Week in Review: October 17th- 21st

Choo Choo!!! How do trains communicate with one another?

We have been exploring trains with Ms. Farhat, and ramps & pathways with Mrs. Lovejoy. The children are interested in many different aspects such as train movement on tracks, different types of trains, and train sounds. We have worked on building a completed track together as a group. The children were able to work cooperatively and problem solve which track pieces work together to build a complete track. Children have also shown an interest in train sounds and how they communicate with each other and people in their surroundings. We will focusing on the different types of train sounds and what they mean by listening to videos and recognizing what each sound means.

TS Gold Objectives Met: 

3. Participates cooperatively and constructively in group situations a. Balances needs and rights of self and others B. Solves social problems 7. Demonstrates fine-motor strength and coordination a. Uses fingers and hands 11. Demonstrates positive approaches to learning a. Attends and engages b. Persists c. Solves problems d. Shows curiosity and motivation . e. Shows flexibility and inventiveness in thinking

Exploring Ramps and Pathways 

The children  have enjoyed driving cars around a track and rolling balls down a ramp with Mrs. Lovejoy. They have explored balls, cubes, triangles, seashells and pens going down a ramp and how the height of the ramp changed the speed. We also noticed that some objects rolled while others slid down the ramp. To continue, we plan to place objects in the way to slow down the speed of the objects with different materials. The children are using scientific inquiry skills by making predictions and testing their ideas. They are recognizing and making real life connections to what they know and see about trains, ramps and pathways. Parents can participate by finding trains, ramps, and pathways and sharing their findings with the class!

TS Gold Objectives Met: 

6. Demonstrates gross motor manipulative skills 

11. Demonstrates positive approaches to learning a. Attends and engages b. Persists c. Solves problems d. Shows curiosity and motivation . e. Shows flexibility and inventiveness in thinking

12. Remembers and connects experiences 

24. Uses scientific inquiry skills

Exploring Boats 

The children have shown a genuine interest in the boats. This week we provoked their thinking by setting up a large screen, projection of a sailboat and large wooden blocks. The children began their exploration by arranging the large wooden block pieces into a rectangle shape. The children used the triangle blocks to assist them while getting on and off the boat. A second set of blocks were set on top of the platform to act as the seats on the boat.This exploration brought up a lot of ideas about pirates, treasure, where can travel on our boat, and what our boat needs to be successful. 

TS Gold Objectives Met: 

3. Participates cooperatively and constructively in group situations a. Balances needs and rights of self and others B. Solves social problems 11. Demonstrates positive approaches to learning a. Attends and engages b. Persists c. Solves problems d. Shows curiosity and motivation . e. Shows flexibility and inventiveness in thinking

29. Demonstrates knowledge about self 30. Shows basic understanding of people and how they live

36. Explores drama through actions and language

Exploring Fall Through the Visual Arts 

We have had several conversations about the changes we see taking place outside. Many of the children notice how the temperature has been cooler and the trees are changing color. We wanted to bring the various elements of fall indoors. This week we had the children represent the pumpkins and gourds through painting. The children pointed out the bumpy and smooth parts of the gourds and pumpkins. We placed leaves on the light table and discussed the differences among the leaves. 

Ts Gold Objectives Met: 

26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials 33. Explores the visual arts

12. Remembers and connects experiences a. Recognizes and recalls b. Makes connections

7. Demonstrates fine-motor strength and coordination a. Uses fingers and hands b. Uses writing and drawing tools