Winter
brought many opportunities to extend our information data bank through
scientific investigation, imaginative play sequences, architectural projects,
and interactions with peers.
Trees
are cool…no matter the weather conditions.
Several
of the children from the preschool-pre-K program discuss possible reasons for
the disappearance of the bark from the tree on our property. One student
suggested the woodpecker pecked off the bark while another postulated that the
wind "blew the bark away."
On
a walk several weeks later we discovered a “little tree” covered with snow.
We
also had lots of fun simply watching the snow as well as viewing the local
wildlife that visits our classroom from time to time.
We used our emerging literacy skills to research and learn additional information about a frog's anatomy and physiology.
Last
week, we were invited by Ms. Kris and our friends in the toddler classroom
to participate in a science experiment involving alum, food coloring, hot
water, and a hardboiled egg. We had lots of fun stirring the food coloring and
alum into the hot water, watching as the egg was gently dipped into the mixture
and discovering the next day the egg had turned into a geode like object with
“lots of sparkly green crystals”.
Ms.
Kris talks about the ingredients!
Science
is serious business in the preschool classroom…at least for the children.
We
love to share our observations with the toddlers.
We
always enjoy all the new works we find on the shelf…and the different ways to
acquire additional knowledge!
One
of our new classmates utilizes the numbers on the calendar to further his
understanding of the numbers from one to ten.
Two
of the children use the number rods for different purposes…one uses the rods as a base for addition and subtraction problems while the other makes patterns.
Finally
a use for old socks…as a matching work (I promise they were washed first).
A
preschool child sorts and counts the shape beads by type on our “new uses for
old materials” day.
Reading
is always exciting in the preschool classroom. The past two months we have read
nonfiction books about architecture and animals, stories about monsters who
need haircuts and aliens who want snacks, and reviewed our accomplishments in
our portfolio. We have also made our own versions of our favorite books and
illustrated them. And of course “new book Monday” is a perennial favorite-we
never know what books Ms. Sara will add to our library.
A child who recently transitioned from our toddler program re-reads "Ms. Sara's book".
A child who recently transitioned from our toddler program re-reads "Ms. Sara's book".
The
pre-K children (and the preschoolers) created their own stories and books using
the library books as templates.
So
many books…so much fun!
We
also like sharing our early literacy skillls with our friends!!
One
of our Pre-K children shows her younger classmate how to write her name on the
card for Ms. Kris.
A
preschool child demonstrates to his friend (they have been together since the
infant classroom J) the best way to learn how to write his
name by “putting your finger here and moving it.”
We
used books, plans, visual models and Ms. Sara’s knowledge of architecture (I
knew that information would come in handy someday) to create and build houses,
castles…and our own version of Fallingwater and Neuchwenstein.
A
young architect uses a stock house plan to create his own “cottage”.
Three
young architects peruse different house styles, collaborate on a plan and begin
a construction project.
Our
interpretation of Fallingwater-complete with dinosaur (picture taken by the
architect)
We
also discovered that the blocks could be used as dominoes!
And
we always find time for a little house cleaning…and dancing
Two
of the preschool children organize the various math manipulates. “I like
organizing.” One says to me!
One
of the students who will be going to kindergarten in the fall masters other
skills-learning how to sweep the floor!
Learning how to disco is fun!
Other
highlights from the past two months include a visit from the dentist
What
a big mouth!!
And
an even bigger tube of toothpaste.
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Our
valentine’s day party was a big hit…especially with food!
One last
note:
The
children have really enjoyed looking at their portfolios…and discussing their
particular views of kindergarten. To support these two interests, we are asking
families to send in candid snapshots of the children (from birth to now) to
make “me” books that highlight their accomplishments.
We need your junk! The preschool class is looking for the following items to add to different areas in the classroom:
1. nature items
2. stationary-labels-envelopes
3. writing implements such as colored pencils and fancy pens
4. tablecloths-napkins-place mats
5. odds and ends to sort and count
If you have any questions about what is appropriate to bring in please ask!
We need your junk! The preschool class is looking for the following items to add to different areas in the classroom:
1. nature items
2. stationary-labels-envelopes
3. writing implements such as colored pencils and fancy pens
4. tablecloths-napkins-place mats
5. odds and ends to sort and count
If you have any questions about what is appropriate to bring in please ask!
And
finally the legal stuff:
The
standards we met
Domain:
Approaches to Learning
Strand:
Creativity
Topic:
Innovation and Invention
Standards:
Use
imagination and creativity to interact with objects and materials.
Use
creative and flexible thinking to solve problems.
Engage
in inventive social play.
Domain:
Approaches to Learning
Strand:
Initiative
Topic:
Initiative and Curiosity
Standards:
Seek
new and varied experiences and challenges (take risks).
Demonstrate
self-direction while participating in a range of activities and routines.
Ask
questions to seek explanations about phenomena of interest.
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Domain:
Approaches to Learning
Strand:
Initiative
Topic:
Planning, action and reflection
Standards:
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:
Language and literacy Development
Strand:
Reading
Topic:
Reading comprehension
Standard:
Ask
and answer questions, and comment about characters and major events in
familiar stories.
Retell
or re-enact familiar stories.
Identify
characters and major events in a story.
Demonstrate
an understanding of the differences between fantasy and reality.
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Domain:
Language and Literacy Development
Strand:
Writing
Topic:
Writing Process
Standard:
Use a
3-finger grasp of dominant hand to hold a writing tool.
Demonstrate
an understanding of the structure and function of print.
With
modeling and support, print letters of own name and other meaningful words with
mock letters and some actual letters.
With
modeling and support, demonstrate letter formation in “writing.”
With
modeling and support show awareness that one letter or cluster of letters
represents one word.
Domain:
Cognition and General Knowledge
Strand:
Government
Topic: Civic Participation and Skills
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Standard:
Understand that everyone has rights and responsibilities within
a group.
Demonstrate cooperative behaviors and fairness in social
interactions.
With modeling and support, negotiate to solve social conflicts
with peers.
With modeling and support, demonstrate an awareness of the
outcomes of choices.
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