We are a mixed age group of 3-5 year olds. We have a daily schedule in our classroom, which includes projects (art, math, science, cooking, Weekly Reader), circle time, small and large group, free choice and outside time. Our teachers plan and implement projects to provide us with information, expand our knowledge, challenge our developmental skills and to learn and play together. We follow the creative curriculum based on DAP Practices. Our teachers incorporate the Madison Metropolitan School District Early Learning Initiative Early Learning Standards into our curriculum as well. Our parents are expected to call and let our teachers know if we will be absent for any reason. Our parents also provide a crib sheet and blanket (for our cots) and at least two sets of extra clothes, as well as all weather-appropriate outdoor gear, including hats, gloves, snow pants and boots for winter. Please feel free to call 277-9990 to schedule a tour of our classroom.

Schedule for the Cat Room

7:00-8:00 Arrival: Greeting parents and children of the cats and pandas; children have free choice time at this point
8:00-8:30 Circle Time: this is a small time to pull the children together after the pandas leave and go to their room and before breakfast, we usually read books, do tape stories or sing some songs during this time
8:30-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-10:00 Free Choice Time: Children choose what area of the room they are going to play in
10:00-10:15 Clean Up Time
10:15-11:00 Large group/Small group: We do another circle time and then break into small groups at this point
11:00-11:45 Outside Time
11:45-12:30 Lunch and Potty Time
12:30-12:45 Books and calming down time
12:45-3:00 Naptime
3:00-3:30 Wake up and quiet choices
3:30-4:00 Snack Time
4:00-6:00 Outside or afternoon activity, saying goodbye to friends as they leave.

Weekly Schedule

Mondays: Game day for small group, calendar, songs, books, what did you do today is the large group
Tuesdays: Library comes twice a month and on the other two Tuesdays we will be working on math, letters, or numbers and What did you do today is large group
Wednesdays: We do the Weekly Reader; the components are hung on the parent center board; the large group is just cut to the calendar since the weekly reader takes a lot of our time
Thursdays: Cooking day for small group and the large group is What did you do today
Fridays: Art day or really teacher planned art activity because children do are throughout the day; large group is recap of what children did today.

Biography's:

Name: Jami Howsden

1. Born/Raised: I was born in Meadford, WI; lived in Sun Prarie from age 1 through age 5, then I moved to Jefferson. I stayed there until I went to school in Madison, and now I live in Madison.

2. Family: Mom-Lynette, Dad-Darrel, Brother-Chad

3. Hobbies: I enjoy reading and I love to be outdoors in the summertime.

4. Education: I have my two year Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from MATC

5. Experience: I cared for children when I was younger, then I became a nanny. After I completed college, I began working at Animal Crackers, and I have been here ever since.

6. Years in the field: I have been in the field for 10 years.

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 10-17-97

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? ? I love children, and I work hard to be a positive influence in their lives.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? I work with preschoolers (ages 3-5), and I enjoy how independent they are. Sometimes they seem like little adults. I also enjoy giving them the tools to succeed to help them learn and grow; and I learn a lot from them also.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? I have several fond memories of family vacations and outings we took together. My family is very important to me.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “OWEN” because the little mouse in the story has a blankie and his parents try and try to get rid of it and he doesn’t let them. I can relate to Owen in his story, and it’s an excellent story about persistence.

Back to the top

Name: Shalanda Byas

1. Born/Raised: Born in Chicago IL; raised in Madison, WI

2. Family: I have a family of three including myself; one older sister, and one older brother who passed away in 2001 (Rip Lynell). On my dad side of the family I have two sisters, and one brother. I also have a son who enjoys Animal Crackers very much!

3. Hobbies: I enjoy reading books that kind of relate to my life. I also like to relax and watch movies.

4. Education: I attended some college and certified in family child care.

5. Experience: I’ve done volunteer work with children in the past, taken classes such as child care teacher and strategies for working with young children. I attend several continuing education classes annually.

6. Years in the field: About 11 years

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 11-29-01

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? As a child I was always a care taker. I knew from that point on I wanted to work with children; it has always been a passion because I am so good at it.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? I work with 3-5 year olds, and I love it because I get to see them develop and learn and in the process I get to learn things from them as well. The best part is sending them off to kindergarten and knowing I had something to do with their progress and success.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? Just growing up with my sister and brother and watching my mom work extra hard as a single parent to make sure we had everything we needed.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? "Harold and the Purple Crayon" because children use their imagination all day, and that book allows you to use your imagination when reading it.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn't otherwise guess about you? When I was a young girl, probably about 12 years old, I kind of helped one of the older cousins deliver her first child at home because she couldn’t make it to the hospital in time. I was very scared at the time, but it was a great experience.

Back to the top

Name: Kristi

Back to the top