When the biggest discussion of the day, for several days, is whether snow cones or ice cream are better to make in the sandbox, it’s time for some project work! We started by interviewing each other to discover which was more popular.
Once determining that snow cones were the top choice, we decided we’d better figure out how to make them. We knew that snow cones had ice and “flavors” that you squeezed over the top. We decided to start there. Turns out that making snow cone syrup only requires water, sugar, and drink flavor packets. I bought the only 3 left in the grocery store (cherry, grape, and watermelon) and tried them out.
Once the syrup cooled a bit (it was barely above freezing outside, so it didn’t take long), it was time to try it out. Students took turns taking orders and relaying it to me as I crushed the ice. The student then called the customer back to the counter to pick up his/her order. Gratefully by this time the sun came out and the temperature warmed considerably. I loved how the students found places in the sunshine to sit, eat, and socialize together.
But quite possibly my favorite part was the next day, when the students patiently waited in line for their very own sand snow cone. When the last student to come in for snack had to run back out to change the sign on our shop from OPEN to CLOSED, you know it was a successful day! Communication, self-control, turn-taking, creativity, and so much more at it’s best! Next up- ice cream!!
Little Garden Preschool 
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