Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Math moments

The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'


Math is fun in preschool...whether you are outside writing numbers for the "hopscotch" game or counting buttons for the snowman!


What's the date again?
Two of the Pre-Kindergarten work together to put the numbers on the calendar in sequential order.
 
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Number Sense

Topic: Number Sense and Counting
Standard: Count to 20 by ones with increasing 
accuracy.
Identify and name numerals 1-9.

Domain: Social and Emotional Development
Strand: Relationships
Topic:   Peer Interactions and Relationships
Standard: Demonstrate socially competent 

behavior with peers.



 After observing his older peers,  a preschool child creates his own numerical sequence.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Number Sense

Topic: Number Sense and Counting
Standard: Count to 20 by ones with increasing 
accuracy.
Identify and name numerals 1-9.
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand:   Initiative
Topic: Planning, Action and Reflection 
Standard: Develop, initiate and carry out 
simple plans to obtain a goal.
Use prior knowledge and 
information to assess, inform, and 
plan for future learning


Olaf would be very excited to know his fellow snowmen now have buttons.

Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Number Sense
Topic: Number Sense and Counting
Standard: Count to 20 by ones with increasing 
accuracy.
Identify and name numerals 1-9.
Identify without counting small 
quantities of up to 3 items. (Subitize)
Demonstrate one-to-one correspondence when counting

Take your "math work" outside week!
After Ms. Sara wrote the numbers we stated, we worked on identifying the numbers as we hopped and skipped (and ran) our way down the hopscotch line. One of our kindergartners copied the numbers to create an additional hopscotch area for people to use "while they're waiting". 










Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Number Sense
Topic: Number Sense and Counting
Standard: Count to 20 by ones with increasing 
accuracy.
Identify and name numerals 1-9.


Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Initiative
Topic: Planning, Action and Reflection 

Develop, initiate and carry out 
simple plans to obtain a goal.
Use prior knowledge and 
information to assess, inform, and 
plan for future actions and 
learning.

Domain: Physical Well-being and Motor Development
Strand: Strand: Motor Development

Topic: Large Muscle, Balance and Coordination
Standard: Demonstrate locomotor skills with 
control, coordination and balance 
during active play (e.g., running, 
hopping, skipping). 

A preschool child checks out the numbers his classmates drew in the afternoon.

We then picked a card from a set of numerals 1-20 and then wrote the numerals ourselves!
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Number Sense
Topic: Number Sense and Counting
Standard: Count to 20 by ones with increasing 
accuracy.
Identify and name numerals 1-9.

Domain: Physical Well-being and Motor Development
Strand: Motor Development
Topic: Small Muscle: Touch Grasp, Reach, Manipulate
Standard: Coordinate the use of hands, 
fingers and wrists to manipulate 
objects and perform tasks 
requiring precise movements.

For additional resources on how to integrate mathematics in everyday play and conversations: 

For further reading on mathematics in early childhood: http://www.highscope.org/file/EducationalPrograms/EarlyChildhood/EarlyMath.pdf

Books can help reinforce mathematical concepts as well. Ask the children's librarian at your local library for their suggestions. Some of our favorites have included Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh and 20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street by Mark Lee.

Teaching is fun

"A good friend remembers what we were and sees what we can be."
- Unknown





During the past week, the Preschool/ Pre-kindergarten children have been very interested in scaffolding (with some assistance from the teacher ) the skills and abilities of their peers and have introduced such new concepts as caring for the “infant”, sorting and grouping the colored beads and identifying the letters in the alphabet puzzle.  We have even learned about sequencing numbers (in several one-on-one sessions) from one of our classmates who goes to kindergarten in the morning.




Pirates love to help their mates learn about sorting and grouping beads by color and type...whether or not they are in costume.

Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Mathematics
Strand: Algebra
Topic: Group and Categorize
Standard: Sort and classify objects by one or 
more attributes (e.g., size, shape).




 Reading a "dusty" book first thing in the morning is an important first step in establishing a relationship.
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand:  Reading

Topic: Reading Comprehension
Standard: Retell or re-enact familiar stories.

 
Once a connection has been formed, we can then proceed to modeling how to use the works in the classroom.
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand: Reading
Topic: Letter and Word Recognition
Standard: With modeling and support, 
demonstrate understanding that 
alphabet letters are a special 
category of symbols that can be 
named and identified.



Knowing how to properly care for the "infant" in the classroom is critical for future success.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Strand: Cognitive Skills

Topic: Memory
Standard: Recreate complex ideas, 
events/situations with personal 
adaptations

Learning how to construct roads and highways with a senior civil engineer is also important.
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand Creativity

Topic Innovation and Invention
Standard: Engage in inventive social play.


                       Two artists collaborate on paintings for their families while discovering that different ways to mix the paints made "peach" and "red"
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Creativity
Topic: Expression of Ideas and Feelings through the Arts
Standard: Express individuality, life 
experiences, and what he/she
knows and is able to do through a 
variety of media.
Express interest in and show 
appreciation for the creative work 
of others.

Sharing new ideas with colleagues is a vital part of the teaching process.
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand: Expressive Language
Topic:  Social Communication
Standard: With modeling and support
follow typical patterns when 
communicating with others (e.g., 
listens to others, takes turns 
talking and speaks about the topic 
or text being discussed).



 A job well done everyone!
Domain: Social and Emotional Development
Strand: Strand: Relationships
Topic:   Peer Interactions and Relationships 
Standard: Demonstrate socially competent 
behavior with peers.




Special note: Please remember that we will continue to go outside even with the dropping temperatures so please send your child dressed (or have them dress) for cold weather fun!




Thank you!!!

MS. Sara and the Preschool/ Pre-K children (and the kindergarten students as well)