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 Panda Bear Room

7:00-7:50 Drop off in Panda Room / Free Choice
7:50-8:00 Short circle time / Classroom transistion time
8:00-9:00 Breakfast / Table Activities / Sensory Table
9:00-9:45 Work time at classroom centers
9:45-10:00 Clean-Up Time
10:00-10:15 Circle Time - Hello song, counting, letters, name recogintion and literacy activities
10:15-10:45 Small Group Time- art projects,small and large motor activities, cooking and science projects, math concepts. Journaling time for writing and drawing activities.
10:45-11:00 Clean-Up Time
11:00-11:45 OutsideTime
11:45-12:15 Lunch
12:15-12:45 Bathroom Time / Story Time
12:45-3:30 Nap / Wake Up and Bathroom
3:30-4:00 Snack Time
4:00-4:30 Kindergarten Readiness Activities -(Letters, Numbers, Math, Writing and Table games)
4:30-6:00 Outside / Work Time / Pick Up

* This is only a guideline - Times are not exact.

Weekly Schedule

Mondays: Cooking Activity
Tuesdays: Games: 2nd and 4th Tuesday Learning Literacy Library
Wednesday: Weekly Reader
Thursday: Math or Science Activities
Friday: Spanish and Art

Biography's:

Name: Tina

1. Born/Raised: Middleton / Madison area

2. Family: Husband-Corey, Sons-Logan and Dylan, Daughter-Taylor

3. Hobbies: I enjoy shopping, taking long drives and spending time with my family.

4. Education: I have attended several MATC Early Childhood Education classes.

5. Experience: I worked at Animal Crackers with infants through 11 year olds as well as with school-agers at Afterschool Inc.

6. Years in the field: 8 years

7. Years at Animal Crackers: 3 years first time I was employed here. I was hired back on 5-3-04.

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? ? It is such a rewarding profession to know that you make a difference every day.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with?
I enjoy working with preschoolers because I love being able to experience the excitement of learning so much like writing their name, recognizing their letters and trying their shoes.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? We went on a fun family vacation to California.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “Cloudy with a chance of meatballs”, It is so fun to use your imagination about all the weather.

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Name:Melissa

1. Born/Raised: Madison, WI

2. Family: Mom- Tami, Stepdad- Nick, Dad-Steve, Sister-Ashley

3. Hobbies: I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends and family, snowboarding and reading.

4. Education: I have three years of college completed at Edgewood for my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

5. Experience: I have several practicum hours in schools in Madison.

6. Years in the field: Two years in education classes and practicum experience.

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 1-26-06

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? I love being around young children. They are very interesting, clever and fun. I also have a very high level of patience, which can be helpful when working with groups of children.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? I am working with one year olds, and I enjoy how different every child is, and how they can make me laugh. I am also interested in how much they grow and change so quickly.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? I enjoyed spending Saturdays with my grandma doing crafts and playing in the backyard among many other things.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “The Giving Tree”, because I felt so horrible for the tree but was content by the end…t’s a great message.

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Name: Katie

1. Born/Raised: Lodi, Wisconsin

2. Hobbies: Puzzles, watching movies, playing games, dancing and coloring.

3. Education: UW Whitewater for Early Childhood dual licensure.

4. Experience: Camp Counselor at Cyrstal Lake.

5. Years in the field: Since 2004

6. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired August 2006

7. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education?I have always had a passion for children and I want to try to make an impact in some of their lives.

8. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory is playing with my two cousins and my brother at my grandmas house.

9. What is your favorite children’s book and why? My favorite childrens book is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".