Week in Review (1/23-1/27)

Week in Review (1/23-1/27)

Representing Tulips

Last week the children were able to watch tulips bloom and change within the classroom. They talked about how they looked and what they saw happening. We invited them to represent the tulips with line and color. First we heard students talking about the colors they saw such as green, pink, and purple. We offered them paints in these colors and noticed how they represented the tulips. During their work, they became more aware of how the stem and petals were shaped. We encouraged more detail and invited the children to represent the tulips by drawing them.

Objectives Met:

"25. Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things 

26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials 

33. Explores the visual arts

Caring for Animals

After noticing the children's interest in animals, we added new materials to the dramatic play area. Children used their stuffed animals with collars, leashes, food bowls, and pet toys. We had a whole group discussion about it that helped prepare the children for exploring these items themselves. We discussed how to take care of animals and thought about specific things a pet might need.  It also led to journal writing about the pets we have at home or wish we had at home.

Objectives Met: 

25. Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things 

 30. Shows basic understanding of people and how they live 

14. Uses symbols and images to represent something not present 

a. Thinks symbolically 

b. Engages in sociodramatic play

Building for a Purpose

The children's interest in both construction and animals came together last week. We decided that it would "rain" in the block area and challenged children to create homes for animals that could keep the rain out. We repeated the exploration with snow and asked the children to think about how their homes could keep the animals warm as well. 

Objectives Met: 

 24. Uses scientific inquiry skills. 

25. Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things

26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials

27. Demonstrates knowledge of Earth’s environment 

Week in Review (1/17-1/20)

Week in Review (1/17-1/20)

New Blocks

Our classroom is always a Construction Zone! We brought some new, large hollow blocks into the building area to extend on this. The children have brought them out everyday this week to build icebergs, speed boats, pirate ships, roads, buildings, and more! It is exciting to watch them engage with this new material. We look forward to seeing what they construct next. 

Objectives Met:

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

Small Scientists

We are lucky enough to have a class full of scientists this year. Recently we have offered the children some new scientific experiments to explore. They studied the reaction of combining baking soda and vinegar. We also froze small toys in ice and challenge the students to get them out. They tested different methods such as adding hot water and scraping the ice with spoons. They enjoy noticing the cause and effects happening in their experiments. 

Objectives Met:
 24. Uses scientific inquiry skills.
26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials

Pendulum Painting

It was exciting to combine movement and art this week when we used a pendulum for painting. We attached a cup and string to a frame creating a pendulum. The children put paint in the cup and watched what happened as it moved over the paper. "Its making a planet shape!" said James L. Kirby said "We need to make more dots"

Objectives Met:

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 

26. Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials

Week in Review (1/9-1/13)

Week in Review (1/9-1/13)

Introducing Small Groups

We have seen such growth within the classroom! This semester we are introducing small groups as a way to create more one-on-one opportunities to work with the children on important skills. We have been doing small groups every morning before we go outside. So far the children have done some journal entries, worked on their cutting skills, practiced putting on their own gloves, and focused on writing their names. We are excited to see how the children continue to grow with this new addition to their day. 

Objectives Met:

16. Demonstrates knowledge of the alphabet
a. Identifies and names letters
b. Uses letter–sound knowledge
17. Demonstrates knowledge of print and its uses 

19. Demonstrates emergent writing skills
a. Writes name
b. Writes to convey meaning

Going Camping

This week we have seen children asking to carry their backpacks around the classroom to go "hiking". We extended on this interest by setting up a camping opportunity for the students. We created a tent-like space by hanging a sheet and the children used blocks to create a camp fire. We also used pillows and blankets to "sleep" in the tent. It was exciting to hear the children telling "scary ghost stories" and using maps to go hiking. 

Objectives Met:

"1. Regulates own emotions and behaviors
a. Manages feelings
b. Follows limits and expectations
c. Takes care of own needs appropriately
2. Establishes and sustains positive relationships
a. Forms relationships with adults
b. Responds to emotional cues
c. Interacts with peers
d. Makes friends
3. Participates cooperatively and constructively in group situations
a. Balances needs and rights of self and others
B. Solves social problems

Creating Pathways

Students have used different types of blocks to create pathways this week. We asked them to collaborate on a path during group time where they each added one piece to connect two points. We saw them adding different turns and roads to their original paths and testing them with their trucks and even their bodies!

Objectives Met: 

"3. Participates cooperatively and constructively in group situations 

a. Balances needs and rights of self and others 

B. Solves social problems"