
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SATU R DAY
2 6 3-6
OCTOBER
pm
COSTUMES ENCOURAGED QUESTIONS?
Bring the whole family to the Mdewakanton Public Safety fire station to learn about fire safety and equipment at their annual open house event. This year’s featured activities include: a chili cook-off (hotdogs and chips also provided), snow plow display, State Patrol rollover simulator, electric safety demonstration, weather safety booth, and an appearance from Sparky the Fire Dog!
Contact Rebecca Dvorak at rebecca.dvorak@playworksfun.com or call 952.496.6817. Standard drop-off and family play rates apply.
952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com 2200 trail of dreams, PRIOR LAKE, MN
october 26
playworks halloween party
3-6pm Playworks Atrium (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake) All are welcome to join in the bone-chilling fun at the Playworks Halloween Party—if you dare! The party will include games, prizes, food, activities, and crafts, galore! Don’t forget to take home a loot bag. Costumes are encouraged. Standard Atrium rates apply.
PUBLIC EXHIBIT
NOW OPEN
EXPLORE DAKOTA HISTORY AND HERITAGE THROUGH A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE THAT TRACES THE ROOTS, CULTURE, LANGUAGE, AND LIFEWAYS OF THE MDEWAK ANTON PEOPLE, PAST AND PRESENT.
2300 Tiwahe Circle Shakopee, MN 55379 952.233.9151 shakopeedakota.org
FOR SCOTT COUNTY RESIDENTS
8
(MUST SHOW ID)
–2 AM P
M
OCTOBER
YARD WASTE RECYCLING
3½
COOKS IN
MINUTES
!
SMSC
Organics Recycling Facility
952.445.5520 • sdcstores.com SDCS #1 | 15035 mystic lake dr, Prior Lake, Mn
ENTERPRISES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Craft:
Fall Leaf wreath directions:
What did one autumn leaf say to the other leaf? “I’m falling for you!” Try this easy-to-make fall leaf wreath to give your home a pop of fall color.
1
Start by cutting out the middle of the paper plate to make the base of the wreath.
2
Glue the leaves to the wreath in your desired pattern or arrangement. Allow glue to dry completely. Add a second layer of leaves if necessary to fill in any gaps.
3
Tie a piece of ribbon or twine through the top of your wreath, and your gorgeous décor is ready to hang!
Materials: Fresh leaves, dried leaves, fake leaves, or construction paper leaves all work equally well!
Scissors Paper plate Glue Colorful leaves Ribbon or twine
COMMUNITY
DAY
Community is About Unity
Join Us in Sharing and Learning Native American Culture and History
Saturday, November 16
PUBLIC INVITED and WELCOME
9am–2pm
FREE ADMISSION
OPEN HOUSE
Hoċokata Ti
5K Kids
n u R Fun
at the meadows at mystic lake
Saturday • November 23
2300 TIWAHE CIRCLE, SHAKOPEE, MN
EXPERIENCE AND LEARN ABOUT
Arts and Crafts | Native American Culture and Language | Local History Indigenous Food | Film Showing | Federal Policy Impact | Gaming History | And More!
! PLUS
RSVP at shakopeedakota.org/unity
DAKOTAHSPORT.COM/TURKEYTROT
Visit the Public Exhibit
Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake
952.445.8900 • SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG
2100 Trail of Dreams Prior Lake, MN 55372
enterprises owned and operated by the shakopee mdewakanton sioux community
952.445.9400